Applying for a passport requires attention to detail, and one crucial aspect is your passport photo. Whether you’re submitting a paper application or an online one, understanding the correct passport photo size is essential to avoid delays. This guide will clearly explain the required dimensions for passport photos, ensuring your application process is as smooth as possible.
Understanding the Dimensions for Printed Passport Photos
For paper passport applications, you will need to provide two identical printed photographs. These photos must adhere to specific size regulations to be accepted. The standard size for a printed passport photo is 45 millimeters (mm) high by 35mm wide. This precise measurement is the benchmark, and it’s the size commonly produced by photo booths in the UK and many other countries.
To put it simply, your passport photo should not be a cropped version of a larger picture. It needs to be specifically printed to meet these exact dimensions. If you are using a photo booth outside of the UK, it’s crucial to verify that it can produce photos that are 45mm in height and 35mm in width to meet international standards.
Image Size within the Passport Photo
While the overall photo size is 45mm x 35mm, the image of your face within the photo also has specific size requirements. The measurement from the crown of your head to your chin must be between 29mm and 34mm. This ensures that your face is appropriately sized within the photograph and clearly visible for identification purposes.
Passport photo dimensions showing required head size, measured from crown to chin.
Quality and Composition: Key Elements of Your Passport Photo
Beyond size, the quality and composition of your printed photos are equally important. To be accepted, your photos must be:
- Professionally Printed: Photos should be printed to a high standard, similar to what you’d expect from a professional photo service.
- Clear and Focused: The image must be sharp and in focus, ensuring clear facial features.
- Color and Paper: Photos must be in color and printed on plain white photographic paper, without any borders.
- Condition: Photos should be free from creases, tears, and any markings on either side (unless a countersignature is required).
- Unedited: Photos must not be altered by computer software to change your appearance.
Furthermore, your passport photo needs to properly showcase your appearance:
- Close-up: It should be a close-up shot of your full head and upper shoulders.
- No Obstructions: The photo should only feature you, with no other people or objects visible.
- Background: The background must be plain cream or light grey, providing a clear contrast to your face.
- Red-eye Free: Ensure there is no ‘red-eye’ effect in the photo.
In terms of your pose and expression:
- Facing Forward: You must face directly towards the camera.
- Neutral Expression: Maintain a plain expression with your mouth closed.
- Eyes Visible: Your eyes must be open and clearly visible, with no hair obscuring them.
- No Head Coverings: Avoid head coverings unless worn for religious or medical reasons.
- Face Uncovered: Nothing should cover your face.
- No Shadows: There should be no shadows on your face or in the background.
Regarding eyewear, it is preferable not to wear glasses in your passport photo unless absolutely necessary. If glasses are required, they must not be sunglasses or tinted, and they must not obscure your eyes due to frames, glare, reflection, or shadows.
Example of a high-quality passport photo that meets passport application requirements.
Guidelines for Photos of Babies and Children
When taking passport photos of babies and children, there are some adjusted guidelines. Children must be the only subject in the photo and babies should not have toys or dummies present.
For children under 6, they are not required to look directly at the camera or have a neutral expression. For infants under one year old, their eyes do not need to be open. You can support a baby’s head with your hand, provided your hand is not visible in the photograph.
Submitting Your Printed Photos
When submitting your passport application with printed photos, ensure that the two photos are separate from each other. They should be left loose and not attached to the application form in any way.
By adhering to these guidelines regarding passport photo size and quality, you can ensure that your passport application proceeds without unnecessary complications or delays. Double-checking these requirements before submitting your application is always a wise step.
