CURRENT HM PASSPORT OFFICE PHOTO GUIDANCE
UK Digital Passport Photo Online Checklist
For an online UK passport application, the digital photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, between 50KB and 10MB, and taken within the last month.
Read the current rules on GOV.UKUK digital passport photo requirements
- Use a clear, in-focus colour photo taken within the last month.
- Provide an image at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, between 50KB and 10MB.
- Keep the photo unaltered by computer software: no filters, facial edits, or background replacement.
- Include your head, shoulders, and upper body when using your own device; do not crop the photo yourself.
- Use a plain light-coloured background with no other people or objects, and avoid shadows and red eye.
- Face forwards with a plain expression, mouth closed, and eyes open and visible.
A safer way to take the photo at home
- Ask another person to take the photo rather than holding the camera yourself.
- Stand in balanced light with clear contrast between you and a plain, light background.
- Leave enough space for HM Passport Office to crop the image during the application.
- Open the official rules again immediately before you submit, because issuer guidance can change.
Upload a file or use a photo code
The online passport application can accept a digital photo taken on your own device. A participating photo booth or shop may instead provide a photo code that retrieves the image during the application.
Need a different ID photo format? See the formats available from Portrait Path .