If you’re wondering, ‘Where can I get a passport photo’, you’re not alone.
With so many choices available, from booths, high-street shops to online tools, knowing which option works best can be tricky.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the main places to get your passport photo in the UK, so you can pick the option that suits you.
Yet—
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Related reading:
- How to take a passport photo with an iPhone
- How to take a passport photo with Android
- How to take a passport photo on your phone
- How to convert a photo to passport size
- Best passport photo apps (Free & paid)
- How to fast-track a UK passport renewal
- First-time application and passport renewal at the post office
HM Passport Office guidelines for passport photos
Before deciding where to get your passport photo, it helps to know the UK government’s requirements.
Here are the key rules:
| Category | Printed photos | Digital photos |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | 2 identical prints | 1 uploaded image |
| Overall size | 45 × 35 mm | Minimum 600 × 750 px |
| Head size/framing | 29–34 mm chin-to-crown; full head and top of shoulders visible | Full head, shoulders, and upper body in frame |
| Colour | In full colour | 〃 |
| File format | – | JPEG |
| File size | – | 50 KB–10 MB |
| Paper and print quality | Photo-quality paper, matte or glossy; clear, in focus; no borders; no creases, tears, or marks | – |
| Background | Plain white, cream, or light grey; solid, no patterns/objects; clear contrast with face; no people or shadows | 〃 |
| Lighting | Even lighting; no shadows on face or background; no ‘red-eye’ | 〃 |
| Pose and expression | Face straight on; neutral expression; mouth closed; eyes open and clearly visible; don’t tilt your head | 〃 |
| Glasses | Allowed, but no tint or glare; frames mustn’t cover eyes; sunglasses not allowed | 〃 |
| Head coverings | Only for religious or medical reasons; face fully visible; no shadowing | 〃 |
| Clothing | Plain, everyday clothing | 〃 |
| Facial visibility | Hair can’t cover eyes or face | 〃 |
| Accessories | No items that obscure the face (e.g. headphones) | 〃 |
| Editing/filters | No filters, retouching, or digital alterations | 〃 |
| Photo age | Taken within the last month | 〃 |
| Children | Child must be alone: no toys, bottles, or dummies. Under-6s don’t need a neutral look or to look straight at the camera | 〃 |
| Babies | Eyes may be closed; no supporting hands visible | 〃 |
Where to take passport photos
There are two main routes: in person and online. Each has pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your needs and preferences.
Self-service photo booths
You’ll find over 3,700 Photo-Me booths in UK supermarkets, shopping centres, and train stations.
- Price: usually £5–8 per set.
- What you get: instant prints and, in many modern booths, a digital code for online passport applications.
- Pros: convenient, open throughout the day, no appointment needed.
- Cons: no staff to guide you; tricky for babies or toddlers (since children must be photographed alone, with no hands visible).
High-street photo shops and pharmacies
Chains like Timpson (including Max Spielmann outlets), Snappy Snaps, and some pharmacies provide in-store services.
- Price: generally £10–15; Timpson starts at £12.99.
- What you get: printed photos plus a digital code. Staff adjust lighting and background to official standards.
- Pros: expert guidance and higher first-time acceptance rates. Shops are also experienced with baby and child photos.
- Cons: more expensive than a booth, and limited to store hours.
Post Office Check & Send
Selected Post Offices run a Check & Send service.
- Price: ~£16
- What you get: staff take your photo, check it against requirements, and either provide a digital version or submit it with your application.
- Pros: one-stop service with official oversight.
- Cons: not all branches offer it; queues are common; higher cost.
At home
You can also take your photo with a smartphone (or camera) using online tools like PhotoAiD®, Passport Photo Online, ePassportPhoto, and others.
In the next section, I’ll cover what you need to know about PhotoAiD® specifically.
Taking your passport photo with PhotoAiD®
Using PhotoAiD® is the easiest way to get a compliant UK passport photo. It’s an online tool that lets you take a picture at home with your phone.
Here’s how it works:
- Take or upload a photo.
- The AI crops it to the correct size, adjusts the lighting and replaces the background with a compliant one.
- One of our human experts (available 24/7) reviews the image before it’s approved.
Within minutes, you’ll get a professional-quality passport photo. You can download it for an online application or order printed copies delivered to your door.
What makes PhotoAiD® stand out
- Take your photo anywhere: you can snap your passport photo at home, at work, or even while travelling. No need to hunt down a booth or shop.
- Competitive pricing: at £9.95 for a digital photo or £12.95 for prints with free delivery, it usually works out cheaper than high-street shops.
- 100% compliance guarantee: if HM Passport Office rejects a photo, you’ll get a full refund plus the same amount again.
- Unlimited retakes: you can try as many shots as you like until you’re happy with the result. That’s especially handy when photographing children.
- 24/7 customer support: help is available around the clock, even on weekends and bank holidays.
- Use any device: PhotoAiD® works on desktop, iOS (Passport photo app iOS), and Android (Passport photo app Android).
- Covers 150+ document types: beyond UK passports, you can generate compliant photos for visas, driving licences, and other IDs.
- Trusted by millions: with over one million users yearly and an average 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating, PhotoAiD® has proven reliability.
Getting a passport photo can be a hassle. Our tool makes the process fast, easy, and stress-free. Here’s how it works:
Upload an existing photo or take a new one.
Our AI handles sizing, lighting, and background removal. Then, one of our experts reviews every detail to ensure it meets official standards—24/7.
Download your perfected photo right away, print at home, or order prints with free shipping.
FAQ
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As a Digital PR specialist and a member of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), I have 5+ years of writing experience.
Over the course of my career, my work has garnered significant attention, with features in numerous prominent publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, BBC, TechRepublic, Glassdoor, and G2.
