UK baby passport photo: size and rules
A UK child passport photo must show your baby clearly against a plain cream or light grey background. You can apply with two printed photos or submit a digital photo online; HM Passport Office makes the final decision on whether the photo meets its rules.[1][2]
Photo size and head measurement
For a paper application, provide two identical colour photos, each 35 mm wide by 45 mm high (1.38 × 1.77 inches). The photo must not be a cut down version of a larger picture.[1]
The image of the child, from the crown of the head to the chin, must be between 29 mm and 34 mm high (about 1.14–1.34 inches). The photographer guidance describes this as the distance from the bottom of the chin to the crown, the top of the head, not the top of the hair.[1][3]
The official guidance gives no pixel dimensions, dots-per-inch value, eye-height measurement, or top-margin measurement for a digital photo. It also does not give a file-size limit in the listed photo rules, so do not treat a particular pixel count or file size as an official requirement.[1][2]
Background, light and face
Use a plain cream or light grey background. Keep it even, without a pattern, texture, objects, or shadows. The child must stand out clearly from it, and there must be no shadows on the face or behind the child.[1][2]
Show a close-up of the child’s full head and upper shoulders, alone in the picture. The face should be clear, in focus, in colour, and free of red eye. Do not use filters or alter the image to correct it.[1][2]
For general photos, the rules say to face forward and look straight at the camera, with eyes open and visible, a plain expression, and the mouth closed. Hair must not cover the eyes. Some of these rules have exceptions for young children, described below.[1][2]
Eyes, glasses and head coverings
Children under 1 do not have to have their eyes open. Children under 6 do not need a plain expression. Children under 6 may also have their mouth open and look away from the camera.[1][2][3]
Remove glasses unless the child has to wear them. If glasses must stay on, they cannot be tinted or sunglasses, and the eyes must not be hidden by frames, glare, reflection, or shadow.[1][3]
A head covering is allowed only for religious or medical reasons. The face must remain fully visible; nothing may cover it.[1][2]
Taking a baby’s photo at home
Choose a time when your baby is calm and alert. Use a plain cream or light grey sheet or wall, and place the baby where the light is even. As practical advice, try daylight from a window and turn off a flash that causes glare. The official guidance recommends laying infants who cannot support themselves on a light grey sheet and photographing from above.[3]
Keep the baby alone in the frame. Do not include toys or a dummy. You may support the baby’s head, but your hand must not show. Take several pictures so you can choose one that is sharp and gives a clear view of the face and shoulders.[1][3]
Review the chosen picture at full size. Check the background and face for shadows, red eye, blur, glare, or anything covering the face. Check that it is a recent, true likeness; the public photo guidance says it must have been taken in the last month.[1][2]
Printed or digital application
For a paper application, send two identical photos. They must be professionally printed, in colour, on plain white photographic paper with no border. Home prints are not usually clear enough for biometric measurements, according to the photographer guidance.[1][3]
The tool above can place photos on a 4 × 6-inch sheet for kiosk printing. Check that each finished photo measures 35 × 45 mm and meets the print-quality rules. GOV.UK says photos must not be cut down from a larger picture.[1]
For an online application, submit a digital photo by uploading one taken at home or obtained from a shop, or by entering a photo code from a shop or booth. The digital rules require colour, no effects or filters, and an unedited photo. The authority sets no pixel dimensions or file-size limit in the listed applicant guidance.[1][2][4]
Common reasons a photo may be refused
A photo may fail if its size or head measurement is wrong, if it is cropped from a larger picture, or if it is blurry, marked, torn, creased, or altered. A border, unsuitable paper, shadows, red eye, or a background that is not plain cream or light grey can also cause problems.[1]
Other common problems include a face that is partly covered, hair across the eyes, visible hands, toys or a dummy in a baby’s photo, or glasses that hide the eyes or reflect light. For children who do not meet an age exception, a closed or hidden eye, smile, open mouth, or failure to face the camera may also be an issue.[1][2][3]
If sending a paper application, keep the two photos separate and loose; do not attach them to the form. GOV.UK says your application will be delayed if the photos do not meet the rules.[1]
Frequently asked questions
What size is a UK baby passport photo?
Each printed photo must measure 35 mm wide by 45 mm high (1.38 × 1.77 inches). The head image, from crown to chin, must be 29–34 mm high.[1]
Can a baby have closed eyes in a passport photo?
Yes. A child under 1 does not have to have their eyes open. Children who are 1 to under 6 have a different set of exceptions; check the child rules before taking the picture.[1][2][3]
Can I take my baby’s passport photo at home?
Yes, digital photos for online applications can be taken at home. For paper applications, provide two professionally printed photos that meet the size and paper rules.[1][2][3]
Can I print the photo at a kiosk?
A paper application accepts printed photos, but they must be professionally printed, in colour on plain white photographic paper, without a border, and each must be 35 × 45 mm. Check the kiosk print carefully; the official guidance says photos must not be cut down from a larger picture.[1]
Does a UK baby passport photo need a white background?
No. The applicant guidance specifies a plain cream or light grey background. It does not list white as an allowed background.[1]