Passport photo rules

System

DH manages a photo shop, and takes quite a lot of passport photos for people so he has to be fairly hot on the regulations. I've just checked with him, and he says there's no real need for the ears to be on show - the eyes are the most important part. Apparently the only reason photo-booths say the ears should be visible is because it makes it easier to check that the head is straight. But I wouldn't worry about it getting rejected - you should be fine.

Spendless

I've just checked my DD's passport. She was 7 when we renewed it last year. She has long hair and the pic does not show her ears. I also agree with the others who've said the PO service is a waste of money and meritaten's view on how good they are. A friend used the service for her teenager and didn't pick up that he was wearing glasses, so of course it was rejected.

I had all my passport photos taken at a photography chain (max spielman I think). The price wasn't much more than you pay in a booth and if you kept the receipt and it was rejected by passport office they'd retake free of charge -at least that was their offer a few months back.

Shelldean

further to my previous post, DD passport arrived back today (13 days turnaround) I can confirm only one ear is on show ( she tried to show both ears as the booth said so) like another poster she never wears hers behind her ears and looks very different!!! But i suppose if she ever questioned at passport control she could simply tuck it back to prove it's her LOL

meritaten

Thats good Shelldean - I would always advise people to read the requirements issued by the passport office and check that the photos meet those requirements! If in doubt - send them anyway! You WILL be contacted if the photos are not up to scratch and told why. This is another good reason for sending in the App in plenty of time. Also try to avoid the peak months of June and July and November.

Honestly, when checking Apps the staff are just doing thier jobs and are not TRYING to spoil peoples holidays - and most staff will give the benefit of the doubt if there is a gray area!

Shelldean

meritaten wrote: »

Thats good Shelldean - I would always advise people to read the requirements issued by the passport office and check that the photos meet those requirements! If in doubt - send them anyway! You WILL be contacted if the photos are not up to scratch and told why. This is another good reason for sending in the App in plenty of time. Also try to avoid the peak months of June and July and November.

Honestly, when checking Apps the staff are just doing thier jobs and are not TRYING to spoil peoples holidays - and most staff will give the benefit of the doubt if there is a gray area!

Oh yes when we last did them five yrs ago they bounced one of my boys back as the measurement from the top of his head to chn was too small.
We got confused as although I'd read the requirements by passport office, when we got to the booth there was a rules we'd not heard of. This is what threw us.

meritaten

I think what they meant, was that the picture was taken from too far away. The passport office prefer to see the face NOT the background! This is sometimes a problem with photo booths if your face is quite small or the camera isnt set properly. Professional photographers will almost fill the photo with the face - very, very little background is showing. and this is preferred. but, most photo booth photos ARE accepted as long as the face is shown clearly, you are NOT wearing glasses and your eyes are clearly visible.
a good tip is that if the pic shows more than from the neck down - it may be too small an image of your face. or if there is more than a small margin of background above your head - find another photo booth or try again only lean slightly toward the camera.

Shelldean

meritaten wrote: »

I think what they meant, was that the picture was taken from too far away. The passport office prefer to see the face NOT the background! This is sometimes a problem with photo booths if your face is quite small or the camera isnt set properly. Professional photographers will almost fill the photo with the face - very, very little background is showing. and this is preferred. but, most photo booth photos ARE accepted as long as the face is shown clearly, you are NOT wearing glasses and your eyes are clearly visible.
a good tip is that if the pic shows more than from the neck down - it may be too small an image of your face. or if there is more than a small margin of background above your head - find another photo booth or try again only lean slightly toward the camera.

Oh yes I knew what they meant just didn't know how to describe it on here LOL. It was because he was so small, he was only7 and quite a small child. He had to kinda lean in toward as you suggested. Gotta get the three boys passports renewed soon too, wonder if I can manage not to get any bounce back?//

meritaten

take your own photos with your digital camera - then crop them until you get a good image? I have accepted obviously home taken photos because they met the criteria. You do NOT have to use photo booths or professional photographers if YOU can meet the criteria with home photos!

Shelldean

thought it said in the blurb no home photos???? but wouldn't bet on it?
Also isn't there a maximum size they'll accept as well as a minimum??

Shelldean

yep says on direct gov that photos have to be professionally printed.

See here also mentions the maximum as well as the minmum size