Printed UK Passport Photos: Size, Paper and the Back-of-Photo Rules
Applying by paper means two identical prints on plain white photographic paper, 45mm by 35mm, left loose in the envelope. Here is every rule GOV.UK sets for printed photos, and the small mistakes that get them sent back.
By Helal · Last updated
What do printed UK passport photos have to look like?
If you apply for a passport on paper rather than online, GOV.UK asks for two identical printed photos. Each one has to measure "45 millimetres (mm) high by 35mm wide," with the image of your face "between 29mm and 34mm high." They must be "printed to a professional standard," in colour, on "plain white photographic paper with no border."
That paragraph contains most of what goes wrong. People print one photo, or print two that are cropped differently, or use glossy office paper with a white border, or write their name on the back. Each of those is avoidable, and each is a reason for the application to stall while a replacement is found.
This guide walks through the printed-photo rules one at a time, explains the reasoning behind the ones that look fussy, and covers the practical questions: where to get the prints, what to do with them, and when a printed photo is the wrong choice altogether.
The size rules
Three measurements matter, and they all come from the same GOV.UK page.
The photo itself: 45mm high by 35mm wide. This is the standard passport portrait shape, taller than it is wide. For the full breakdown of why the numbers are what they are, see UK passport photo size: every measurement, explained.
Your face: 29mm to 34mm high. GOV.UK says the image of your face "must be between 29mm and 34mm high." That is measured from the crown of your head to your chin. It is the rule that catches photos taken too far away, where the whole print looks fine but your head is a small oval in the middle of it.
No cut-down photos. The photo must not be "a cut down version of a larger picture." This matters if you are tempted to trim a larger print with scissors. A cut print tends to have uneven edges and a face size that was never calibrated to the final dimensions. Print at the right size in the first place.
The paper and print quality rules
The wording is precise, so here is the full list from GOV.UK:
- printed to a professional standard
- clear and in focus
- in colour, on plain white photographic paper with no border
- without any creases or tears
- unaltered by computer software
Photographic paper is the point people miss. Ordinary office paper, even good paper, is not photographic paper. Ink sits differently on it, it wrinkles more easily, and it looks unlike the prints a photo booth or a lab produces. A home inkjet printer on plain A4 is the most common way to end up with a technically wrong photo. If you want to print at home, print your own passport photos: what works and what does not covers the paper, printer settings and where it goes wrong.
No border. A white frame around the picture, like an old-style snapshot, breaks the "no border" rule. The picture should fill the print to the edge.
No creases or tears. A photo that has been folded in a bag, or pressed under other paperwork, will show marks. HM Passport Office's examiner guidance also lists "staple holes" and "serrated edges" among the reasons a paper photo can be rejected, so keep prints away from staplers and never trim them with pinking shears.
Unaltered by computer software. The same phrase appears in the digital rules. In practice it means no retouching your face before printing, and no filters that change how you look.
What has to be in the picture
The content rules for a printed photo are the same as for a digital one. GOV.UK asks for:
- a close-up of your full head and upper shoulders
- a plain cream or light grey background
- no other objects or people
- your face in clear contrast to the background
- no "red eye"
- you facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
- a plain expression and your mouth closed
- your eyes open and visible
- no hair in front of your eyes
- no head covering (unless it is for religious or medical reasons)
- nothing covering your face
- no shadows on your face or behind you
A printed photo is no more forgiving on any of these than a digital one. If anything it is less forgiving, because you cannot correct it once it is on paper. That is a strong argument for checking the photo on screen before you print. Our passport photo checker looks at the same points before you spend anything on prints.
Why the back of the photo has to stay blank
GOV.UK says the photos must be "unmarked on both sides (unless a photo needs to be countersigned)." This surprises people who are used to writing a name and date on the back of a photograph.
The reason is practical. A scanned photo goes through automated checks, and a pen mark, a sticker or an adhesive residue on the reverse can show through or leave a mark on the front. It also means the photos stay clean for the passport itself.
The exception is the countersignature. When your application needs someone to vouch for your likeness, they write a short statement and sign the back of one of the photos. Until you know your application needs one, leave the back of both prints untouched.
How to submit them
Two rules that people get wrong because they seem like details:
Keep them separate. GOV.UK says the photos must be "separated from each other." Do not stick two prints together back to back, and do not send them in a strip.
Do not attach them. They must be "left loose and not attached to your application form." No staples, no paperclips, no glue, no sticky tape. Put them in the envelope with the form and no fastening of any kind.
If you are unsure where they go inside the envelope, a small plain envelope or a clean sheet of paper folded around them stops them sliding about and picking up creases in the post.
A note on photo booths
Photo booths inside the UK are set up to produce passport-sized prints, but the machine does not know which country's rules you are following. GOV.UK's advice about booths is a caution for anyone abroad: if you use one outside the UK, "check it can give you photos that measure 45mm high by 35mm wide," because many countries use a different size.
Whichever booth you use, look at the strip before you walk away. Check that your eyes are open, your mouth is closed and there are no shadows. If it is wrong, take it again while you are still standing there.
Printed or digital: which should you use?
GOV.UK's online passport service accepts a digital photo, and the printed rules above apply to paper applications. If you have a choice, the practical differences are:
- Online is cheaper. GOV.UK states: "It's £13.50 cheaper to apply for a passport online than by post." Check the current fees on GOV.UK before you decide.
- Online is quicker. GOV.UK says "It takes longer to apply by post than online."
- Paper needs two matching prints and postage. You cannot correct a paper photo once it is printed.
There are still good reasons to apply on paper. Some people are not comfortable applying online, and some applications need a countersignature on the photo itself. For a fuller comparison, read digital versus printed passport photos.
Common mistakes with printed photos
Printing on plain paper. The commonest one. Use photographic paper.
Leaving a white border. Print to the edge.
Two different photos. The two prints must be identical, so print both from the same file in the same session.
Wrong scale. Printing software often shrinks images to fit the page. Set the print to 100 per cent, with no "fit to page," and measure a test print with a ruler before you cut anything.
Writing on the back. Even a light pencil mark counts. Leave both prints blank unless someone is countersigning.
Old photos. GOV.UK asks for photos taken in the last month. A print from a photo shoot last year is not acceptable, however good it looks.
Check your photo before you submit
If your photo is not yet the right size, the passport photo resizer sets it to the UK passport size of 35 by 45 millimetres before you print.
Frequently asked questions
How many printed photos do I need?
Two. GOV.UK asks for "2 identical photos" for a paper application.
What size is a UK passport photo in centimetres?
4.5cm high by 3.5cm wide, which is 45mm by 35mm. Your face should measure between 2.9cm and 3.4cm from crown to chin.
Can I print my passport photo at home?
The rules require professional-standard printing on plain white photographic paper with no border. A home printer can meet that only if you use real photographic paper and a good quality setting. If you are not sure, a lab print is safer.
Can I staple the photos to my application form?
No. They must be "left loose and not attached to your application form." Staple holes are also a listed reason for rejection.
Do I need to sign the back?
Not unless the photo needs to be countersigned. If it does, the countersignatory signs, not you.
Will a photo booth print be accepted?
A booth that produces 45mm by 35mm prints that meet the content rules is a normal route. Check the prints before you leave the booth, because the machine cannot judge your expression or shadows for you.
Sources
- GOV.UK, Get a passport photo: printed photos
- GOV.UK, Apply for or renew a passport
- HM Passport Office, Photo standards (accessible)