How To Get A Passport Photo

Get a passport photo

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Digital photos

You need a digital photo to apply for a passport online.

You must get a new photo when you get a new passport, even if your appearance has not changed.

Your photo must have been taken in the last month.

Your application will be delayed if your photos do not meet the rules.

How to get a digital photo

To apply for a passport online with a digital photo, you can:

take a photo during your application - you'll need someone to help you and a device that takes digital photos
go to a photo shop before you apply and get a digital photo (some shops can also give you a code to add the photo to your application)
use a photo booth before you apply and get a code to add the photo to your application (not all photo booths offer this service)

Rules for digital photos

The quality of your digital photo

Your photo must be:

clear and in focus
in colour
unaltered by computer software
at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
at least 50KB and no more than 10MB

What your digital photo must show

The digital photo must:

contain no other objects or people
be taken against a plain light-coloured background
be in clear contrast to the background
not have 'red eye'

If you're using a photo taken during your application, include your head, shoulders and upper body. Do not crop your photo - it will be done for you.

In your photo you must:

be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
have a plain expression and your mouth closed
have your eyes open and visible
not have hair in front of your eyes
not have a head covering (unless it's for religious or medical reasons)
not have anything covering your face
not have any shadows on your face or behind you

Do not wear glasses in your photo unless you have to do so. If you must wear glasses, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses, and you must make sure your eyes are not covered by the frames or any glare, reflection or shadow.

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. You can support their head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the photo.

Children under one should lie on a plain light-coloured sheet. Take the photo from above.