Passport photo rules

PoorCharleyBear

....if you need it back quickly the PO checking facility says it will be back in 2 weeks, if you send it through them.

I sent mine off and two weeks and 1 day later (guess the extra day for Nov 30th strike) it arrived back.

Air_Cooled_75

You can't see my ears either! When we did LOs photo (he was about 9 months old) he was sporting a massive cheesy grin, I gave them a ring to make sure it was ok, it's a lovely pic and I hope it gave someone a grin when they saw it

ktb

not 100% sure about ears and children, but my Mum and I both have fringes and when Mum went to the Post Office, for them to submit & fasttrack her application, they said it was an invalid photo and made her take another picture with her fringe pushed right to the side (and of course they just happened to have a photo booth in store!) however when I sent mine off directly, with my fringe down as normal, 100% covering my forehead, down to my eyebrows, I got my passport back no probs.

I checked on directgov and fringes were ok from what i could tell, as long as your eyes were not covered in any way. I would have thought then, that ears would be ok!? I would use directgov as your guide.

Shelldean

we had the same issue, when DD had her photos taken. The booth stated ear must be on show. However the booklet that came with the application didn't mention ears. However I can't tell you if it worked as hers is still with the passport people. she has one ear on show and one partly hidden.

And I personally think the check and send is a waste of money M-i-L had hers checked and despite that it still bounced back ( they said her face was too small) PO refused to refund the fee they'd charged too,

meritaten

PoorCharleyBear wrote: »

the rules for under 5s are more lax, but when I took my 4.5 year old, she had to have her ears on show- we had to scrape her hair back in very unflattering way.

However the post office offers a checking service for about 7quid and this includes express posting to passport office. They will poinpoint issues before sending document away- it may save some hassle.

I used to work in the Passport Office checking apps before sending them for processing - and I can tell you that the Post Office checked ones were extremely annoying! the PO used to miss the most basic errors - such as the applicant not signing the form or including photos! or even including payment! They were a rubbish service and I doubt if its changed! But, to us in the office the worst crime they commited was using OUR space on the App! (where it said For Office Use only! It means the Passport Office not the Post Office! what made them think THEY could fill it in - passports are checked by Passport Office staff - Not post office!!!!!!!!!!!)I was tempted to reject apps on this alone (I didnt, but was sorely tempted)!

Save your money hun, and send in the Application in plenty of time for errors to be spotted, and YOU WOULD be contacted if there was a problem asap! Send it either signed for or Special Delivery, neither of which would cost anywhere near £7!

Since I was there rules have changed regarding childrens passports - but, I would send the photo in - you would be told if it didnt meet requirements.

mazza111

Had to get new photos for my DD's first child passport (15 yr old) because she had one single hair had fallen out of her ponytail and manage to fall over her eye. Personally I would send them, unless you're in a rush for the passport.

Madmel

Totally agree with the posters above. Just send them as they are and don't waste your money with the PO. At this time of year, you should get it back before Christmas. Mine in September took only a week from posting the application off to receiving the new passport. Obviously the local PO were most unhappy to think that I, a mere mortal could possibly send off an official document without them *checking* it first, but I managed just fine

meritaten

I forgot to say - The Post Office cannot 'guarantee' you would recieve the passport within Two Weeks! once its in the Passport offices system its totally out of the Post Offices hands. normal turnaround from recieving the app to sending it was just a couple of days - but, if there is a query on the app - sending a letter and recieving the reply and THEN processing the passport CAN take longer!

I cannot emphasise this enough - The Post Office are a completely different company to the the Passport Office! They offer a service of checking passport apps (for a fee) and you would probably get the same standard of checking from a halfway literate neighbour!

Poggy40

It is very confusing because, as someone said above, on the booth it does say that the hair has to be behind the ears. I did this and I never, ever wear my hair behind my ears in 'real life' and it makes me look completely different! I hate the photo too!

We once had an anxious wait because the PO did a check and send on my 15 year old daughters passport and they thought that it might be rejected because her fringe was 'nearly touching her eyebrows' and there really needs to be a gap!
I took a chance and sent it anyway and it was absolutely fine!

I would send it, OP....I bet it will be fine.

If it is not, then they will get just the photo back to you quickly...you don't have to fill the whole form in again.

Good Luck!

coolcait

Having had to deal with 'passport renewal frenzy' recently, I feel your pain.

There is nothing in the UK passport guidance which says that you need to have ears showing in the photo. I read through it all before getting the photos taken, and ears are not an issue for getting a UK passport.

However, some of the 'professional' photos were - to my mind - too dark and shadowy. So passport child was taken to a photo booth at the local supermarket. The blurb on there mentioned the need for ears to be visible...:eek:

Long story short, we got the passport without any problems.

I think the 'ears must be on display' part of it comes from the photo requirements for people who want a US visa. You need to have your ears on show for that...:o

It's probably easier for the people who write the blurb for photo booths to cover all eventualities. Sit face-on to the camera, neutral expression, bland background, no shadows, no hair over your eyes, both ears visible etc

(And ears are distinctive and individual)