UK Passport Photo Guide

The standards for passport photos

The photographs must be:

• identical;
• recent (taken within the last month);
• 45 millimetres (mm) high x 35 millimetres (mm) wide (please do not trim your photographs to meet this condition);
• taken against an off-white, cream or light grey plain background so that your features are clearly distinguishable against the background;
• printed on low-gloss, plain white photo-quality paper (with no watermarks, embossing or printing on the back);
• free from copyright, for example, do not send school photographs as these are produced under copyright;
• undamaged, for example, by creases from paperclips;
• of you on your own (no toys, dummies or other people visible);
• a close-up of your head and shoulders so that your head, from the bottom of your chin to your crown (that is, the top of your head without hair), is between 29mm and 34mm high. and your eyes are in the area marked by the shaded band above;
• clear of writing on the front and back.

The photographs must:

• be in sharp focus and clear;
• have a strong definition between the face and background;
• be printed professionally.

Photographs printed at home are not likely to be of an acceptable quality

The photographs must show:

• no shadows;
• you facing forwards, looking straight towards the camera;
• a neutral expression, with your mouth closed;
• your eyes open and clearly visible (with no sunglasses or heavily tinted glasses, and no hair across your eyes);
• no reflection or glare on your glasses, and the frames should not cover your eyes (you may find it easier to remove your glasses);
• your full head, without any head covering, unless it is worn for religious beliefs or medical reasons;
• nothing covering your face.

Please make sure nothing covers the outline of your eyes, nose or mouth

Please see the links below for more detailed information:

• Guidelines for members of the public (pdf, 1.6 MB, new window)
• Guidelines for commercial photographers (pdf, 88 kB, new window)
• Home Office Identity & Passport Service website (new window)

Passport Adviceline: 0870 521 0410

Passport Photo Cameras Available at Mashco:

• Fujifilm FinePix Passport ID Basic Kit
• Fujifilm FinePix Passport ID Full Kit
• Sony UPX-C300 Instant Passport Photo System