What are the British passport photo requirements? (2026 full guide)

Quick read – for people in a hurry

Photo size: 45 × 35 mm; face height 29–34 mm.
Digital photos: 600 × 750 px, 50 KB–10 MB.
Plain light grey background, colour only, no shadows.
Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed; no smiling.
Smartphone iD app is the easiest way to get a compliant photo + digital photo code from home.

Meeting the UK passport photo requirements is essential for a successful application. His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO) sets strict rules on size, background, expression, and photo quality, and many applications are delayed each year due to non-compliant photos.

This guide covers every HMPO requirement, including the rules that most often cause rejections.

Last Update: 26/05/2026

Table of contents

British passport photo size and dimensions

Printed passport photos must be:

45 mm high × 35 mm wide
printed on high-quality photo paper with no borders
between 29 mm and 34 mm from chin to crown

Digital passport photos must be:

at least 600 pixels wide × 750 pixels tall
between 50 KB and 10 MB in file size
in colour
not digitally altered, filtered or manipulated

The photo must show your head, neck and the top of your shoulders. Do not include your full body.

Background colour requirements

The background must be plain and light-coloured, such as light grey or cream. This is one of the most misunderstood requirements for UK passport photos, particularly for applicants used to passport rules in other countries.

What is not acceptable:

patterned, textured or coloured backgrounds
visible furniture, objects or shadows
shadows falling across the background
a background that does not contrast clearly with your face and hair

If you are taking the photo at home, a plain light-coloured wall in a naturally lit room usually works best.

Expression and face requirements

Your expression must be neutral throughout the photo. This means:

mouth closed, lips together, no teeth showing
no smile, not even a slight one
no frowning, raised eyebrows, squinting or exaggerated expression
face relaxed and resting naturally

The no-smile rule exists because UK passports are biometric. Facial recognition technology measures distances between landmarks on your face, and smiling can distort those measurements.

Eyes, hair and head position

Both eyes must be open and clearly visible.
Look directly into the camera.
Hold your head straight, with no tilting or rotation.
Keep hair away from your eyes and face.
Avoid red-eye by not using flash.

Your full face must be visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead.

Glasses rules

You should remove glasses for a UK passport photo if possible. This helps avoid glare, reflections and frames covering the eyes.

If you must wear glasses for medical reasons:

your eyes must be fully visible
there must be no glare or reflection
the lenses must not be tinted
the frames must not cover your eyes

In practice, removing glasses is the safest approach.

Head coverings

Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons. If you wear one, your full face must remain visible from the bottom of your chin to the top of your forehead.

The following are not allowed:

fashion hats or caps
scarves worn for style
decorative headbands
hoods
accessories that hide your face or alter your outline

Clothing and accessories

Wear everyday clothing.
Avoid uniforms.
Choose clothing that contrasts with the background.
Avoid white or very pale tops against a light background.
Remove accessories that obscure the face.
Avoid large earrings, sunglasses, scarves or large hair clips.

Makeup

Only minimal, natural-looking makeup is recommended. Heavy makeup can alter your appearance and may interfere with automated facial recognition checks or human review.

Keep your look natural so the photo is a clear and accurate representation of how you look in everyday life.

Lighting and photo quality

The photo must be:

clear, sharp and in focus
well lit
evenly lit
in colour
free from shadows on the face or background
not altered with filters, beauty mode or editing software

For best results, use natural light from a window rather than flash.

The 1-month recency rule

Your passport photo must have been taken within the last month before you submit your application.

A photo taken too early may be rejected, even if it meets the other technical requirements. Take your photo within a few days of submitting your application to be safe.

This rule applies to adults, children, and babies, and to both new applications and renewals.

Rules for babies and children

HMPO applies more flexible rules for very young children.

Babies under 1:

place the baby on a plain, light-coloured fabric
take the photo from directly above
eyes do not need to be open
no toys, dummies or bottles visible
you may support the baby’s head, but your hand must not be visible

Children under 6:

do not need to look directly at the camera
do not need a neutral expression
must still be alone in the photo with a plain background

Children aged 6 and over:

The same rules apply as for adults: neutral expression, eyes open, and looking at the camera.

Countersignature requirements

You may need a countersignature if you are:

applying for your first adult or child passport
replacing a lost, stolen or damaged passport
renewing, and your appearance has changed significantly

The countersignatory must be a recognised professional who has known you for at least two years and is not a relative.

For online applications, identity is usually confirmed digitally and no signed printed photo is needed.

Most common rejection reasons and how to avoid them

Photo taken more than 1 month ago. Take a fresh photo within days of applying

Wrong background. Use a plain light-coloured background

Glasses glare. Remove glasses if possible

Smiling or non-neutral expression. Keep your face relaxed, mouth closed and no smile

Shadows. Use soft, even natural light

Head too small or too large. Check the final crop and framing

Incorrect dimensions. Use 45 × 35 mm for print and 600 × 750 px minimum for digital

Blurry image. Take several shots and choose the sharpest

Cropped too tightly. Show head, neck and top of shoulders

How to take a UK passport photo at home?

You can take your UK passport photo at home using the Smartphone iD app on iOS or Android. This is a convenient option if you want to avoid visiting a photo booth or photographer.

Here is how to take your photo with Smartphone iD:

Download the Smartphone iD app on iOS or Android.
Select United Kingdom and Passport.
Stand in front of a plain, light-coloured background.
Use natural light and avoid shadows on your face or behind you.
Ask someone else to take the photo, do not take a selfie.
Face the camera directly with your head straight.
Keep your eyes open and your mouth closed.
Keep a neutral expression, no smiling.
Remove glasses if possible.
Submit the photo through the app for checking.

Where to get a British passport photo?

If you search for a “British passport photo near me”, you will usually find photo booths, high street photo shops, pharmacies, professional photographers and selected Post Office branches. These options can work, but they often require travel, waiting time and an extra trip if the photo is rejected.

For a faster and more convenient option, use the Smartphone iD app on iOS or Android. You can take your UK passport photo from home, submit it through the app, and receive a checked digital passport photo and photo code by email. This is especially useful if you want a compliant passport photo near you without leaving home.

Read also

Check and Send service

Some Post Office branches offer a Check and Send service, where staff check your application and passport photo before submitting it.

The service is available at selected Post Office locations; not all branches offer it.

Get a compliant photo with Smartphone iD

Instead of searching for a photo booth or photographer, you can get a compliant UK passport photo from home using the Smartphone iD app, available on iOS and Android.

Here is how it works:

Download the app and select United Kingdom and Passport.
Take your photo at home, the app guides you on framing, lighting and expression.
Submit your photo for checking.
Our system and photo experts verify the image against HMPO requirements.
Receive a checked digital photo and photo code by email, ready for your application.

Every photo comes with an acceptance guarantee or a full refund.

FAQ

What are the British passport photo requirements?

A UK passport photo must be 45 × 35 mm for printed photos or at least 600 × 750 px for digital photos. It must have a plain light-coloured background, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and no digital editing.

Can I wear glasses in a British passport photo?

You should remove glasses if possible. If you must wear them for medical reasons, your eyes must be fully visible, with no glare, reflection or tinted lenses.

What colour should the background be for a UK passport photo?

The background must be plain and light-coloured, such as light grey or cream.

Can I smile in a UK passport photo?

No. You must keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes open.

How recent does a UK passport photo need to be?

Your passport photo must have been taken within the last month.

How do I send my photo for a UK passport application?

For an online application, you can upload a digital photo directly or use a digital photo code. For a paper application, you attach 2 identical printed photos.

Do I need to send a new photo when renewing my UK passport?

Yes. You must always provide a new passport photo when renewing.

Does the Post Office take passport photos?

Some Post Office branches offer passport photo services, including digital photos with a code. However, using Smartphone iD is often more convenient because you can take your photo from home.

Can I take a UK passport photo on my phone?

Yes, provided the photo meets all HMPO requirements. The Smartphone iD app checks your photo before delivery.

What is a digital photo code?

A digital photo code is a reference code provided with your digital passport photo. You enter it during your online passport application instead of uploading the image manually.

Do I need a countersignature on my passport photo?

Only for certain applications, such as a first adult or child passport, or replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport.

Sources

https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

Learn more

About the author

This article was written by the Smartphone iD editorial team — specialists in biometric photo compliance who work alongside the passport photo experts, manually verifying UK passport photos every month. All content is cross-checked against current official sources, including GOV.UK and HMPO Photo Standards, and updated whenever requirements change.