UK passport - photo rejection

maurice28

We are just in the process of renewing the passport of our 6 year old. We went to a Max Spielmann photo booth and after a few attempts, we got a photo that the booth said would pass the requirements. 

We've come to use the online passport application system and it has flagged that the photo probably won't pass, due to him not looking at the camera properly. I'm not sure looking at it, I don't think it's a clear one one way or the other. 

So I wondered, what's the best thing to do? Continue with the application with the expectation we might get asked to resubmit, but at least we have the application in the system? Or just take a new one and upload that first time?

I think we can also get a refund for the photo if it does get rejected from MS too? Thanks all!

saajan_12

I would submit so they can get reviewing on the application. Then if they reject, you can always retake and reupload that. 

I had a photo taken at home, took ~2 weeks for them to review the application and get to the stage of rejecting the photo. I ran out to a passport photo service and uploaded via their photo code the same afternoon. The photo and passport application was approved 1 hour later, and then sent out in the post ~3 days later. 

DullGreyGuy

maurice28 said:

We are just in the process of renewing the passport of our 6 year old. We went to a Max Spielmann photo booth and after a few attempts, we got a photo that the booth said would pass the requirements. 

We've come to use the online passport application system and it has flagged that the photo probably won't pass, due to him not looking at the camera properly. I'm not sure looking at it, I don't think it's a clear one one way or the other. 

So I wondered, what's the best thing to do? Continue with the application with the expectation we might get asked to resubmit, but at least we have the application in the system? Or just take a new one and upload that first time?

I think we can also get a refund for the photo if it does get rejected from MS too? Thanks all!

The system only gives you an indication... the system is far from flawless. When doing the Mrs' it said every single photo, inc the old one from her current UK passport, probably would be rejected. So went back to the one originally intended to be used and proceeded despite the warning and had no issues at all with the photos. 

Ganga

We had the same problem ,tried on line but it said photos were too bright ,posted them all of to passport office and new passports returned in about 2 weeks.

smudge56

Submit the photos. If they are not suitable you’ll get an email asking you to upload a new one.  You can then go back to the photographer and get another taken free.  More than likely it will be accepted.

maurice28

Thank you all! We submitted them in the end and are waiting to hear back. Much appreciated.

twopenny

I go to a local photographer, costs £1 more, very little time than a booth and I know they're spot on.
Maybe this isn't so in larger towns but it saves a lot of worry.

giraffe69

Agree about the local photographer. I used one recently when renewing. It cost little more and the photo was uploaded for me automatically. No problems and a quick delivery of the complete passport.

jimi_man

I just used my (i)Phone with a suitable app. Worked fine for my wife and I and both our kids did the same. Free (assuming you have a phone that is).