Passport Photo Booth UK — Cost, Locations, and Photo Code 2026

UK Passport Guide · Last verified: February 2026

Photo booths are the cheapest in-store option for UK passport photos — £5–£10 for prints plus a photo code at most locations. This guide covers the main booth brands, where to find them, how they work, and when a booth is not the right choice.

Main photo booth brands in the UK

Photo-Me booths — most widespread

Photo-Me operates the largest network of passport photo booths in the UK — found at railway stations, post offices, shopping centres, and supermarkets across the country.

Price: typically £8–£12 for 4–5 printed photos
Photo code: yes — newer Photo-Me booths print a code alongside your photos
Locations: 30,000+ booths across Europe; thousands in the UK alone
Find one: photo-me.co.uk → Booth Finder

Max Spielmann at Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons

Max Spielmann operates photo booths in most large Tesco, Asda, and Morrisons supermarkets. These are among the cheapest booth options in the UK.

Price: £6–£8 for 4 prints and a photo code
Photo code: yes — included in the standard price
Locations: most Tesco Extra, Asda Supercentres, some Morrisons
Hours: typically 7am–11pm (supermarket hours)
Advantage: long hours, located where you're already shopping

Sainsbury's photo booths

Some Sainsbury's locations have photo booths, typically Max Spielmann branded.

Price: £8–£10 for 5 prints
Photo code: yes at most locations
Locations: larger Sainsbury's stores

Post Office photo booths

Some Post Office branches have self-service photo booths separate from the Check & Send service. These are different from the staff-assisted Check & Send service.

Price: £10–£12.99 for 4 prints and code
Note: not available at all Post Office branches — call ahead
Advantage: can do the booth and then use Check & Send at the same location

How a UK photo booth works

Find a booth using the brand's locator website or Google Maps search "passport photo booth near me"
Enter the booth and follow screen instructions — most modern booths are touchscreen
Select document type: UK passport, driving licence, or other. This sets the correct format.
Take your photos — the booth takes several shots and shows you a preview
Select your best shot and confirm
Pay — coin, card, or contactless at most modern booths
Collect prints — usually 4–5 prints from a slot at the bottom
Collect your photo code — printed on a small slip alongside your photos, or sent to your email if you enter an address

The whole process takes about 3–5 minutes.

Photo code — what it is

Most modern UK photo booths print a photo code — a short alphanumeric code (e.g. "AB12CD34") that links to your photo stored in the HMPO's system. During online passport renewal at passport.service.gov.uk, you enter this code instead of uploading a file. The system retrieves your photo automatically.

Important: photo codes expire. Use your code within a few weeks of getting it — don't let it sit unused for months.

When photo booths are NOT suitable

Babies and very young children: Booths are designed for adults sitting still. Young infants who cannot sit upright cannot use a photo booth. For children under roughly 18 months, use an in-store staffed service (Timpson, Snappy Snaps) or take a photo at home.

Mobility issues: Most booths require sitting on a fixed stool at a specific height. Not suitable for wheelchair users or people who need height adjustment.

First-time applicants needing guarantor signing: A booth can't sign the back of your photo. If you need a countersignature (first adult passport, child passport), you still need to arrange that separately after getting your booth photos.

Photo booth vs staffed service

	Photo booth	Staffed service (Timpson, Snappy Snaps)
Price	£5–£10	£12–£16
Photo code	✅ Yes (most)	✅ Yes
Guidance from staff	❌ None	✅ Yes
Compliance check	❌ None (you check)	✅ Staff check before printing
Retake guarantee	❌ No	✅ Yes (free retake)
Babies and children	❌ Difficult	✅ Staff experienced
Hours	Long (supermarket hours)	Shop hours (typically 9am–6pm)

Common booth mistakes that cause rejection

Wearing glasses — banned since November 2022; some older booths don't flag this
Smiling — booths don't always warn you; neutral expression required
Head not level — slight tilt that looks fine in the mirror fails automated checks
Sitting too close or too far — affects head size in the frame
Light reflection on background from window or booth lights — creates uneven background

Frequently asked questions

How much does a photo booth cost for passport photos in the UK?

Max Spielmann at Tesco/Asda: £6–£8. Photo-Me at stations and shopping centres: £8–£12. Post Office booths: £10–£12.99. All include printed photos and a digital photo code.

Do UK passport photo booths give you a photo code?

Yes — most modern booths print a photo code alongside your printed photos. This code can be used for online passport renewal at passport.service.gov.uk.

Where are passport photo booths in the UK?

Major locations: railway stations (most large stations have Photo-Me booths), Tesco Extra and Asda Supercentres (Max Spielmann), Sainsbury's (some), Post Office branches (some). Use photo-me.co.uk or search Google Maps for "passport photo booth" near your postcode.

Can I use a photo booth for a baby passport photo?

Not recommended. Babies cannot sit on the booth's fixed stool. Use a staffed service (Timpson, Snappy Snaps) or photograph at home. Timpson and Snappy Snaps are experienced with infant photos.

Can I wear glasses in a UK passport photo booth?

No — glasses are not permitted in UK passport photos since November 2022. Remove glasses before entering the booth.