UK Passport Photo Checklist
Rules for both printed photos and the digital photo used in the online application.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Printed size | 35 mm wide × 45 mm high. Do not trim a larger photo down to size. |
| Head size | 29–34 mm from the crown of the head to the bottom of the chin. |
| Background | Plain light-coloured background. Light grey or cream works best; pure white can be rejected. |
| Digital file | At least 600 px wide and 750 px tall, between 50 KB and 10 MB, clear and in colour. |
| Lighting | Even light on the face with no shadows behind the head. Natural daylight is ideal. |
| Expression | Plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open, facing the camera directly. Do not smile or frown. |
| Glasses | Remove them if you can. If you must wear them, the frames and glare must not cover your eyes. |
| Head coverings | Allowed for religious or medical reasons, as long as the full face is visible. |
| Photo age | Taken within the last month for an online application. |
Digital vs Printed: Two Different Rule Sets
The online application and the paper form do not accept the same file, and the printed rules include one trap most people miss.
| Route | Format | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Online application | Digital JPEG | At least 600×750 px, 50 KB to 10 MB, taken in the last month. Do not crop it yourself — include your head, shoulders and upper body. |
| Paper form | 2 identical prints | 35×45 mm, printed to a professional standard, no border, and not a cut-down version of a larger picture. |
| Photo booth or shop | Digital code | Enter the code during the online application. Booth photos are more likely to be approved than a photo taken on your own device. |
| Home printing | Printed | A cut-down 35×45 mm crop from a 4×6 sheet does not meet the printed-photo rules. Use a photo lab for paper applications. |
Take a UK Passport Photo at Home
One photo works for both the printed form and the online application.
Find the right wall
Stand about 1.5 metres from a plain light grey or cream wall. Face a window so your face is evenly lit and no shadow falls behind you.
Crop with the UK preset
Choose “UK Passport (35x45 mm)” in Proper. The app aligns your head to the 29–34 mm range and produces the correct light background.
Export and submit
Use the digital export for the online form (at least 600×750 px), or print the 4×6 inch sheet for a paper application.
Photos of Babies and Children
GOV.UK relaxes several rules for young children and explains exactly how to photograph a baby.
| Age | What changes |
|---|---|
| Under 6 | They do not have to look directly at the camera or hold a plain expression. |
| Under 1 | Eyes do not have to be open. You can support the head with your hand, but your hand must not appear in the photo. |
| Babies | Lie them on a plain light-coloured sheet and shoot from above. No toys or dummies in the frame. |
Why UK Photos Get Rejected
These are the mistakes that most often delay a UK passport application.
| Common problem | How to fix it |
|---|---|
| Pure white background on a printed photo | Use a plain cream or light grey background. White can merge with light clothing and fail the contrast rule. |
| Head outside 29–34 mm | Recrop so the crown-to-chin distance sits inside the range. Too small a head is rejected even at the right paper size. |
| Shadows on the face or wall | Stand about 1 m from the wall and face the light. Avoid ceiling spotlights that cast shadows under the eyes. |
| Smile or open mouth | Keep a plain expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open. |
| Glasses glare | Remove glasses if you can. If you must wear them, no tinted lenses and no frames or reflections over the eyes. |
| Photo older than one month | Retake it. UK applications require a photo taken in the last month, even for a renewal. |
| A cut-down print | Paper applications must not use a 35×45 mm crop cut from a larger photo. Order the correct print size from a lab. |
UK Passport Photo Questions
What background color does a UK passport photo need?
Use a plain light-coloured background. A light grey or cream wall works best. Pure white and dark backgrounds can cause the photo to be rejected.
What size is a UK passport photo?
Printed UK passport photos must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm high, with the head measuring between 29 mm and 34 mm from the crown to the chin.
Can I smile in a UK passport photo?
No. You need a plain expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open. Do not smile or frown.
How old can a UK passport photo be?
The photo must have been taken in the last month for online applications. Older photos can delay the application.
What is a digital photo code?
Some UK photo booths and shops give you a short code that links your photo to the online passport application. A digital file you take yourself works the same way — upload it at the photo step in the online form.
What are the UK digital passport photo requirements?
The digital file must be clear, in colour, unaltered, at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, and between 50 KB and 10 MB.
Can I wear glasses in a UK passport photo?
Only if you have to. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are never allowed, and the frames, glare, or reflections must not cover your eyes. Removing them is the safest option.
Do I need a new photo every time I renew my UK passport?
Yes. GOV.UK requires a new photo for every passport application, even if your appearance has not changed, and it must have been taken in the last month.
Can I cut a 35x45 mm photo from a larger print?
Not for a paper application. Printed photos must not be a cut-down version of a larger picture, so order the correct size from a photo lab.
What do I send with a paper application?
Two identical 35×45 mm photos printed to a professional standard. Leave them loose and separate — do not attach them to the form.
Official UK Sources
These are the GOV.UK pages we check before each update. Digital and printed photos have separate rule pages.
Other Official Photo Sizes
Ready to create your UK passport photo?
Download Proper, choose the UK preset, and export a photo with the correct light background.
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