Get a biometric citizen card photo in the UK (Quickly & Cheaply)

Quick read - for people in a hurry

Photo standards: Passport-quality, 45×35mm (printed) or JPG min. 640×480 (digital). Colour, light background, no filters, neutral face, eyes open, no shadows.
Online applications: Upload a compliant digital photo (≤25MB).
Children: Under 5 don’t need neutral expression; under 1 don’t need eyes open.
Application process: Start on the CitizenCard website, create an account, and upload an approved photo.
Best choice: Use Smartphone iD for an inexpensive, fast, AI + expert checked Citizen Card photo in minutes.

Is your UK Citizen card application completed and ready to submit, only you’ve realised that you need compliant photos?

And there’s not a photo booth or studio in sight. Use ‘Smartphone iD’ today to enjoy the convenience of getting your compliant photos taken at home in less than five minutes. Sounds good? Let’s go!

Last update: 24/09/2025

Table of Contents

1 What are the biometric Citizen Card Photo standards in the UK?

2 Why take a photo by yourself at home?

3 How to take a photo?

4 How to apply for a Citizen card in the UK?

5 Why do you need photo validation from an expert?

6 Why should you use the Smartphone iD app?

7 How to use the Smartphone iD app?

What are the biometric Citizen Card photo standards in the UK?

Photos must be passport-quality and comply with CitizenCard specifications to avoid delays in your application.

For paper or printed applications

Provide two identical colour photos sized exactly 45mm high by 35mm wide.
Photos must be printed on high-quality white photographic paper (e.g., from a photo booth or professional studio).
Photos must not be torn, creased, or marked.
One photo must be physically attached to the application form; the other must be countersigned by your referee but not attached.
A photocopy of your ID, countersigned by the verifier, must be included (do not send the original ID).

For online applications

Upload a digital photo in JPG format.
Minimum resolution: 640 x 480 pixels (or 480 x 640).
Maximum file size: 25MB.
Photos can be professional, scanned from a printed photo, or a smartphone selfie meeting passport photo standards.

Photo characteristics

Taken within the last month.
In colour, clear, and in focus.
Taken against a plain, light-coloured background.
Unaltered by software filters or editing tools.
No other objects or people in the photo.
Close-up of full head and upper shoulders.
Face must be in clear contrast with the background.
Applicant must face forward, looking straight at the camera.
Neutral expression with mouth closed (no smiling, frowning, or pouting).
Eyes open, visible, and free from glare or reflection on glasses.
No sunglasses or tinted glasses allowed.
Hair must not cover eyes.
No face coverings except for religious or medical reasons.
No headwear such as hats, caps, or fashion accessories.
No shadows on face or background.
No artificial markings, heavy makeup, or facial drawings.

Special considerations for young children (paper/printed applications only)

Children aged five and under do not need a neutral expression or to look straight at the camera.
Babies under one year old do not need to have their eyes open.
All other photo standards still apply.

Why take a photo by yourself at home?

For most people, it would seem obvious that taking a Citizen Card photo by yourself at home saves time and effort, but it’s not only that.

At home, you don’t need to stand in front of a professional photographer, nor feel the anxiety of getting it right with three takes in a photo booth. Instead, you can do unlimited shots to get the best look.

There is one risk, though: if you choose to do it at home, it might not be accepted by the official authorities. And that’s the reason why you should try Smartphone iD app.

Not only does it deliver the photo in the correct format with the right background colour, but it also offers a photo check by a trained professional.

It’s cheaper than any other expert service provider on the market and offers a full refund if the photo is refused by the authorities.

How to take a photo?

Your smartphone’s rear camera has the best quality. These photos will turn out better than those in selfie mode. Nevertheless, with Smartphone iD app, you can choose either camera.

Our all-in-one app will guide you through 4 simple steps for taking a compliant UK Citizen Card photo. Once you’re there, we’ll make sure they’re certified with our AI and biometrics team and send them straight back!

How to apply for a Citizen card in the UK?

Whenever you’re out on the go, having a form of ID can always be handy. Whether you’re shopping for age-restricted products or going to a job interview, a Citizen card can help to prove your identity and age. It all starts when you begin filling out your Citizen Card application online or find an application form at a Post Office.

So, how do you apply for a Citizen card in the UK online?

Navigate to the CitizenCard application website
Read the instructions
Make sure you have a passport-quality digital photo
Click ‘Start a New Application for a CitizenCard’
Create an account to begin

To complete your application, you will need a passport-quality digital photo, or your application will likely be delayed or denied altogether. Why not try the Smartphone iD app to get professional pre-approved biometric photos for your Citizen card, by using your smartphone!

Why do you need photo validation from an expert?

We all know that document renewal applications are a lengthy and tricky procedure. The smallest mistake leads to extra time needed for clarification.

An invalid UK Citizen Card photo is the number one reason for official document application rejections. If you have your photo pre-checked by a professionally trained expert, you eliminate possible rejection due to a bad photo.

In addition, did you know that different documents have varying photo criteria and standards? Needless to say, all this expertise is included in Smartphone iD service. You can be 100% confident that your UK Citizen card is to the UK government’s standards. If it isn’t, then we’ll give you a full refund.

Why should you use the Smartphone iD app?

There are plenty of photo sizing tools online. But most of them don’t guarantee government acceptance, nor customer service in case of an unsuccessful photo.

What you need is an all-inclusive service for the best price on the market—a service that provides expertise, fast photo formatting, and professional delivery.

With the ‘Smartphone iD’ app, not only can you get certified UK digital Citizen card photos for £7.84, but you can also get professional-grade photographic prints for £3.31. All without having to go through a lengthy process like visiting a photo booth or studio!

How to use the Smartphone iD app?

With Smartphone iD app you don’t need to know any document parameters. Instead, simply take a photo through the app, choose UK Citizen card as your document type, and receive successfully verified photos within a few minutes.

Our great price and money-back guarantee will leave you feeling pleasantly surprised, not to mention the easy photo-taking process and no appointments!

Create your ID photo online with Smartphone iD, available on Apple or Google Play Store. You will get 100% guaranteed photos in a matter of minutes.

Sources

https://www.citizencard.com/photo-guidance