Taking Perfect GB UK Passport online Photos at Home - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: image must measure 45 mm width × 35 mm height in portrait orientation
• Head size: distance from chin to crown must be between 29 mm and 34 mm to ensure proper framing
• Background: plain light grey or cream background with no patterns, textures, shadows or objects
• Lighting & exposure: even, diffused lighting on the face with no harsh shadows, glare, reflection or red-eye
• Facial expression & pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at camera, no tilt or tilt
• Eye & face visibility: eyes fully visible and not obscured by hair, head tilt or heavy frames; pupils horizontally aligned
• Headwear: no hats or head coverings except for documented religious needs, with full face from chin to forehead and both sides visible
• Glasses & accessories: glasses not recommended; if worn they must be thin-framed, clear-lensed with no reflection or tint
• Camera & resolution: use a high-resolution digital camera or smartphone (≥ 600 DPI), sharply focused on the face
• File format & size: submit JPEG or PNG in sRGB colour space between 50 kB and 10 MB file size
• Digital alterations: no filters, retouching or morphological changes (minor red-eye correction only)
• Printing considerations: if printing at home, use high-quality photographic paper (matte or gloss), no borders, maintain correct dimensions and clarity

Step-by-Step Process

Content about Taking Perfect GB UK Passport online Photos at Home - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Background and Lighting: use a pale grey or cream wall lit by two diffused light sources at 45° angles to eliminate shadows and colour casts—ensures the background meets UK specs and avoids auto-rejection for uneven lighting
• Head Position and Framing: position your camera 5 m away at eye level and frame so the head is centred with 29–34 mm from chin to crown—prevents cropping errors and guarantees the correct head size for biometric checks
• Neutral Expression and Eyes Visible: keep your mouth closed, eyes fully open, looking straight at the lens, with no hair or frames obscuring the face—captures all biometric features and avoids retakes for expressions or obstructions
• No Glasses or Accessories: remove prescription glasses, sunglasses, hats and jewellery (except for approved religious items) to prevent glare and reflections—ensures clear visibility of eyes and facial contours for identity verification
• Correct Resolution and File Format: shoot at a minimum of 600 dpi, save as high-quality JPEG, crop to 35×45 mm with 531×731 pixels, and keep file size between 50 KB and 10 MB—complies with GOV.UK upload rules and avoids technical rejection

Conclusion

Conclusion

With careful attention to background, lighting, head positioning and technical specs, you can capture a UK passport‐compliant photo at home that meets all official requirements and avoids costly delays.

Key Points

• Background: plain cream or light grey, no patterns or shadows
• Lighting: even, natural or soft artificial light, no reflections or harsh shadows
• Framing: camera at eye level, head centered, top of shoulders visible
• Expression: neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open, direct gaze
• Head size: 29–34 mm from chin to crown within 35×45 mm frame
• Accessories: remove glasses, hats or hair covering face
• Image quality: high resolution (min. 600 dpi), sharp focus, natural color
• Digital specs: JPG/PNG, correct file size as per online form
• Final check: use the government’s online tool to crop, align and verify compliance before submission