Did you know that for online applications you can have your photo taken at home with a camera, tablet or phone?
Poor quality photographs are the main reason we have to reject passport applications. Whether you choose to have your photo taken at home, by a photo professional or at a photo booth you will need to be aware of our guidelines. These will help you get your photo right first time.
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Not Acceptable |
Acceptable |
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Expression:
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Acceptable |
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Not Acceptable |
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Pose and Expression Not Acceptable |
Pose and Expression Acceptable |
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Not Acceptable Facial Features |
Acceptable Facial Features |
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Not Acceptable Background |
Acceptable Background |
Once your photo is uploaded we will check to make sure that it meets our standards.
Online applications allow you to submit a digital photo for your passport application.
There are three ways to provide your Passport photo for your online application. These are detailed below:
You can now submit a photo taken at home. Please follow these easy tips and rules:
You can get your photo code in three easy steps:
Find a photo provider: Photo Me
You can get your digital photo in three easy steps:
• Visit a photo provider, for example, a pharmacy or photographer who will take your photo and provide it to you in digital form
• Your photo can be either emailed to you or it can be saved to a digital storage device such as a USB key
• Your photo must be accessible on the device you are using to apply online
Poor quality photographs are the main reason we have to reject passport applications. Bring these photo guidelines with you to your photographer to ensure that your photo complies fully with the requirements.
1. Include 4 identical photos, no more than 6 months old with your passport application
2. Make sure they meet our requirements on pose and visuals (see above)
3. Get the witness for your application to write the form number (found on Section 9 of the application) on the back of two of your four photos. They must also sign and stamp the back of those two photos. Failure to complete this step will require a new form and new photos to be submitted
The photos should show a close up of your face and the top of your shoulders so that your face takes up between 70% and 80% of the frame.
Photographers taking Passport Photos must be aware of the differences between taking photos for the postal based passport application system and the Online Passport Renewal Service, which requires a file in digital format.
Always be clear which type of photograph your customers need:
For existing passport holders who wish to use the Online Passport Renewal Service, you should follow these guidelines for supplying them with their digital photo for their online application.
When providing the photograph
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Here are some examples of acceptable and not acceptable digital child photos:
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Pose and Expression Not Acceptable |
Pose and Expression Acceptable |
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Not Acceptable Facial Features |
Acceptable Facial Features |
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Not Acceptable Background |
Acceptable Background
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We answer some of our most commonly asked questions about photos here.
If you have a disability that prevents you meeting photo requirements, contact us and we can advise you.