UK Passport Photo in Ireland

35 × 45 mm · light grey background · HM Passport Office

€7.99 digital file · prints in Dublin

Take my UK Passport photo

Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy

Rules last checked against HM Passport Office on 12 October 2026.

About this photo

For a UK Passport, HM Passport Office asks for a plain, light-coloured background, such as cream or light grey, and a photo taken within the last month, which is stricter than most countries. Online applications take a digital JPEG of at least 600 by 750 pixels and up to 10 MB, while printed photos are 35 by 45 mm with the head 29 to 34 mm tall. Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open and clearly visible, with no shadows behind your head. HM Passport Office asks you not to wear glasses unless you have to; if you keep them, avoid any reflection or tint.

Photo requirements

UK Passport photo requirements
Photo size35 × 45 mm
Digital fileJPEG, at least 600 × 750 pixels, up to 9.5 MB, for HM Passport Office online application
Backgroundlight grey, also accepted: cream, white
Head size64–76% of the photo height (29–34 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, eyes open
GlassesAllowed. No sunglasses or tinted glasses. Eyes fully visible with no glare or reflection. Frames must not cover the eyes.
Head coveringsAllowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.
Head positionFacing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rulesPlain cream or light grey background; Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible; Nothing covering the face; no shadows on the face or behind the head; Taken within the last month; No 'red eye', no filters or alterations

Do

Illustration of an accepted photo: neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera on a plain background
Neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera

Don't

Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is smiling with teeth showing
No smiling with teeth showing
Illustration of a rejected photo: light reflects off the glasses and hides the eyes
No glare on glasses
Illustration of a rejected photo: a shadow falls across the face and background
No shadows on the face or background
Illustration of a rejected photo: the head is tilted to one side
Do not tilt your head

How it works

  1. 1. Take or upload a photo

    Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.

  2. 2. We size and check it

    We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.

  3. 3. Download and use it

    Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Questions about UK Passport photos

What size is a UK Passport photo?

UK Passport photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 64–76% of the photo height (29–34 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).

What background does a UK Passport photo need?

A plain light grey background (cream, white is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.

Can I wear glasses in a UK Passport photo?

Yes. No sunglasses or tinted glasses. Eyes fully visible with no glare or reflection. Frames must not cover the eyes.

Can I smile in a UK Passport photo?

No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.

Can I wear a head covering?

Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.

Can I take a UK Passport photo at home?

Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by HM Passport Office. PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.

What file does the online application need?

A digital photo file: JPEG, at least 600 × 750 pixels, up to 9.5 MB, for HM Passport Office online application. Your download is prepared to these settings.

How much does a UK Passport photo cost in Ireland?

€7.99 for the digital file, paid once. Prints with pharmacy pickup or delivery in Dublin are also available at selected times.

What if something is wrong with my photo?

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Official source: HM Passport Office

Read the rules on the authority's website: HM Passport Office (gov.uk).

Rules last checked against HM Passport Office on 12 October 2026.

Related pages

Take my UK Passport photo