Senior SmartPass Photo in the UK
35 × 45 mm · white background · Department of Social Protection
£6.99 digital file
Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy
Rules last checked against Department of Social Protection on 25 October 2026.
About this photo
The Department of Social Protection asks for a Senior SmartPass photo of 35 by 45 mm. There is no upload step: the photo is handed in as a print with the paper application. Home photos are accepted when they follow the rules, so a well-lit phone picture taken by someone else works. The background must be plain white or light grey or off-white, evenly lit and free of shadows. Form FTNI1 at an Intreo Centre with a recent passport-standard colour photograph for free travel in Northern Ireland. Head height from chin to crown is 32 to 36 mm. From a phone picture we produce the Senior SmartPass photo at this size and verify the framing against the Department of Social Protection rules.
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 | Taken within the last 6 months; Form FTNI1 at an Intreo Centre with a recent passport-standard colour photograph for free travel in Northern Ireland; 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 Senior SmartPass photos
What size is a Senior SmartPass photo?
Senior SmartPass 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 Senior SmartPass 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 Senior SmartPass 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 Senior SmartPass 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 Senior SmartPass 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 Department of Social Protection. PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.
How much does a Senior SmartPass 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: Department of Social Protection
Read the rules on the authority's website: Department of Social Protection (gov.ie).
Rules last checked against Department of Social Protection on 25 October 2026.
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