Information for photographers

These guidelines are for photographic studios producing photographs for United Kingdom passports.

The Identity and Passport Service’s photographic standards are designed to ensure that photographs submitted with passport applications are suitable for biometrically enabled passports. These passports meet the requirements set out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the governing body that recommends standards for travel documents.

The technological advances involved in creating biometric passports mean that the customer must be accurately represented and that the photograph is free of common defects that might delay an application.

The basics

Photo-checking template

You should download a copy of our photo-checking template. This is the same template that Post Offices use. It ensures that there is sufficient distance between the key facial reference points for us to obtain a facial biometric.

We recommend that you print this PDF onto clear acetate, as there are two templates on the PDF - you should simply cut into two. For ease of use we suggest you affix one edge of the template to a white backing board, enabling you to slide the photo under the acetate. In order for photos to pass this template, we recommend that you ensure that the measurement of the face from the bottom of the chin to the crown (ie the top of the head, not the top of the hair) is between 29mm and 34mm.

Where possible, we recommend that you try to meet the upper limit of these measurements, but always ensuring that there is a suitable distance between the edge of the image and the edge of the subject's face. It is not necessary for all of the subject's hair to be in shot.

You should also read through 'Guidelines for passport photographs', which is issued to all customers applying for a passport; here you’ll find some good examples of photographs.

IPS cannot advise on photographs for British passport applications made overseas. Please contact your nearest British representation or check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

Quantity and format

The applicant must submit two identical photos, produced from the same film or from the same electronic file capturing the digital image. Digital enhancement is not acceptable as this can result in the capture of an inaccurate biometric.

Paper and sizing

• photos must measure 45mm by 35mm
• photos must be printed on high quality, medium / low gloss or matt photographic paper. Photos produced at home are unlikely to be acceptable, as they will not meet the high standards delivered by professional equipment and may not allow us to capture an accurate biometric
• heavy weight paper, ie cardboard, is not acceptable
• corrugated paper is not acceptable
• photos must have a backing that allows the countersignatory to certify one of the photos and sign in ink, without smearing
• trademarks or other printing on the reverse is acceptable, provided it does not show through when the photo is scanned onto our system. This is most likely to occur where bold back print is used, and the image captured is very pale. If back-printed paper is used, proper lighting and exposure is even more important than usual

Glasses

Glasses can often show reflection or glare from flash, and the frames can obscure facial features. We strongly recommend that customers who wear glasses remove them to ensure that an accurate biometric can be obtained. While this may mean that their passport photo does not show them as they usually appear, their photo will still be a good likeness.

Customers with a visual impairment should also follow this guidance. If they wear dark, tinted or mirrored glasses, they must remove them - otherwise a biometric cannot be captured.

General photo requirements

Photos must be clear, sharp and in focus. They must be a true likeness of the subject.

Only submit colour photographs; black and white photos are not acceptable. Photos must not be manipulated, for example, by removing spots or softening lines or shadows. Mirror images (that is where the picture is flipped from one side to another, left to right or right to left) cannot be used.

Where very young children are being supported, you must ensure that no hands are visible. We recommend that infants who are unable to support themselves are laid on a light grey sheet and photographed from above.

Face

• eyes must be open and clearly visible, with no flash reflections and no 'red eye'
• facial expression must be neutral (neither frowning nor smiling), with the mouth closed
• photos must show both edges of the face clearly
• photos must show a full front view of face and shoulders, squared to the camera 
• the face and shoulder image must be centred in the photo; do not show the subject looking over one shoulder (portrait style), or with head tilted to one side or backwards or forwards
• there must be no hair across the eyes
• hats or head coverings are not permitted except when worn for religious reasons and only if the full facial features are clearly visible
• photos with shadows on the face are unacceptable
• photos must reflect/represent natural skin tone

Background

• photos with shadows on the background are unacceptable
• photos must be taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflection on the face and head
• photos must show a plain, uniform, light grey or cream background. 5 - 10 per cent grey is recommended as a background

Exceptions

• children aged over one and under six years: the requirements for mouths to be closed and eyes looking at the camera are waived
• infants under the age of 12 months: we only require that the image shows a good likeness. The requirements on eyes open and mouth closed, for example, are waived. In practice, we have also waived the template check requirement for babies
• applicants with either physical or mental disabilities may find it difficult to meet our requirements. We will accept as good as image as possible, accompanied by a statement that they cannot meet the requirement because of disability

Further help

For further advice, please contact the passport advice line on 0300 222 0000. If they are unable to assist, your message will be passed onto the relevant person.

For more detailed technical information, you can refer to the ISO Standard on Face Biometrics (including image capture) ISO 19794-5 which can be found on the website for the ISO, the international organisation for standardisation.