UK passport photo rules: size, background and digital photos

HM Passport Office rejects photos that break its rules, which delays your application. Here is what it asks for, for both the online application (a digital photo) and a paper application (printed photos).

Printed photos (paper applications)

Digital photos (online applications)

• At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall.
• File size between 50 KB and 10 MB.
• Taken in the last month, in colour, clear and in focus, with no red eye.
• Taken against a plain, light-coloured background, with clear contrast between you and the background.
• Show your head, shoulders and upper body. Don't crop it tightly: GOV.UK crops it for you.
• Not altered by computer software.

Photos from a photo booth or shop are more likely to be approved, but a photo taken at home is fine if someone else takes it and you follow the rules.

Your face and expression

• Face forwards and look straight at the camera, with a plain expression and your mouth closed.
• Eyes open and visible, with no hair in front of them.
• No shadows on your face or behind you.
• Avoid glasses if you can. If you must wear them, no sunglasses or tinted lenses, and no glare or frames covering your eyes.
• No head covering, unless it's for religious or medical reasons.

Babies and children

• Children must be alone in the photo. Babies can't hold toys or use dummies.
• Children under 6 don't have to look directly at the camera or have a plain expression.
• Babies under 1 don't need their eyes open. Lay them on a plain light-coloured sheet and take the photo from above.

How to take one at home

1. 1Stand about half a metre in front of a plain cream, light grey or white wall, facing a window for soft, even light.
2. 2Ask someone to take the photo from about 1.5 metres away, at your eye level. Don't take a selfie.
3. 3Choose the UK size in our passport photo maker. For the online application, choose “UK online application”; to print, choose 35×45 mm and the 4×6 in sheet.
4. 4Check the result, then upload it or print the sheet at a photo shop and cut along the lines.