Can you smile in a UK passport photo?

As natural as it may be to flash a grin no sooner than when a camera is pointed at your face, in passport photos, smiling is forbidden. Instead, the rules state that your expression should remain neutral with your mouth shut. However, this rule does not apply to children under the age of 6, who are permitted to show facial expressions.

1 Digital passport photo rules

2 UK digital photo size requirements

3 Biometric photo standards for the UK

4 Special photo rules for babies and children

Digital passport photo rules

With Her Majesty’s Passport Office clearing the way for online applications, many people are using apps to take passport photos at home. Whenever you apply for a new passport, you will need a new passport photo.

Smartphone iD can be used to assist in capturing your best look under government regulations. There are several rules to consider, all of which are good to know if you’re taking your passport picture DIY-style.

If your photo does not comply with the rules, the application process will be delayed.

Please note that you do not have to take your digital photo at home, and there are IDCP-compliant photographers around the country that can assist citizens with the process. Furthermore, there are several support structures available to disabled citizens upon request. That being said, here are some things to keep in mind if you are taking the picture yourself.

UK digital photo size requirements

50KB – 10MB
In focus and sharp
600 pixels in width x 750 pixels in height
Not digitally manipulated in any way by computer software

Biometric photo standards for the UK

Face the camera head-on with eyes open (no red-eye)
Feature the face, shoulders, and upper torso
Contrast a plain, light background
There are no other people or objects in it
Be uncropped (it will be cropped later)
Show a neutral expression with the mouth shut
Only include a head covering for medical or religious reasons
Not have any shadows on the face or in the background
Only include glasses if necessary (so long as they are not shaded, and there is no glare caused by reflections)

Special photo rules for babies and children

Babies beneath the age of one should be placed on a plain fabric of a light colour. The photo can be taken from above, and the eyes do not have to be open. You may support the baby’s head with a hand, but the hand cannot be seen in the photograph. No toys or dummies are permitted!
Children under the age of 6 are not required to look directly at the camera with a neutral expression

If you need ID photos for official documents, use our online passport photo tool, Smartphone iD, on Apple or Google Play Store, and you will get 100% guaranteed photos for your official documents.

Sources

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

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

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7e2f0140f0b62302689b37/Photoguidance_v7.pdf