What are UK passport photo requirements?

UK passport photos must be 35×45 mm with head height 29–34 mm from chin to crown. Background must be light grey or cream. No glasses unless medically necessary. Photo must be taken within the last 1 month. Neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed. JPEG, min 50 KB, max 10 MB for online renewal.

What colour background for a UK passport photo?

UK passport photos require a plain light grey or cream background. Pure white is not accepted by the Home Office. No patterns, shadows, or other people in the background.

How recent must a UK passport photo be?

The UK requires your passport photo to have been taken within the last 1 month. This is the strictest recency rule in the world — stricter than the US (6 months) and most other countries. Photos older than 1 month will be rejected.

Can I wear glasses in a UK passport photo?

Gov.uk states glasses must not be worn unless medically necessary (with a letter from your doctor or optician). Otherwise, remove glasses before taking your photo to avoid rejection. This rule applies from November 2022.

What is a photo code for UK passport renewal?

A photo code is given by high-street shops (Timpson, Max Spielmann, Photo-Me kiosks) when they take your passport photo. You enter the code on passport.service.gov.uk instead of uploading a file. PixID gives you a JPEG file for the upload path instead.

Can I use PixID for UK online passport renewal?

Yes. PixID creates a JPEG file that meets gov.uk upload specs (35×45 mm, head 29–34 mm, light grey/cream background, min 50 KB, max 10 MB, taken within 1 month). Upload it directly when passport.service.gov.uk prompts you — no photo code needed.

Can I use the same photo for my passport and driving licence?

Yes. Both UK passport and driving licence use the same 35×45 mm specifications. DVLA prefers light grey background (cream is OK for passport). The same compliant photo can usually be used for both.

Where can I print a passport photo in the UK?

Post Office (~11,500 locations), Timpson, Tesco Photo, Snappy Snaps, Max Spielmann. In-store service typically £8–£15. You can take your PixID file to Tesco Photo or Snappy Snaps and have it printed at 35×45 mm for around £0.15.

How much does a passport photo cost in the UK?

In-store at Post Office, Timpson, etc: typically £8–£15. Printing at home: around £0.10–£0.20 per print. PixID digital file: $4.99 — print it at Tesco Photo or Snappy Snaps for ~£0.15, or print at home.

What size is a UK passport photo?

35×45 mm. Head height from chin to crown must be 29–34 mm. At least 600×750 pixels at 300 DPI. JPEG format. Same size for passport, visa, driving licence, and UK ID card.

UK Passport & Visa Photo Requirements — Complete Guide

Country photo specs: head size, background, dimensions.

Photo size and dimensions

Strictest recency rule in the world

UK requires your passport photo to have been taken within the last 1 month. This is stricter than the US (6 months) and most other countries. If your photo is older, it will be rejected. Take a fresh photo before applying.

UK passport, visa, and most official document photos use:

Size: 35×45 mm
Resolution: At least 600×750 pixels (or equivalent at 300 DPI)
Format: JPEG. No embedded graphics or borders.

Driving licence and provisional licence use the same 35×45 mm standard. This is one of the most common high-volume corridors globally — strict requirements, high migration.

Photo code vs file upload — UK online renewal

When renewing online at passport.service.gov.uk, you have two options:

(a) Enter a photo code — High-street shops (Timpson, Max Spielmann, Photo-Me kiosks at supermarkets) take your photo and give you a code. You enter that code on the passport site instead of uploading a file.
(b) Upload your own JPEG — HMPO fully accepts digital uploads. Your photo must be JPEG, min 50 KB, max 10 MB, same face requirements (35×45 mm, head 29–34 mm, light grey/cream background, taken within 1 month). This is the flow PixID supports.

PixID gives you a file, not a code. That file is designed for path (b) — upload it directly when passport.service.gov.uk prompts you. No need to visit a shop. Create your compliant photo, download the JPEG, then upload it when asked.

UK online passport renewal — digital upload specs

For gov.uk/renew-adult-passport: JPEG, min 50 KB, max 10 MB. Same face requirements (35×45 mm equivalent, head 29–34 mm, light grey/cream, no glasses unless medically necessary, taken within 1 month). PixID output meets these specs. Create your photo, then upload the file when prompted.

Where to get passport photos in the UK

After creating your digital photo with PixID, you can have prints made at any high-street shop. Or walk in for the full in-store service. Here are the main options:

Timpson — £12.99 in-store, £6.95 online Snappy Snaps — £12–£15, London & UK Max Spielmann — £12.99 staff, £10 booth Post Office — 11,500 locations Boots — booths gone, £0.27 print hack ASDA — £12.99 via Max Spielmann Tesco — Max Spielmann booth £6–£8 Photo-Me — stations & malls Near me — all UK options Photo booths — brands compared

More: Full HMPO requirements · UK visa photos (UKVI) · Online renewal JPEG · Photo code · At home · Baby photos · Driving licence

Or skip the store entirely: PixID online — $4.99 (≈£3.99), then print at Boots or Tesco Photo kiosk for £0.27. See our guide to printing at retail.

Head height and position

Official measurements

UK Home Office specifies the height of your head in the frame:

Head height: From the bottom of your chin to the top of your head (including hair), must be between 29 mm and 34 mm in the 35×45 mm photo.
Face position: Face the camera directly. Centered. Both ears visible where possible.
Eye level: Eyes open and clearly visible.

Common mistakes

If head size is outside 29–34 mm, the photo will be rejected. Automated systems check this strictly. PixID checks head height automatically when you upload.

Glasses

UK passport and visa: glasses must not be worn unless medically necessary. Gov.uk states you should remove glasses before taking the photo. If you need to wear them for medical reasons, you'll need a signed letter from a doctor or optician. Same rule for driving licence and ID card. Do not wear glasses unless you have this exemption — it causes many rejections.

Background

Background must be plain light grey or cream (not pure white). No patterns, shadows, or other people. Home Office and DVLA specify acceptable shades — our tool applies the correct value.

Expression and appearance

Expression: Neutral expression, mouth closed. No smiling.
Eyes: Both eyes open and looking at the camera.
Headwear: Only if worn for religious or medical reasons; face must be fully visible.

Driving licence (DVLA)

DVLA driving licence and provisional licence use the same 35×45 mm size, but with a slight difference: the background must be plain light grey (cream is accepted for passport but DVLA prefers light grey). The same compliant photo can usually be used for both — our tool applies light grey/cream which satisfies both. In some cases the form may require a paper counterpart; check DVLA photo rules when applying.

Child passport photos

Gov.uk has specific rules for children. Babies and toddlers do not need to look at the camera — eyes can be closed or looking away. No dummy or comforter visible in the mouth. No other person (including hands) visible in the frame. The child must be alone against the background. Same 35×45 mm size and light grey/cream background. PixID supports child photos — select the appropriate document type and follow the on-screen guidance.

Documents that use 35×45 mm UK photos

UK Passport, UK Visa, UK Driving Licence, Provisional Licence, UK ID card, and many residence and work permit applications. High-volume corridor — get the specs right first time.

Document photo checklist: size, lighting, expression.

Most common UK rejection reasons

Avoid these — PixID checks for them automatically when you create your photo.

Photo too old (over 1 month — UK's strictest-in-world rule)
Background wrong shade (pure white rejected; must be light grey or cream)
Head size outside 29–34 mm
Smiling or non-neutral expression
Wearing glasses (not allowed unless medically necessary with doctor's letter)
Shadows on background
Digital manipulation detected (HMPO rejects heavily edited photos)

Official sources: gov.uk (passport, visa), DVLA photo rules. Always confirm latest requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What are UK passport photo requirements?: UK passport photos must be 35×45 mm with head height 29–34 mm from chin to crown. Background must be light grey or cream. No glasses unless medically necessary. Neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed. JPEG format, at least 600×750 px at 300 DPI. Photo must be taken within the last 1 month.
What colour background for a UK passport photo?: UK passport photos require a plain light grey or cream background. Pure white is not accepted by the Home Office. No patterns, shadows, or other people in the background.
How recent must a UK passport photo be?: UK requires your passport photo to have been taken within the last 1 month. This is the strictest rule in the world (US allows 6 months). Photos older than 1 month will be rejected.
Can I wear glasses in a UK passport photo?: No — unless medically necessary (you'll need a letter from your doctor). HM Passport Office does not allow glasses in passport photos since November 2022. Remove glasses before taking your photo to avoid rejection.
What is a photo code for UK passport renewal?: A photo code is given by high-street shops (Timpson, Max Spielmann, Photo-Me kiosks) when they take your passport photo. You enter the code on passport.service.gov.uk instead of uploading a file. PixID gives you a file, not a code — you upload the JPEG directly on the renewal site.
Can I use PixID for UK online passport renewal?: Yes. PixID creates a JPEG file that meets HMPO's digital upload specs (min 50 KB, max 10 MB, same face requirements). Create your photo, download it, then upload it when passport.service.gov.uk prompts you. No photo code or shop visit needed.
Can I use the same photo for my passport and driving licence?: Yes. Both use the same 35×45 mm specifications. DVLA prefers light grey background (passport allows cream); PixID's output satisfies both. The same compliant photo can be used for passport, visa, driving licence, and UK ID card.
Where can I print a passport photo in the UK?: Post Office (~11,500 locations), Timpson, Tesco Photo, Snappy Snaps, or Max Spielmann. In-store service costs around £8–£15. You can also print your PixID file at Tesco Photo or Snappy Snaps for about £0.15. See our print-at-retail guide.
How much does a passport photo cost in the UK?: High-street shops (Post Office, Timpson, etc.) typically charge £8–£15 for in-store passport photos. Printing at home costs around £0.10–£0.20 per print. PixID is $4.99 with a free redo if your photo is rejected.
What size is a UK passport photo?: UK passport photos must be 35×45 mm (600×750 pixels at 300 DPI). Head height from chin to crown must be 29–34 mm. Same size applies to UK visa, driving licence, and ID card.