How to take a UK passport photo at home

You do not need a professional camera to take a digital passport photo. A recent phone or tablet can produce a clear image, but the room, lighting and camera position matter more than the equipment.

This guide is for a UK passport application completed online. It summarises the practical points in the official GOV.UK digital photo guidance. HM Passport Office makes the final decision on whether a photo is accepted.

Before you start

Ask another person to take the photo if you can. A photograph taken at arm's length is more likely to introduce an unhelpful angle, distort your face or crop out part of your upper body.

You will need:

• a phone, tablet or digital camera
• a plain, light-coloured background without a pattern or texture
• soft, even light
• enough room for the photographer to stand back

Your photo should be a good, current likeness and must have been taken within the last month.

Set up the background and light

Stand in front of a plain light-coloured wall. Remove pictures, switches, shelves and other visible objects from the frame. GOV.UK recommends standing about 50 centimetres away from the background, which helps to reduce shadows behind your head.

Face a window where possible. Natural daylight is usually easier to balance than a ceiling light or a direct flash. Check both sides of your face: neither side should be noticeably darker, and there should be no shadow on the wall behind you.

Avoid strong sunlight. It can make you squint and create sharp shadows. A bright but overcast day, or daylight softened by a thin curtain, often works better.

Position the camera

The photographer should hold the camera level with your face and roughly 1.5 metres away. Keep the device upright and use the main camera if practical.

Include your head, shoulders and upper body in the original shot. Leave space around your head. Do not zoom in tightly or cut the photograph to passport proportions yourself; the online process or photo service can handle the final framing.

Before moving on, zoom into the original image and check that your eyes and facial features are sharp. Retake it if motion or low light has made the picture blurry.

Use the correct expression and pose

Face forwards with your head straight and look directly at the camera. Keep both eyes open and visible, close your mouth and use a plain expression. Your whole face should be clear, with no hair across your eyes.

Head coverings are only permitted for religious or medical reasons, and your facial features must remain visible. GOV.UK advises not wearing glasses unless you have to. If you must wear them, your eyes cannot be hidden by frames, glare, reflections or shadows; sunglasses and tinted glasses are not suitable.

Check the original photo

Use this quick check before uploading:

• the image is in colour, clear and in focus
• the background is plain and light-coloured
• there are no people or objects behind you
• your face and background are free from shadows
• your head is straight and you are looking forwards
• your eyes are open and visible, with no red-eye or glare
• your expression is plain and your mouth is closed
• no filter, beauty effect or manual retouching has been applied

If one point is not right, retaking the photograph is usually quicker than trying to repair it afterwards.

Prepare the digital photo

When you have chosen the clearest original, upload it to Passport Photo Code. The service guides you through preparing the digital image and provides a finished photo and Photo Code for your online application.

A preparation service can help with presentation and automatic checks, but it cannot guarantee acceptance. Review the result carefully and follow any instructions shown during your passport application.

Check the official rules

Photo rules can change. Before submitting an application, compare your image with the latest GOV.UK passport photo rules and the official examples of how to take a digital passport photo.