UK Passport Photo Requirements: Full Rules Guide

At a glance

• How recent it must be: taken in the last month — a new photo is required for every application, even if you look the same.
• Printed photo size: 45mm high by 35mm wide, not cropped from a larger picture. The face itself (crown of the head to chin) must measure between 29mm and 34mm.
• Digital photo quality: at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, between 50KB and 10MB, unaltered by software.
• Background: plain cream or light-grey for printed photos, plain light-coloured for digital photos — no pattern, no shadows, no objects.
• Expression: facing forward, looking straight at the camera, plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible, no hair across the eyes.
• Glasses: not allowed by default; if medically necessary, no sunglasses or tinted lenses, and the frames must not obscure your eyes or cause glare.
• Head coverings: not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons, and both edges of the face must stay clearly visible.
• Babies and children: relaxed rules for under-6s (expression) and under-1s (eyes open); children must be photographed alone.
• Best route to approval: GOV.UK confirms a photo from a booth or shop is more likely to be accepted than one taken on your own device.

Digital photos vs printed photos

Which type of photo you need depends on how you're applying.

If you're applying or renewing online, you need a digital photo. You can either get one with a code from a photo booth or shop before you start, or take one yourself using your own device during the application, with someone else's help. GOV.UK is explicit that photos from a booth or shop are more likely to be approved than one taken on your own device.

If you're applying using a paper form, you need 2 identical printed photos, produced from the same file or negative. They must be left loose and separated from each other when you post your application — never attach them to the form.

In both cases, the photo must have been taken within the last month, and you need a fresh one for every new application, even if your appearance hasn't changed.

Size and technical requirements

Printed photos

Printed photos must measure 45mm high by 35mm wide — the standard size used in UK photo booths. Within that frame, the image of your face, measured from the crown of your head to your chin, must be between 29mm and 34mm high. The photo must not be a cut-down version of a larger picture, and it must be printed to a professional standard on plain white photographic paper with no border, without creases or tears, and unaltered by computer software.

Digital photos

Digital photos used for an online application must be:

• at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
• between 50KB and 10MB in file size
• clear and in focus, in colour, and unaltered by computer software

If you're using a photo taken on your own device, you should include your head, shoulders and upper body — you don't need to crop it, as this is done for you during the application.

Expression, glasses and head coverings

For both digital and printed photos, GOV.UK requires you to:

• face forwards and look straight at the camera
• hold a plain expression with your mouth closed
• keep your eyes open and clearly visible, with no hair in front of them
• avoid any shadows on your face or behind you
• avoid anything covering your face, and avoid 'red eye'

Glasses: the default rule is no glasses. If you must wear them for medical reasons, the frames must not cover your eyes, and there must be no glare, reflection or shadow on the lenses. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are never accepted, regardless of the reason.

Head coverings: these are not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons. HM Passport Office's guidance for photographers confirms that, where a head covering is allowed, both edges of your face must still be clearly visible and there must be no shadow across it.

Photos of babies and young children

The rules soften for younger applicants:

• Children must be on their own in the photo — no other objects or people, and babies must not be holding toys or using a dummy.
• Children under 6 do not have to look directly at the camera or hold a plain expression.
• Babies under 1 do not need their eyes open. You can support their head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the final photo.
• HM Passport Office's guidance for photographers recommends laying babies under 12 months on a plain light-grey sheet and photographing them from above, rather than trying to hold them upright against a backdrop.

If you're applying for a child's first passport, see our guide on applying for a UK child passport for the wider process alongside the photo rules.

How to get your photo taken

You have three practical options:

1. A photo booth that issues a digital code. Choose the option to get a code with your photos before you start your online application. You'll enter the code during the application and the photo is added automatically.
2. A photography shop. Many offer the same code-based service as booths, plus printed photos for paper applications.
3. Your own device. For online applications only, you can take a photo yourself with someone else's help during the application. GOV.UK is clear that this route is less likely to be approved first time than a booth or shop photo, so only use it if you're confident you can meet every rule on background, lighting and framing.

What happens if your photo is rejected

GOV.UK states plainly that your application will be delayed if your photos don't meet the rules. Nothing moves forward until a compliant photo is provided, so it pays to check every requirement — recency, size, background, expression, glasses and head coverings — before you submit.

Some applications also require a countersigned photo, for example for a first adult passport or where your appearance has changed significantly since your last passport photo. See our guide on countersigning a UK passport application for how that process works.

If you're disabled and find it difficult to meet the standard requirements, GOV.UK signposts additional help with passport photos — HM Passport Office will accept the best image possible together with a supporting statement.

Step-by-step: getting it right first time

1. Take the photo within the last month. Don't reuse an older photo, even if you think it still looks like you — GOV.UK requires a fresh one for every application.
2. Choose your route. Use a booth or shop with a digital-code service if you can, since GOV.UK confirms this is more likely to be approved than a photo taken on your own device.
3. Check the background. Plain cream or light grey for printed photos, plain light-coloured for digital — no pattern, no shadows, no objects behind you.
4. Check your pose. Face forward, look straight at the camera, plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open, hair clear of your eyes. Remove glasses unless medically necessary, and remove any head covering unless it's for religious or medical reasons.
5. Check the size. Printed: 45mm x 35mm overall, face 29mm–34mm crown to chin. Digital: at least 600 x 750 pixels, 50KB–10MB.
6. For a paper application, keep your two prints loose and separate when you post them — do not attach them to the form.
7. For a child or baby, photograph them alone against a plain background, and for babies under 12 months, consider photographing them from above on a plain light-grey sheet.

This guide provides general information about UK passport photo requirements. It is not legal advice and is not a substitute for advice tailored to your specific circumstances. The guidance described was accurate as at August 2026 and is subject to change — always check GOV.UK for the most current position before you apply.

Last reviewed: August 2026 · Next review due: August 2027 or on GOV.UK guidance change.