Verified against official sourceLast checked: 2026-08-13

🇬🇧 UK Passport Photo (paper application)

We check one selfie against every photo requirement listed on this page.

A paper passport application requires 2 identical photos printed to a professional standard.

Print size
35 × 45 mm
Background
cream or light grey — The background must be plain and contrast clearly with the subject
Head size
29 – 34 mm

Use this page only for UK Passport Photo (paper application). Similar applications can use a different submission method, size or file limit. Why this rule has its own page

  1. Choose rulecompleted
  2. 2Upload photocurrent
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🇬🇧Selected requirementUK Passport Photo (paper application)35 × 45 mm · cream or light grey — The background must be plain and contrast clearly with the subject · 29 – 34 mmChange

Upload one clear, recent photo

A phone photo is fine. Face the camera, use even light and keep your full head and shoulders in frame.

This authority may reject digitally altered photos. If the automatic checks and adjustments are insufficient, we may generate an AI-assisted option for you to compare and review.
For photos you upload, AI generation starts automatically when this rule cannot be met in the browser; photos taken with the camera here are only sent if you start it yourself. Either way the optimized photo is uploaded for processing — compare the generated face with the original before use.Privacy policy
Exact requirement

What this photo must meet

These values come from the selected rule and are used during generation.

Print size
35 × 45 mm
Background
cream or light grey — The background must be plain and contrast clearly with the subject
Head size
29 – 34 mm
Photo age
Taken within the last month
Editing
No retouching, filters or background replacement allowed
Glasses
Clear lenses only
Headwear
Religious head covering only
Face & expression
Neutral
Official source: www.gov.uk

Note: A paper passport application requires 2 identical photos printed to a professional standard. The photos must not be changed with computer software.

Application

UK Passport Photo (paper application)

Use this page only for UK Passport Photo (paper application). Similar applications can use a different submission method, size or file limit.

Application
Passport
Submission
Printed photo
Official source
HM Passport Office
Last checked
2026-08-13

Common rejection reasons

Shadows on the background

Furniture or shadows behind you are the top rejection cause. We detect them before you submit.

HEIC from iPhone

Many systems only accept JPEG. iPhone photos are HEIC by default — we convert automatically.

Face too close or too far

Head size must sit in an exact range. We position it precisely, no guessing.