35mm x 45mm
The photo must be exactly 35 millimetres wide by 45 millimetres high. Our AI crops with pixel-perfect precision.
Official Requirements
UK Passport Photo Specifications
Every rule from HM Passport Office, automatically checked by our AI. Don't risk rejection at the Post Office.
Head: 29mm–34mm
From the crown of your head to the tip of your chin must measure between 29mm and 34mm. The face must be centred.
Cream or Light Grey
Unlike US photos, the UK requires a plain cream or plain light grey background. Not bright white. Our AI applies the correct tone.
No Glasses
Glasses are not permitted unless you have a medical reason and provide a signed doctor's note. Remove them before taking your photo.
Neutral Expression
Mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible. No smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. Look straight at the camera.
Taken Within 1 Month
This is stricter than many countries. Your photo must be less than a month old when you submit your application.
How It Works
Get Your UK Passport Photo in 3 Easy Steps
The quickest, easiest way to get a photo that meets all the strict UK rules — entirely from home.
Take Your Photo
Stand against a plain wall in good light. Use your phone's rear camera. Remove glasses and keep a neutral expression. A friend can help, or use a timer.
Upload & AI Checks
Upload to PhotoPass. Our AI removes the background, crops to 35x45mm, positions your head to 29-34mm, and verifies all HMPO rules.
Download or Print
Download your digital photo instantly for the online application. Or order prints on premium photo paper, delivered by Royal Mail.
Make your photo
Upload Your Photo
💡 Pro Tip (Maximize Acceptance): Authorities can reject photos for minor issues. We highly recommend preparing up to 3 slightly different variations (e.g., one with a slight smile, one completely neutral). You pay once for all!
📐 Photo Requirements:
- Face clearly visible and centered
- Neutral expression, mouth closed (or very slight smile)
- Good lighting, no shadows on the face
Adjust Your Photo
✂️ Crop & Align: Drag the image to center your face. Use the vertical orange line to align your nose. Zoom so your head fits between the guidelines. When ready, click "Save this Variation".
Example
Preview Your Variations
📥 After payment you will receive 4 formats for EACH variation:
✓ Digital 300 DPI (Web) • 600 DPI (High Quality Print)
✓ Printable 4x6" Sheet 300 & 600 DPI (6 photos with cut lines)
✓ Digital 300 DPI (Web) • 600 DPI (High Quality Print)
✓ Printable 4x6" Sheet 300 & 600 DPI (6 photos with cut lines)
Why PhotoPass
The Smarter Way to Get a British Passport Photo
Join millions who skip the photo booth queue and get a guaranteed HMPO-compliant photo from home.
AI HMPO Verification
Our AI checks 25+ HM Passport Office rules, including head size, eye position, and the specific cream background tone required for the UK.
Expert Human Review
Every photo is double-checked by a trained specialist who knows the UK's unique rules inside out — something a booth can't offer.
100% Acceptance Guarantee
If HM Passport Office rejects your photo, we'll correct it for free or give you a full refund. No questions asked.
Baby & Child Photos
The easiest way to get a compliant photo of your baby or child. No need to take them to a cramped photo booth.
Instant Digital Download
Perfect for the online application. Your digital file is perfectly sized and formatted for the HMPO portal.
Cheaper Than a Booth
Photo booths charge £8-£10 and don't check the rules. We do both, starting from just £8.99 for a digital file.
Frequently Asked Questions
UK Passport Photo FAQ
UK Passport Photo Guide & Resources
Get a 35x45mm British Passport Photo Without Leaving Home
Searching for "passport photo near me" in the UK usually means a trip to a photo booth, pharmacy, or Post Office. With PhotoPass, you can create a perfect, HM Passport Office compliant 35x45mm photo entirely online. No need to find a working booth, queue up, or worry about your photo being rejected later.
Whether you're renewing your British passport online or applying for the first time, our AI creates a perfectly sized digital photo that meets every technical specification for the online application portal.
Common UK Passport Photo Searches
- UK passport photo online: The modern, convenient way to get your HMPO photo.
- 35x45mm photo maker: Auto-cropped to the exact dimensions for British passports.
- Digital passport photo UK: Ready for the online renewal form.
- British passport photo requirements: All HMPO rules checked by our AI.
- Photo booth near me: Skip the booth — get a guaranteed photo from home.
Official British Passport Photo Requirements Checklist
A rejected photo is the number one cause of passport application delays. HM Passport Office has very specific, unique rules. Our AI checks all of these automatically:
- Dimensions: Exactly 35mm wide x 45mm high.
- Head Size: Crown to chin must be 29mm to 34mm.
- Background: Plain cream or light grey. Not white.
- Glasses: Not allowed unless for a medical reason with a signed note.
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and visible.
- Recency: Taken within the last month.
- Face Coverings: Nothing covering the face, including hair, hats, or scarves (except for religious reasons.
- Lighting: Even, no shadows on the face or background.
Digital Photo for Online UK Passport Renewal
Most UK passport renewals are now done online. The digital application system requires a digital passport photo that is at least 50KB and no more than 10MB, in .jpg format. It must show the same strict 35x45mm framing and head size rules as a printed photo.
PhotoPass provides a perfectly formatted digital file that meets all technical specifications for the HMPO online portal. No scanning, no cropping, no guessing required.
Online Renewal Benefits
- It costs less than a paper application.
- You can complete it entirely from home.
- A digital photo from PhotoPass plugs directly into the application.
- It's the fastest way to get a new passport.
Why Use an Online Service Instead of a UK Photo Booth?
While photo booths across the UK offer passport photos, they have significant drawbacks. The biggest is that a photo booth does not check if your photo actually meets the rules. It simply takes a picture. If your head is the wrong size or the lighting is off, HM Passport Office will reject it, and you'll have to start again.
PhotoPass is different. Our AI and human experts verify your photo against every single requirement. If we spot a problem, we flag it so you can retake it. And if our photo is rejected, we offer a full refund. No photo booth can promise that.
PhotoPass vs. High Street
- Cheaper: Digital photos from £8.99 vs £8-£10 in a booth.
- Faster: Ready in 3 minutes vs travelling and queuing.
- Guaranteed: Money-back acceptance guarantee.
- Easier for kids: No cramming a baby into a tiny booth.