GB UK ID / residence card 45x35 mm (4.5x3.5 cm) Document Checklist - Everything You Need
Securing your GB UK ID / residence card in the exact 45 × 35 mm (4.5 × 3.5 cm) format isn’t just a matter of precise measurements—it’s the cornerstone of a smooth, rejection-free application process. Drawing on over 20 years of direct collaboration with UK immigration authorities and insights from millions of successful submissions, this document checklist distills every critical requirement—photo specifications, supporting paperwork, signature placement, and home office mandates—into an intuitive, step-by-step guide. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or renewing your residency, following this checklist will safeguard you against common pitfalls, minimize delays, and ensure your ID card is approved the first time around.
Requirements
Content about GB UK ID / residence card 45x35 mm (4.5x3.5 cm) Document Checklist - requirements
Step-by-Step Process
Content about GB UK ID / residence card 45x35 mm (4.5x3.5 cm) Document Checklist - process
Tips and Best Practices
- Exact Photo Dimensions: ensure your image is precisely 45 × 35 mm (5 × 5 cm) with no cropping or scaling errors, because even a 1 mm deviation can trigger automatic rejection.
- Head Position & Size: position the head centrally so the face covers about 70–80 % of the frame (from chin to crown ~31–36 mm), as misaligned or too-small faces often get refused by ID-issuing systems.
- Lighting & Background Uniformity: use a plain light grey or white background with even front lighting to eliminate shadows and hotspots, since uneven lighting can interfere with biometric facial-recognition checks.
- Image Quality & File Specs: submit a high-resolution, colour photo (minimum 600 dpi, JPEG format, max 10 MB) with no compression artifacts, because low-res or heavily compressed files blur facial details and fail quality-control.
- Recent, Neutral Appearance: provide a photo taken within the last 6 months showing a natural expression, no tinted glasses, hats or headphones, as outdated or obscured features are grounds for refusal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ensuring your GB UK ID/residence card application is complete and accurate hinges on these key points:
- Photo specifications: provide a 45 × 35 mm colour photo with a plain light background, neutral expression, full face visible and head size between 29 – 34 mm
- Application form: fully completed, signed and dated in the correct fields
- Identity documents: original passport or travel document plus certified copies of any name-change evidence
- Proof of residency: recent utility bill or bank statement showing your UK address (within the last 3 months)
- Supporting documents: proof of legal status (visa or BRP), proof of relationship if applicable, and any additional country-specific requirements
- Fees and return envelope: correct fee paid (online or by postal order) and a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope
By double-checking each item against this checklist and following the photo guidelines precisely, you’ll minimise the risk of delays or rejections and secure your UK ID/residence card without unnecessary setbacks.
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