CitizenCard (UK ID card) Photo in the US

35 × 45 mm · light grey background · CitizenCard

$8.99 digital file

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

Rules last checked against CitizenCard on 12 October 2026.

About this photo

For a CitizenCard (UK ID card) photo, the CitizenCard sets the print size at 35 x 45 mm. A photo taken at home with a phone is fine provided it meets these rules; ask someone else to take it at eye level. Taken within the last six months. Online, CitizenCard online application takes an upload at least 720 by 1280 pixels, as a JPEG. Your head, chin to crown, should measure 32 to 36 mm on the print. A light grey or cream or white background is accepted, as long as it is uniform and without pattern. We crop your picture to the CitizenCard (UK ID card) format, set the background and check the head size before you pay.

Photo requirements

CitizenCard (UK ID card) photo requirements
Photo size35 × 45 mm
Digital fileJPEG, at least 720 × 1280 pixels, for CitizenCard online application
Backgroundlight grey, also accepted: cream, white
Head size70–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, eyes open
GlassesAllowed. Eyes visible and free from reflection or glare; no sunglasses or tinted glasses.
Head coveringsAllowed for religious or medical reasons. No hats, caps, fashion hair accessories or glasses on the head.
Head positionFacing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rulesPrinted photos 45 mm high x 35 mm wide, not trimmed from a larger photo; Taken within the last six months; Plain, light-coloured background; Neutral expression, mouth closed; Not altered by software, filters or AI

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 CitizenCard (UK ID card) photos

What size is a CitizenCard (UK ID card) photo?

CitizenCard (UK ID card) photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 70–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).

What background does a CitizenCard (UK ID card) 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 CitizenCard (UK ID card) photo?

Yes. Eyes visible and free from reflection or glare; no sunglasses or tinted glasses.

Can I smile in a CitizenCard (UK ID 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. No hats, caps, fashion hair accessories or glasses on the head.

Can I take a CitizenCard (UK ID 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 CitizenCard. 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 720 × 1280 pixels, for CitizenCard online application. Your download is prepared to these settings.

How much does a CitizenCard (UK ID card) photo cost in the US?

$8.99 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: CitizenCard

Read the rules on the authority's website: CitizenCard (citizencard.com).

Rules last checked against CitizenCard on 12 October 2026.

Related pages

Take my CitizenCard (UK ID card) photo