United Kingdom passport photo
United Kingdom passport photo requirements: 35 × 45 mm. Check background, head position, expression, glasses and print or digital format. Official document-specific guidance
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What this page covers
This page summarizes the photo rules for United Kingdom passport photo. The main print format is 35 × 45 mm.
Use the checklist below to confirm background, face position, glasses and lighting, then prepare the file online with PhotoDocs.
The reference source for this profile is HM Passport Office.
Source and verification
This page follows document-specific public guidance published by HM Passport Office.
Official document-specific photo rules were verified on 2026-04-13 using HM Passport Office.
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Photo requirements
How to take this photo correctly
- Start with a recent, sharp portrait for United Kingdom passport photo.
- Keep the pose aligned with the rule: Full-face, with the face occupying as much of the frame as possible without being cropped.
- Use a clean setup that matches the required background: Light plain cream or grey background without patterns.
- Check eyewear before submission: No glare or darkening; it is better to remove glasses if there is a risk of reflections.
Common reasons this photo gets rejected
- The background does not match the rule: Light plain cream or grey background without patterns.
- The head is tilted, too close to the edge or cropped too tightly.
- Glasses, glare, hair or shadows make the eyes hard to see.
- The facial expression does not match the rule: Neutral expression; the applicant must be recognizable.