UK passport photo FAQ: digital photos, codes, prints and ordering
Quick answers to the questions customers most often have before taking, checking or ordering a UK passport photo.
Online application questions
What size must a digital UK passport photo be?
Current GOV.UK guidance requires at least 600 pixels wide by 750 pixels tall and a file size from 50KB to 10MB.
Can I take my passport photo on my phone?
Yes. GOV.UK allows a digital photo taken using your own device with someone else helping. Use a plain light-coloured background, even lighting and an unedited original.
Can I crop or edit the digital photo myself?
Do not crop a self-taken image yourself and do not use beauty filters, facial retouching or background replacement. Retake an unsuitable source photo instead.
Is 45×35mm the correct digital size?
No. 45×35mm is the printed passport-photo size. Digital photos use pixel and file-size rules.
Photo-code questions
What is a passport photo code?
It is a short secure reference that lets the online passport application retrieve a hosted digital photograph from a participating supplier.
Does a photo code guarantee acceptance?
No. The code retrieves the photograph; HM Passport Office still decides whether the photo meets its rules.
Is a digital image the same as a photo code?
No. A normal image file and a passport photo code are different outputs. Choose a product that explicitly includes a code if that is what you need.
What if my photo code does not work?
Re-enter it carefully, confirm you purchased a code product and use the correct application route. If retrieval still fails, contact the supplier that issued the code.
Paper application questions
What size are printed UK passport photos?
They must be 45mm high by 35mm wide, with the crown-to-chin measurement between 29mm and 34mm.
How many printed photos do I need?
For a paper UK passport application, current GOV.UK guidance requires 2 identical professional colour photographs.
Can I print a passport photo at a normal photo kiosk?
You can print an existing prepared image, but ordinary printing is not automatically a passport-photo service or a digital-code service. The final prints still need to meet HM Passport Office requirements.
Other common questions
Do babies need their eyes open?
Babies under 1 do not need to have their eyes open. Children under 6 do not have to look straight at the camera or keep a plain expression.
Why might a passport photo be rejected?
Common issues include blur, shadows, glare, an unsuitable background, obscured eyes/face, editing, or using the wrong digital/printed requirements.
How much does Passport Photo Code UK charge?
The current order form lists a digital photo at £6.99, 4 printed photos at £6.99 and a combined Photo Code + Printed Photos option at £13.98. Delivery charges can apply.
Are you GOV.UK or HM Passport Office?
No. Passport Photo Code UK is an independent service. HM Passport Office makes the final acceptance decision.
Need the app instead?
Open our current iOS or Android listing, or stay with the website.