Essential guide to United Kingdom photo document requirements

General guidelines for photos of babies and children

For Children, photos should meet the same requirements for adults, but with some leniency.

• The child must be solo in the picture, without toys or dummies.
• For babies under one, use a plain light-coloured sheet for the background. Take the photo from above without any visible support from your hand.
• Children under six years and babies under one have more relaxed rules regarding facing the camera, expressions, and eye visibility.

Digital UK photo document requirement for online applications

As with the offline process, a digital photo is mandatory for an online passport application.

Acquiring a digital photo

You have two primary options for obtaining a digital passport photo.

1. Take your photo on PassportPhotos.com: There is no need to go anywhere, waste time, or stand in line to get your photo. Our website lets you take your passport photo at home with your mobile device or PC – all completely online. Each order will include a single photo digital file ready for your online passport app submission.
2. Photo Booth or Shop: Be sure to choose the service that provides you with a code alongside your photos. Enter this code during your application when uploading your digital photo.

Photos obtained from a booth or shop generally have a higher approval rate than those taken with personal devices. However, you can use our service to guarantee acceptance of a photo you take with your smartphone or PC webcam. Get started here.

Digital photo quality requirements

Your digital photo must meet the following.

• Clear, focused, and in color.
• Unedited by computing software.
• Minimum 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall.
• Sized between 50KB and no more than 10MB.

Digital photo composition requirements

Your photo composition must be as follows.

• Be solo, with no other objects or people in the frame.
• Take the photo against a plain light-coloured background, ensuring clear contrast.
• Avoid the ‘red eye’ effect.

Printed photo requirements for UK passport applications

We recommend you take the photo yourself with PassportPhotos.com and take advantage of our Print and Ship service, where we will make sure your photo is printed according to the requirements below. If you still want to print it yourself, please follow these guidelines.

• You must supply two identical printed photos if you apply with a paper form.
• Ensure your photo was snapped within the last month to maintain the application’s accuracy.
• The two photos provided should measure 45 millimetres (mm) high by 35mm wide.
• Avoid using cropped versions of larger images.
• For photos from booths outside the UK, verify their capability to produce images that meet the required size.
• The portion showcasing your face, from the top of your head to your chin, should span between 29mm and 34mm.

The application process could be slowed or delayed if your photos fail to adhere to the specified rules above. Assistance with passport photos is available for disabled individuals.

Quality standards for printed photos

• Photos must be professionally printed, clear, focused, and printed on plain white photographic paper without borders.
• Ensure the photos are free from creases and tears and unmarked on both sides, except when countersignature is needed.
• The photos must be genuine and not modified by any computer software.

Composition and clarity

• Photos should closely capture your whole head and upper shoulders against a plain cream or light grey background.
• Avoid ‘red eye.’
• Ensure the face and shoulders are visible without shadows.

Sending your printed photos

When mailing your application, keep the photos separate and not attached to the form to ensure they meet the required standards and help avoid processing delays. Alternatively, you could apply for your passport online and ensure you

submit a compliant digital photo using our web app.

Streamlining your United Kingdom photo documentation

Getting your passport photos is effortless with passportphotos.com, be it for an online passport application or paper form. Our AI software simplifies taking your photo and ensures it meets every specification automatically. Just upload or take a photo using your device, and you’ll be done in just 3 minutes.