Seafarer Identity Card Photo in the UK
35 × 45 mm · white background · Marine Survey Office
£6.99 digital file
Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy
Rules last checked against Marine Survey Office on 25 October 2026.
About this photo
The Seafarer Identity Card photo accepted by the Marine Survey Office is a 35 by 45 mm portrait. Home photos are accepted when they follow the rules, so a well-lit phone picture taken by someone else works. Use a plain white or light grey or off-white background with nothing behind you and no shadow on the wall. This one is still a paper process, which means printed photos and no online upload. Head height from chin to crown is 32 to 36 mm. Two identical passport-type photographs on normal photographic paper, each signed on the back by the applicant and the countersignatory. Upload your picture and we size it for the Seafarer Identity Card, replace the background and verify the proportions before checkout.
Photo requirements
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Background | white, also accepted: light grey, off-white |
| Head size | 71–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Allowed. No tinted lenses or sunglasses. No glare on the lenses. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes. |
| Head coverings | Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible. |
| Head position | Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10° |
| Other rules | Two identical passport-type photographs on normal photographic paper, each signed on the back by the applicant and the countersignatory; Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera |
Do
Don't
How it works
1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
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 Seafarer Identity Card photos
What size is a Seafarer Identity Card photo?
Seafarer Identity Card photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 71–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).
What background does a Seafarer Identity Card photo need?
A plain white background (light grey, off-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 Seafarer Identity Card photo?
Yes. No tinted lenses or sunglasses. No glare on the lenses. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes.
Can I smile in a Seafarer Identity Card 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 Seafarer Identity Card 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 Marine Survey Office. PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.
How much does a Seafarer Identity Card photo cost in the UK?
£6.99 for the digital file, paid once. It includes a print-at-home sheet you can print at any photo shop.
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: Marine Survey Office
Read the rules on the authority's website: Marine Survey Office (seafarers.ie).
Rules last checked against Marine Survey Office on 25 October 2026.
Related pages
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- Firearm Certificate photo · 35 × 45 mm