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How to take a digital passport photo at home

Use this guidance to take a digital photo that meets the passport and civil aviation photo rules, using an iPhone or any other smartphone, a digital camera, or a tablet. 

The device must be able to take pictures in high resolution. Ask someone to take a photo of you. 

Photos for babies and children

Your photo must be:

  • in full colour
  • clear and good quality
  • unaltered by computer software
  • a jpg or jpeg file
  • at least 100KB and no more than 10MB
  • Your photo must have been taken in the last month.

Photo Background

  • use a plain light-coloured background – white or another neutral colour like grey
  • no textures or patterns on the backwall
  • no objects behind you
  • make sure the person in the picture is in sharp contrast with the background
  • wear dark clothing
  • children must be on their own in the picture
  • babies must not be holding toys or dummies

But, for children under 1, you can support their head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible.

Even lighting and no shadows

  • there must be no shadows on the child’s face, shoulders,  or behind them
  • if there are any shadows anywhere, the passport office will reject it
  • it is the best to use natural lighting. Mornings are the best. If natural lighting is not available, use a lamp
uk passport photo child5

Stand in the right position

When you take the photo of your child:

  • the child must stand 0.5 metres (1.5 feet) away from the background (this reduces shadow)
  • the person taking the photo should stand 1.5 metres (5 feet) from the child, far enough away so that their head, shoulders and upper body are included in the photo.
  • include your head, shoulders and upper body in the photo
  • don’t crop the photo – it will be done for you
  • Body posture – stand straight in front of the camera, look directly into the lens

But, for children under 1, lay them on a plain light-coloured sheet and take the photo from above.

Plain expression and face in full view

  • face front on to the camera
  • no smile, frown, or grimace – eyes open and mouth closed
  • your child’s photo should be a good likeness and taken in the last month

But, for children under 6, they don’t have to look directly at the camera and/or they don’t need to have a plain expression.

No headwear

  • unless it’s for religious or medical reasons – it must not cover the child’s face
  • hair must be tied back or loose. Hair must not cover any part of the face
  • eyes, eyebrows and ears must be clearly visible

Eyes fully visible

  • hair must be away from your face and eyes
  • take your glasses off (if possible) – if you need to keep glasses on:
  • then your eyes must be open and visible (especially your irises) without any glare or reflections
  • there must be no “red eye” effect in the photo
  • no sunglasses or tinted glasses are allowed
  • no hair over your eyes, a fringe must be pushed to the side

But, for children under 1, they don’t have to have their eyes open.

uk passport photo child1