Photo for British Passport. Size & requirements
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UK passport digital photo - photo size & requirements
Height: 45 mm
- Head height: 32.8 mm
- Top of the Photo to Top of the Hair: 4.9 mm
How to make a photo?
British printed passport photos requirements
- The main rule for good preparation of the UK passport photo is to look straight into the camera
- Have a neutral facial expression and be sure your mouth is closed
- Do not cover your face
- Have a contrast background on the photo (plain cream or light grey)
- Your eyes have to be open
- Face has to be visible and not covered by sunglasses, glasses frames, tinted glasses, or hair
- The covering of the head and face has to be reduced. It is not allowed to cover your head (except for medical or religious reasons)
- If you wear normal glasses, make sure that you do not have reflection or glare on them.
- Photo cannot have the ‘red eye’ effect
- Photo cannot have shadows on the picture
UK printed passport photo size
Your passport photo should be in colour, printed, clear and in focus. In addition it shouldn't have any tears or creases. It is also important to have a recent photo (taken recently within the last 1-6 months) that is not digitally changed.
In the photo you cannot be in the company of other people or objects. Your photo must include your full head and shoulders.
The image of your face should be visible from the top of your head to your chin - it has to be between 29mm and 34mm high. While applying for a British passport in the office, you should provide 2 photos.
The quality of your printed UK passport photos
Your photos must be printed on high-quality, white photographic paper with no border. Image has to be clean and in focus. You have to provide colour pictures without any creases or tears, taken on a clear and light background (preferably on white). Passport pictures should be unmarked on both sides, unless a photo needs to be countersigned. Pictures mustn’t be altered by computer software in any way.
How many printed passport photos do I need?
When applying for a British passport in the office, you should provide 2 photos. Every time you apply for a new document, you must take a new photo for your British passport. Even if not much time has passed since the previous time and your appearance has not changed at all. The photo must be taken within the last month, so this is a very short period compared to the requirements for passport photos in other European countries. If you provide out-of-date photos according to HM Passport Office requirements, your application will be rejected.
Posting your photos
If you send your photos by traditional mail, keep them separate from each other. You have to toss them loosely into the envelope - don't stick photos or staple them to your application. Photos must be left loose.
How should you look on your printed passport photo?
Rules for UK passport photos:
- The frame must cover your entire head, neck, and top of your shoulders.
- There must be no other people or objects in the photo.
- The photo must be taken against a bright clean background: white, cream or light gray.
- In the photo, your figure must be in contrast to the background.
- Sunglasses and tinted glasses are not allowed.
- Medical glasses are allowed but there must be no glare in the lenses.
- If you have glasses prescribed by your doctor, they must not cover the pupils or the shape of your eyes.
- The 'red eye' effect is not accepted.
How to pose for British passport photo?
- Stand straight (body and face facing straight ahead) and look straight into the camera lens.
- Have a neutral expression and mouth closed.
- Do not wear sparkling makeup.
- If you wear a long fringe, brush it aside.
- Make sure that the face oval and the jawline are visible.
- Do not smile, because such photos will be rejected.
- Eyes must be open and visible (pupils and irises).
- Make sure that the hair does not cover the eyes, eyebrows or parts of the face.
- You cannot wear headcovers (religious and medical headcovers are allowed).
- Make sure there are no shadows on the face, shoulders and the background of the photo.
How long does the online British passport application take?
The UK passport procedure can take around 6 weeks, but also it can be longer due to for example lack of some information while filling the form.
All other application types as renewing a passport or applying for a child passport should take 3 weeks. Time for that process is the same in case of applying through the Internet. Moreover, what is important you will save money, almost £10 by applying for the British passport online and uploading a digital photo!
Requirements for child passport photo
You have to know that children must be on their own in the picture. Babies are not allowed to hold toys or use dummies. Children who are younger than 6 years old don’t have to look directly at the camera. Children younger than 1 year old do not have to have their eyes open. In that situation, you can support the head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What size is a British passport photo?
A British passport photo should have the dimensions of 35x45 mm (3,5x4,5 cm). If you want to apply for the UK passport online you would have to submit a digital photo with the size of 900x1200 px.
❓ Where can I take a British passport photo near me?
There are many options where you may take a British passport photo. The most obvious, yet perhaps the least time-saving one would be a professional photography studio. However, there are many photo booths that allow taking UK passport photos. In our opinion, the easiest and most effective way to get a photo for the UK passport is to use our passport photo maker websites or mobile applications.
❓ Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
In order to be accepted, passport photos have to meet several requirements like the colour of the background or size of the photo. Hence, your phone camera might not let you take a valid passport photo, however, you can use a photo cropping tool or a passport photo maker that will edit your photo for you.
❓ Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
Sunglasses or tinted glasses are forbidden to wear. You can wear other glasses if you need to, but your eyes must be visible without any reflection or glare.
❓ Where can I print my passport photo?
You can print your British passport photo at home using a printer and glossy or matte photo paper. You can also use a printing service that will deliver your photos by post or go to a local photo studio to have the photos printed for you.
❓ Can I wear sunglasses or tinted glasses in a passport photo?
No. Sunglasses are not permitted in a passport photo and neither are tinted glasses since they impede full face recognition.
❓ Can I wear makeup in a passport photo?
Yes, you can wear makeup in a British passport photo but make sure you don’t overdo it. You should remain recognizable and your special facial characteristics, such as marks or wrinkles should be visible, otherwise, you can expect problems at the passport check when crossing the border.
❓ What is the passport photo size?
Every official document has requirements the photo has to meet in order to get accepted. The size is one of them. The size of a passport photo may vary depending on the country. In case of the UK passport photo size is 35mm x 45mm which is also the standard passport photo format in the European Union.
❓ Where can I get a passport photo taken near me?
You can search for a photography studio, a pharmacy or retail store where there are photo services offered or you can find a photo booth. Another option is to use shipping centers that offer photo services. The easiest way to prepare a British passport photo is to do it yourself using our professional passport photo maker. Choose the document you need a photo for, upload a selfie and receive a digital passport photo that meets all the requirements.
❓ Can I take my own passport photo UK?
Yes, all you need is a phone or a camera. Just take a selfie, upload it on our site or use our UK passport photo application and it will automatically edit the photo and generate a digital passport photo that meets all the official requirements and is ready to be attached to your UK passport application.
❓ Is there an app for taking passport photos?
Yes, there is, and it will definitely save you time and money. All you will have to do is to choose a document for which the photo needs to be suitable and take a selfie. Within 3 seconds, you will get to see the result! We highly recommend using this UK passport photos app, since not only it will crop and reframe your photo, but its face recognition software will check if your pose and facial expression meet all the passport photo requirements.
❓ What are the rules for passport photos?
Here are the main requirements that a British passport photo should meet:
- the photo size must be 45 mm x 35 mm
- it should not be cut down from a larger photograph
- you should be looking straight at the camera, with your eyes open and your mouth closed
- the head height should be between 29 and 34 mm
- the facial expression should be neutral
- if possible, remove the glasses from the photo
- you can cover your head only for religious or medical reasons
- there can not be other people or objects on the photo
- nothing should cover your face
- there should not be a “red-eye”
- make sure there are no shadows on the picture
- the background should be plain and light-coloured
- the photo should be sharp, clear and taken no later than 1 month before
❓ What are the rules for passport photos for children?
The mail rules fot passport photos for children you will find below:
- Babies can have their eyes closed.
- Children under 5 do not need to look at the camera or have a neutral facial expression.
- If you support the baby, it should not be seen in the photo.
- The photo should meet the rest of the standards.
❓ How much does a passport photo cost?
A passport size photo in the UK may cost over 10£ per set if you use an automated machine or visit a photo studio. It can also take you some time because you will have to wait for your photos to be ready. That can be easily avoided using our fast and professional passport photo maker or our passport photo app UK (link is on the bottom of page) that will prepare your digital passport photo in no time for only 5£.
❓ How do I crop a photo to passport size?
You can simply upload your photo on passport-photo.online after selecting the type of document you apply for and our photo cropping tool will edit your British passport photo assuring it’s of the right size and meets all the official requirements.
❓ How can I make my own passport photo?
You can easily make your own passport photo at home using your mobile phone, this is much cheaper and more convenient that going to a photo studio and receiving a photo that doesn’t meet your expectations. All you need to do is take a selfie and upload it on passport-photo.online. The passport photo generator will do everything for you, it will remove the shadows, edit and crop the UK passport photo and save it in with the right dimensions and format. You can review the digital passport photo and decide if you want to buy it. We offer a guarantee that the photo will be accepted at any office.
❓ What should I remember about while taking a passport photo?
While taking a passport photo:
- Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes
- Your eyes should remain open and visible
- Keep a neutral and relaxed facial expression and your mouth closed
- Sit straight, face forward and look straight at the camera
- Do not smile
❓ What should I wear in a passport photo?
Although you are allowed to wear almost all kinds of attire, we recommend wearing rather elegant clothing. It does not have to be a formal outfit, smart-casual will do as well.
About the document
UK Passport
The main and most common official documents which confirm an identity in the United Kingdom are passport and a driver’s licence. Additionally, in order to issue driving license and passport your identity might be confirmed by various documents, such as birth certificate, visa, residency permit and a firearms certificate, among others.
UK Passport is a document that confirms the identity of the holder mainly for international personal identification. It can be demanded at any time as a proof of identity and used as a travel document.
Apart from traditional form of applying for a UK passport, there is possibility to obtain it by internet. Generally passport photo has common requirements around the European Union as well as Great Britain, however, it is good to check the size and requirement before applying for a UK passport.
Applying for a British passport
A British Passport is a travel document that can be issued to persons holding British citizenship. UK passports are biometric. The document has three purposes: it allows you to travel between countries in accordance with visa requirements, it confirms the bearer's identity and is proof of UK citizenship. Moreover, having a document, a person can more easily obtain consular assistance from UK embassies around the world. Passports are issued by HM Passport Office, a branch of the British Home Office.
How to apply for a UK paper passport?
- Complete a paper passport application.
- Provide 2 identical images as required for printed passport photos.
- Find a ‘countersignatory’, which means someone who can confirm your identity.
- Attach supporting documents.
You can get a paper application form from either a Post Office that offers the Passport Check and Send service or from the Passport Adviceline. For the UK passport you can apply online, by mail or in person with the help of ‘Passport Check and Send service’. Applying for a paper passport costs £85 - you can pay by credit or debit card, by postal order or in cash (cash is acceptable in Passport Check and Send service only).
IMPORTANT: do not attach passport photos UK to the form permanently, only deliver them loosely.
Countersignatory for British passport
You have to find a countersignatory:
- When it’s your first British passport (adult or child).
- To replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport (adult or child).
- When renewing a child passport (if the child is aged 11 or under).
- To renew a passport (adult, or child aged 12 to 15 years).
- If you cannot be recognised from the photograph in your current British passport.
- To extend a passport (adult or child).
A countersignatory is a person who can confirm your identity, the data provided in the application is correct and the photo is of you. He/She must not be related to you by birth or marriage (including in-laws or partners of family members) and must have known you personally for at least 2 years. In addition, it has to be a professional person living in the UK and holding a British or Irish passport that has expired. The countersignatory must sign on the back one of the passport photos consistent with the formula: 'I certify that this is a true likeness of Mr John Smith'. Your countersignatory also has to sign and date one of your photos.
IMPORTANT: you may need to have an identity interview to confirm your identity and that the passport application is truly yours.
Supporting documents for applying for a British paper passport are:
- birth certificate,
- your current passport,
- naturalization or registration certificate (if applicable),
- mother’s or father’s full UK birth certificate, or certificate of registration or naturalization (if applicable),
- the foreign passport you’re included on (if applicable).
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