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Passport Photo Online

Digital Passport Photo Service: F.A.Q.

1. How much is your passport photo service?

   Prices start at £2.95 for the Digital package, or £6.95 for Digital + 8 Prints with free Royal Mail delivery.

    

   Package	What’s included	Cost
   Digital	Digital photo (instant download) Photo code for online application Printable template	£2.95
   Digital + 8 Prints	Everything in Digital 8 high-quality prints Free Royal Mail delivery	£6.95

    

   Whatever option you choose, you can pay either with your credit/debit card or PayPal / Google Pay.

2. How soon will I get my passport pictures?

   • Digital photos will be available immediately after payment (download + email copy).
   • Printed photos will be delivered to your address in 2 working days via Royal Mail.

3. What if my photo is rejected?

   If your photo is rejected, you can choose a full refund or a free retake — your choice.

    

   Option	What happens	Cost
   Immediate refund	We return the full amount to your original payment method (card or PayPal).	£0
   Free retake	We redo your photo at no charge, with an additional human expert double-check.	£0

    

   To start either option, email hello@photobooth.online with your order number.

    

   Our photos are approved in 99.7% of cases, so rejections are rare.

4. What picture do I have to upload?

   Take a photo of yourself (or ask someone to take it for you) using any digital camera — for example, the one on your phone.

    

   • Your head and shoulders must be fully visible.
   • Leave some space above your head.
   • The dimensions, aspect ratio, and background can be anything — we’ll edit them for you.
   • All other passport photo requirements must be met.

    

   

5. What do I do if your expert keeps rejecting my photo?

   Follow the checker’s tips to fix the issues and retake your photo; when it’s correct you’ll see a green check mark. If you’re sure your photo is correct, you can still proceed and complete your order with this picture.

    

   How to fix a rejection with our checker

   • Our checker shows what’s wrong (for example, “Head tilted or turned” or “Uneven lighting or shadows on face”).
   • It also gives recommendations on how to fix each mistake.
   • Read the tips closely and take a new picture.
   • When done correctly, it will pass our expert check and show a green check mark.

    

   

   If you’re confident the photo is correct

   You can proceed and complete your order with your picture without following the checker’s recommendations.

6. How do I print digital passport photos purchased here?

   1. Download the printable 6×4″ template and copy it onto a storage device (for example, a USB drive).
   2. Bring the storage device to any store or photo centre that provides printing services.
   3. Tell the staff that you need to print out passport photos on a 6×4″ sheet—they’ll know what to do.

7. Can you take your own passport photo?

   Yes, HMPO explicitly allows applicants to take pictures using their own devices.
    
   However, you’ll have to make sure your snapshot meets the biometric standards for a UK passport photo. If you’re taking your picture by yourself (that is, without the help of any online services) read these specifications closely – or watch the below video by His Majesty’s Passport Office.

   Official HMPO Guidance

   Read full transcript

   You can now take your passport photo at home with a friend. It’s quick and easy, giving you more time to get ready for your travels.

   Use a plain background — a light grey or cream wall works best — and make sure there are no objects behind you. Natural light is best, but you can also use other lighting, as long as it doesn’t create shadows on your face.

   Stand away from the background to avoid shadows. Your friend should be able to fit your head, shoulders, and upper body into the photo.

   Keep your face clear. Make sure your whole face is visible, keep hair away from your eyes, and only wear head coverings for religious or medical reasons.

   Look straight at the camera and keep a neutral expression. Avoid smiling. Common mistakes include hair in the face, shadows, glasses covering eyes, glare on lenses, or blurry photos.

   Don’t worry if it takes a few tries to get it right. When you have a good photo, upload it online and complete your application. Then relax and start planning your travels.

8. How do you take a compliant UK passport photo?

   Follow these tips:
    

   • Dress Appropriately: While there isn’t any strict dress code, it’s best to keep to a neutral business style (say, a plain shirt or a blouse). The colour doesn’t matter as long as your clothes make a good contrast against a light-coloured background—so stick to darker colours like black, blue, green, brown, purple, and so on.
      
   • Remove Headwear: It’s not allowed when used for fashion purposes. You can only keep your headwear on when you need it for medical or religious reasons (if so, it cannot cover your face or obscure your facial features).
      
   • If You Wear Glasses, Remove Them: You can keep them on when worn by prescription, but there can’t be any glare from the lenses and the frame cannot cover your eyes. Fashion glasses are forbidden altogether.
      
   • Keep Your Looks Neat: As for the hairstyle, you’re technically allowed to have anything you like—but make sure your hairdo doesn’t hide your face (if you have long hair, it’s best to braid it or make a bun). Similarly, there are no strict rules on makeup—but we recommend keeping it simple.
      
   • Find a Suitable Background (Or Have It Removed Here): Find a light-coloured wall to use as your backdrop—make sure there are no patterns on the wall or any other objects beside you. Alternatively, you can remove your background using our service.
      
   • Watch the Lighting: See that there aren’t any shadows on your face or neck. If you’re using artificial lights but keep getting shadows on you, stand facing a window with daylight coming in—it’ll make the lighting much softer and more even.
      
   • Don’t Retouch Your Photo: It can’t have any filters or effects.

    
   For more detailed instructions, see our short guide on how to take a passport photo.

9. What do I do if my digital photo is not accepted?

   If HMPO rejects your image, you’ll have the opportunity to submit a new one within a specified time frame to avoid extra fees. Before replacing rejected passport photos, it’s important to ensure your new photo meets all requirements – to avoid delays.
    
   You can use our online photo booth app to create a new, compliant picture within minutes – and then update your application and change the photo on your passport.

10. If I don't want to get my passport photo online, where else can I get it?

    While online services offer the quickest processing times, some people prefer to use local options instead:
     

    • Photo Centres and Booths: Across the UK, there are many professional photo centres and machines that provide passport photo services. These are reliable, but you’ll need to visit in person and may have to queue, which could take more time than expected. 
    • Supermarket Photo Services: Some large supermarkets in the UK offer passport photo services. These can be convenient if one is nearby, but busy stores and limited staff availability might lead to delays. 
    • Post Office: Many branches provide passport photo services and are a popular choice for UK residents. However, their turnaround times can sometimes be slower, so be prepared to wait if you choose this option.

     
    If you’re opting for printed photos, don’t forget they may require a signature – check the guidelines on who can sign passport photos to avoid any issues with your application.