UK passport photos and the HM Passport Office standard
British passport photos are governed by HM Passport Office (HMPO), the Home Office agency that sets and enforces the photographic standard for every UK passport application. The rules are published on gov.uk for applicants and codified in the internal HMPO Photo Standards manual used by examiners, with version 51.0 in effect from 19 January 2026. The same specification is mirrored across UK identity documents, including the Electronic Travel Authorisation and DVLA and DVA photocard driving licences.
HMPO requires a recent colour photograph showing a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, and a plain light grey or cream background. Photos must have been taken within the last month, a recency rule that HMPO formalised as an escalation trigger in Photo Standards v49.0 on 8 December 2025. Examiners apply the standard to both printed submissions for paper applications and digital uploads through the online passport service.
Photos that fall outside the HMPO standard are rejected, and a rejection delays the application until a compliant image is supplied. Perfect Passport produces images sized and framed to the HMPO specification so the submission clears the automated and examiner checks the first time.
UK passport photo requirements set by HM Passport Office
HMPO publishes a single subject standard for British passport photos. The rules below cover how the applicant must appear in the final image.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionAdults and applicants aged six and over must hold a plain expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, and raised eyebrows are not permitted.
- Eyes open and visibleBoth eyes must be open and clearly visible, with pupils and irises unobstructed.
- Face the camera squarelyThe head must face directly forward with no tilt, turn, or lean. Portrait styling such as looking over a shoulder is not accepted.
- Shoulders in frameThe upper shoulders must be visible and squared to the camera.
Eyewear & lenses
- GlassesGlasses are not permitted in UK passport photos under the Home Office 2018 rule change. A narrow medical exception applies only with documentation; even then frames must not cover any part of the eyes and lenses must be clear and free of glare.
- Sunglasses and tinted lensesSunglasses, tinted lenses, and mirrored lenses are not permitted.
- Contact lensesClear prescription contact lenses are permitted. Coloured, novelty, and cosmetic contact lenses are not.
Hair
- Eyes and eyebrows clearHair must not fall across the eyes or cover the eyebrows. The full outline of the face from chin to forehead must be visible.
- FringesFringes are acceptable if they sit above the eyebrows and do not cast shadows on the eyes.
- Wigs and hairpiecesWigs and hairpieces are permitted when worn as part of the applicant’s normal daily appearance.
- Decorative hair accessoriesBows, scrunchies, headbands, and similar decorative hair accessories are not permitted.
Headwear
- General ruleHeadwear is not permitted except when worn for religious or medical reasons.
- Permitted head coveringsWhere a head covering is allowed, it must be of uniform colour with no patterns or perforations, must not cast shadows on the face, and must leave the face fully visible from chin to forehead.
- Fashion hatsFashion hats, caps, and decorative headwear are not accepted.
Jewellery & accessories
- Earrings, necklaces, and piercingsJewellery and facial piercings are permitted provided they do not obscure any part of the face or cause glare. Small studs are preferable to large dangling earrings.
- Headphones and earbudsHeadphones, wireless earbuds, and Bluetooth headsets must be removed.
Cosmetics
- Everyday makeupNatural, everyday makeup that reflects the applicant’s usual appearance is acceptable.
- Heavy or theatrical makeupHeavy contouring, dramatic makeup, and false eyelashes that cast shadows or significantly alter facial geometry are not accepted because they interfere with biometric matching.
- Facial tattoosFacial tattoos do not need to be covered.
Clothing
- UniformsUniforms, uniform-like clothing, and camouflage are not permitted.
- Contrast with backgroundClothing should be distinguishable from the light background. Solid mid-to-dark tones work best.
- Religious dressReligious clothing is acceptable subject to the headwear rules.
Photo quality
- Red-eyeRed-eye is not accepted. A new photo must be taken under different lighting rather than relying on software correction.
- Shadows on the faceShadows across the face, under the chin, or cast by headwear are grounds for rejection.
- Sharp focusThe subject must be in sharp focus. Motion blur from the applicant moving during capture is not accepted.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 31 mm and 34 mm (roughly 69–77% of the photo height).
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame, with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Shoulders must be square to the camera and both visible. No three-quarter angles or rotated torso.
- The full face, from chin to crown, must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
United Kingdom accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
United Kingdom publishes more than one acceptable format depending on where you submit your application — domestic passport offices, the official online portal, and regional consulates abroad can each call for a different print or pixel size. We render every variant below from the same source photo, so the head sits at the same physical position across files, and each one arrives in your order email with a clear filename indicating which submission channel it's for.
United Kingdom Passport 35×45 mm
Primary specUnited Kingdom's recommended print format — accepted at most in-country submissions and the default we render first.
United Kingdom Passport 900×1200 px — online
Digital uploadPixel-exact format required by the official online portal upload.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last one month. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
HMPO relaxes expression and gaze rules for younger applicants. The framing, background, and isolation rules still apply.
Babies under 1
Infants under twelve months get the most flexibility, since neutral expressions and steady eye contact are not realistic at this age.
- Eyes may be closedInfants do not need to have their eyes open in the photo.
- Any expressionA neutral expression is not required. Any natural expression is accepted.
- Lying down permittedThe baby may lie on a plain light-coloured sheet with the photo taken from directly above.
- Supporting hand must be hiddenIf a hand is used to support the baby’s head, it must not be visible anywhere in the frame.
- Alone in frameThe baby must be alone in the photo. No other people, dummies, pacifiers, or toys may appear.
- No headwearHats and headbands are not permitted, including on newborns.
Children under 6
Children aged one to five have relaxed expression and gaze rules, but their eyes must be open.
- GazeThe child does not need to look directly at the camera.
- ExpressionA neutral expression is not required. A natural smile or open mouth is accepted.
- Eyes openBoth eyes must be open and visible.
- Alone in frameThe child must appear alone. Dummies, pacifiers, and toys must be out of shot.
- Head positionThe head must still face forward. Pose tolerances are not relaxed for this age group.
Age 6 and older
From the sixth birthday onward the full adult ruleset applies.
- Adult standardNeutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, and a square frontal pose are all required.
Country-specific details to know.
A few details of the HMPO standard catch UK applicants out more than others.
Glasses prohibited
Glasses have been prohibited in UK passport photos since the Home Office rule change in 2018. A narrow medical exception requires documentation, and even then frames must not cover the eyes and lenses must be glare-free. Remove glasses before taking the photo.
One-month recency rule
The photo must have been taken within the last month. Since HMPO Photo Standards v49.0 took effect on 8 December 2025, an older photo is treated as a formal escalation trigger rather than something an examiner can wave through.
Headphones and earbuds banned
Headphones, wireless earbuds, and Bluetooth headsets are explicitly prohibited in UK passport photos, even small in-ear units. Take them out before the photo is captured.
Uniform clothing banned
Uniforms, clothing that resembles a uniform, and camouflage patterns are not accepted. This rule applies regardless of profession.
As easy as snap, upload, done.
You take a quick picture. We do the spec work and tell you immediately if anything needs a retake.
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Print & paper standards.
If you submit a printed photo with a paper application, the print itself has to meet acceptance-facility standards in addition to the rules above.
- Plain white photographic paper (matte or glossy finish).
- No visible pixels, banding, dithering, or printer artifacts.
- The print must be undamaged: no creases, holes, smudges, staples, or pinholes.
- Do not write on the back of the photo.
- 2 identical prints are required.