Passport Photo Requirements UK

Before applying for your new passport, read up on the latest passport photo rules you need to follow for your passport to be accepted.

Follow passport photo rules to get it right the first time

Strict passport photo requirements can make applications a little stressful. To avoid any rejections and delays, these passport photo guidelines show all the latest rules!

Passport photo size UK

Printed passport photos must measure 45mm x 35mm. Digital photos must be between 50KB & 10MB.

Photo quality

Your passport photos must be focused, clear and in full colour. Printed photos cannot be creased or torn.

Background

Passport photos must be taken against a clear, light-coloured background that contrasts clearly.

Faces

You need to be alone in the photo and look straight at the camera with a neutral expression.

Eyes

Eyes must be open and visible, unobscured by hair. “Red eye” will also be rejected. 

Headwear

Unless for religious or medical reasons, no headwear can be worn in your passport photo.

Lighting

There must be no shadows on your face or behind you. Lighting must always be even.  

Glasses

Glasses should not be worn unless necessary. They cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses.

Editing

Passport photos cannot be altered, edited or manipulated in any way by computer software.

Find everything you need for perfect passport photos

Confused by all the HMPO rules? Don’t panic, here’s all the passport photo guidance you’ll ever need.

Frequently asked questions about ID photo printing

Can I get a digital ID photo code with my photos?

At Max Spielmann, a digital ID photo code is provided for all UK passport photos printed in-store and in our photobooths. Be sure to ask for or select the option to get a code with your photos, so that you can use our ID printing services for online applications. 

How long do passport photos take to be printed?

It takes minutes to print your passport photos at Max Spielmann! Either bring yourself in to be quickly snapped by one of our in-store colleagues in-store, for printing straight after, or hop into one of our handy photobooths for instant prints.

Can you help me complete my whole passport application?

Some of our Max Spielmann stores located inside Tesco offer our Apply & Go service. We can help you complete your entire new passport application or passport renewal. Please note, this service is only for UK passport applications and renewals. 

Are my ID photos guaranteed to be accepted?

Yes, all of our in-store printed passport photos and ID photos come with this guarantee. This means in the unlikely event that HMPO rejects your photos, we will either retake them or refund the cost of your order. However, we cannot guarantee online ID photo orders or photobooth photos.

What checks do you complete to ensure my passport photo will be accepted?

We use only HMPO’s passport photo guidance to check each passport photo that we take, alongside completing additional checks in-store, to ensure they meet the necessary criteria.

Do you take a visa ID photo in-store?

Yes. We offer numerous visa photo options and we can follow your exact requirements to custom-make your ID photo should you require this. Ask in-store for more information.

Do you take baby passport photos?

Yes, we also take baby passport photos in Max Spielmann stores. We understand how difficult it is to comply with HMPO rules when taking passport photos for very young children, but we know these rules and can get the photos just right. We guarantee that all of our passport photos comply with HMPO standards.

In the unlikely event that these passport photos are rejected, we’ll retake the photos for free or offer a full refund for the cost of your order. We do not recommend using photobooths for baby and toddler passport photos.