Quick Reference: UK Passport Photo Specs
| Requirement | Digital Photos | Printed Photos |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | Min. 600 × 750 pixels | 45mm × 35mm |
| Head height | Auto-cropped by system | 29–34mm (chin to crown) |
| File format | JPEG only | Printed on photo paper |
| File size | 50KB – 10MB | N/A |
| Background | Plain cream or light grey | |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, no smile | |
| Recency | Taken within last month | |
Digital Photo Requirements
If you're applying for your UK passport online (which is cheaper and faster), you'll need to submit a digital photo. Here are the exact specifications required by HM Passport Office:
Technical Specifications
- Minimum size: 600 pixels wide × 750 pixels tall
- Recommended size: 900 × 1200 pixels for optimal quality
- File format: JPEG only (.jpg or .jpeg)
- File size: Between 50KB and 10MB
- Colour: Must be in colour (not black and white)
Composition Rules
When taking a digital photo, include your head, shoulders, and upper body. Don't worry about cropping—the online system will automatically crop your photo to the correct dimensions. Focus on getting the quality and positioning right.
Do
- • Take photo in natural daylight
- • Face the camera directly
- • Keep eyes open and visible
- • Use a plain light background
- • Ensure even lighting on face
Don't
- • Use filters or edit the photo
- • Have shadows on your face
- • Include other people or objects
- • Crop the photo yourself
- • Use an old photo
Printed Photo Requirements
If you're applying by post using a paper form, you'll need two identical printed photos. These have stricter size requirements than digital photos:
Size Specifications
- Photo size: 45mm high × 35mm wide
- Head height: 29–34mm from chin to crown of head
- Top margin: About 4–5mm between top of head and edge
- Quantity: 2 identical photos required
Print Quality Requirements
- Printed to professional standard on plain white photo paper
- No borders around the photo
- No creases, tears, or marks on either side
- Not cropped from a larger photo
- Home-printed inkjet photos are not recommended—they often lack the quality needed
Important
If your photo needs countersigning, only write on the back of one photo. The countersignatory should write: "I certify that this is a true likeness of [full name]" along with their signature and date.
Appearance Rules
These rules apply to both digital and printed photos. Getting your appearance right is crucial—these are the most common reasons for photo rejection.
Face & Expression
- Neutral expression with mouth closed—no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows
- Face the camera directly—head shouldn't be tilted or turned
- Eyes must be open and clearly visible
- No hair covering your eyes or face
- Nothing covering your face (masks, face paint, etc.)
Background
- Plain light-coloured background—cream or light grey is ideal
- No patterns, textures, or gradients
- No objects or other people visible
- Clear contrast between you and the background
- Avoid pure white backgrounds—they can cause contrast issues
Lighting
- Even, balanced lighting on your face
- No shadows on your face or on the background behind you
- No red-eye effect
- Natural daylight is usually best—face a window for even illumination
Photo Quality
- Clear and in focus—not blurry or pixelated
- Unedited—no filters, retouching, or "corrections"
- No red-eye (including digitally corrected red-eye)
- Taken within the last month
Babies & Children: Special Rules
Taking passport photos of babies and young children can be challenging. Fortunately, HMPO has relaxed some rules for younger applicants:
Babies Under 1 Year
- Eyes don't need to be open (though it's preferable)
- A supporting hand is allowed—but must not be visible in the photo
- Lay baby on a plain light-coloured sheet and photograph from above
Children Under 6 Years
- Don't need to look directly at camera
- Don't need a plain expression—slight smile is okay
Rules That Still Apply to All Children
- Child must be alone in the photo—no parents or siblings visible
- No toys, dummies, or bottles
- Same background and quality requirements as adults
- Photo must be taken within the last month
Tips for Baby Photos
- Time it right—take the photo when your baby is calm, such as after a nap
- Use natural light—position near a window for even lighting
- Use a plain sheet—lay baby on a plain light grey or cream sheet
- Photograph from above—stand directly over the baby looking down
- Have a helper—one person can gently support baby's head (keeping hand hidden) while the other takes the photo
Glasses & Head Coverings
Glasses Rules
HMPO strongly recommends removing glasses to avoid rejection. However, you may wear them if you have a medical condition that requires it.
If You Must Wear Glasses
- • Eyes must be clearly visible
- • No glare or reflections on lenses
- • Thin frames that don't cover eyes
- • Frames shouldn't cast shadows
Never Allowed
- • Sunglasses
- • Tinted lenses
- • Transition lenses (even if clear)
- • Heavy frames covering eyes
Head Coverings
Head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. This includes hijabs, turbans, yarmulkes, and medical head coverings for conditions like alopecia.
If You Wear a Religious/Medical Head Covering
- Your full face must be visible—from chin to forehead, and both sides
- The covering must not cast shadows on your face
- Avoid white or very light colours that blend with the background
- Darker colours (blue, green, burgundy) work well for contrast
Not Allowed
- • Hats (baseball caps, beanies, etc.)
- • Fashion headwear or accessories
- • Any covering that obscures facial features
- • Coverings that cast shadows on the face
Common Reasons Photos Get Rejected
Photo rejection is the single most common cause of passport application delays. According to HMPO data, roughly 1 in 5 online applications face delays due to photo issues. Here are the most frequent problems:
Incorrect size or dimensions
Photo doesn't meet pixel or millimetre requirements
Shadows on face or background
Uneven lighting creating visible shadows
Wrong background
Dark, patterned, or pure white backgrounds
Poor quality
Blurry, pixelated, or out of focus
Glasses glare or reflections
Light reflecting off glasses lenses
Wrong expression
Smiling, mouth open, or eyes closed
Digital alterations
Using filters, retouching, or AI enhancements
Photo too old
Not taken within the last month
What Happens If Your Photo Is Rejected?
If your photo doesn't meet requirements, HMPO will contact you (by email for online applications, by post for paper applications) explaining the issue. Your application will be put on hold, and you'll have a specified timeframe to submit a new photo.
- No additional fee—you don't pay again for the photo resubmission
- Don't miss the deadline—if you do, your application is cancelled without refund
- Processing time restarts—expect additional weeks of delay
Where to Get UK Passport Photos
You have several options for getting your passport photo taken. Each has its own advantages and price points:
| Option | Typical Cost | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo Booths (Tesco, Boots, Post Office) | £6–£13 | Convenient, includes digital code | Variable quality, limited retakes |
| Professional Photographer | £10–£25 | Best quality, expert guidance | Most expensive, need appointment |
| Online Services (like EasyPassportPhoto) | £5–£10 | Cheapest, from home, compliance checked | Requires decent phone camera |
| Post Office Check & Send | £16+ | Photo + application check included | Expensive, in-person visit required |
Photo Booth Locations
Photo booths can be found at most major supermarkets and retail locations:
- Tesco—Max Spielmann booths in many larger stores
- Boots—In-store booths with staff assistance available
- Post Office—Over 11,500 branches, but not all have photo facilities
- Sainsbury's, ASDA, Morrisons—Supermarket locations vary
Use each retailer's store finder and filter for "passport photo" or "photo booth" to find your nearest location.
UK Passport Fees (From April 2025)
Passport fees increased in April 2025. Online applications are cheaper than paper— and they're processed faster too. Here are the current fees:
| Application Type | Adult (16+) | Child (under 16) |
|---|---|---|
| Online (standard) | £94.50 | £61.50 |
| Paper application (post) | £107 | £74 |
| 1-Week Fast Track | £166.50 | — |
| Same-Day Premium | £222 | — |
Note: Fees are the same for new passports and renewals. Fast Track and Premium services are not available for first-time child passports. If you were born on or before 2 September 1929, your passport is free.
Processing Times
- Online applications: Around 3 weeks on average
- Paper applications: Up to 10 weeks
- Fast Track: 1 week
- Premium (same-day): Collect within 4 hours of appointment
During peak periods (January, Easter, summer holidays), processing times may be longer. HMPO recommends applying at least 10 weeks before travel during busy periods.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Official Sources
This guide is based on official UK government guidance. For the most up-to-date requirements, always check the official sources: