If you are applying for your UK passport using a paper form, you need two identical photos.If you are applying for your UK passport online, you need digital photos.New UK passports require a new UK passport photo, even if you haven't changed your appearance. Your application will be delayed if your photos do not meet the rules.

Requirements for your printed United Kingdom passport photos:

You need to provide 2 identical photos and meet the following requirements:

• measure 45 millimetres (mm) high by 35mm wide

• The image of you - from the crown of your head to your chin - must be between 29mm and 34mm high.(see example below)

You can't use photos that have been cut down from larger pictures.

• Your photo must have been taken in the last month.

• This photo should feature a close-up of your full headand upper shoulders

• Do not contain any other objects or people

• It should be taken against a light grey or cream background

• The photo is in clear contrast to the background

• The photo does not have ‘red eye’

In your photo, you must:

• Face the camera directly and look forward

• Close your mouth and maintain a plain expression

• Make sure your eyes are open and visible

• have no hair in front of your eyes

• Wear no head covering (unless religious or medical reasons require it)

• Have nothing covering your face

• Neither have shadows on your face nor behind you

The quality of your printed photos

Photos of babies and children

Children must be on their own in the picture. Babies must not be holding toys or using dummies.

Children under 6 do not have to be looking directly at the camera or have a plain expression.

Children under one do not have to have their eyes open. If their head is supported by a hand, the hand must not be visible in the photo.

Passport photos: dos and don'ts

How the 123PassportPhoto.com Tool Works

The 123PassportPhoto.com UK passport photo maker allows you to upload a recent photograph taken with a phone or digital camera and select the UK 35 × 45 mm passport photo format. The tool helps prepare the crop, framing and photo dimensions, then provides a preview before you download a printable passport photo layout and a digital photo for online submission. 

Using the UK passport photo tool is simple:

1. Select the UK passport photo format.
2. Upload your recent photograph.
3. Process your photo
4. Preview the 35 × 45 mm passport photo.
5. Download the printable photo layout and a single digital photo if you want to keep one
6. Print and cut out two identical photographs.

Printing Your UK Passport Photo

Print your passport photos in colour on good-quality white photographic paper.

The finished photos should:

• Measure exactly 35 × 45 mm
• Have no printed border
• Be clear and properly exposed
• Have natural colours
• Be free from ink marks or printing lines
• Not be torn, folded or creased
• Not be printed on ordinary office paper

Cut around each photograph carefully without reducing the required dimensions.

When printing at home, confirm that your printer is set to the correct paper size and prints at 100% scale. Do not use settings such as “fit to page” that may change the passport photo dimensions.

Applying for a UK Passport Online?

An online UK passport application uses a digital photograph rather than two printed 35 × 45 mm photos.

A UK digital passport photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels high, with a file size between 50 KB and 10 MB.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a UK passport photo?

A printed UK passport photo must measure 35 × 45 mm.

How many photos do I need?

Two identical printed photos are usually required.

What is the correct head size?

29 mm to 34 mm from chin to top of head.

What background should I use?

Plain cream or light grey background.

Can I smile?

No. Use a plain expression with mouth closed.

Can I wear glasses?

Only if necessary, with no glare and eyes clearly visible.

Can I print at home?

Yes, if printed in colour on photo paper at correct scale.

Is 35 × 45 mm needed for online applications?

No. Online applications use a digital photo.

Can I edit the background?

No heavy editing. Use a plain background when taking the photo.

UK Passport Photo Checklist

• 35 × 45 mm size
• Two identical photos
• Taken within last month
• Clear, sharp, in colour
• Printed on photo paper
• No border
• Plain light background
• Head and shoulders visible
• Head height 29–34 mm
• Plain expression, mouth closed
• Both eyes visible
• No shadows or objects
• No retouching
• Not damaged or creased

Official Source

UK Government passport photo requirements:

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