Independent reference to official photo rules

Not affiliated with any government. Always confirm with the issuing authority before you apply.

WorldPhotoSpecsOfficial photo rules for every country

Identity cards

United Kingdom CitizenCard photo requirements

The 720 × 1280 px photo rules set by CitizenCard (PASS-accredited issuer) for the United Kingdom CitizenCard, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 4 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

Rate this page

Quick answer

What size is the United Kingdom CitizenCard photo?

Online, upload a JPG of at least 1280 x 720 or 720 x 1280 pixels, up to 25 MB. On a paper application, send 45 mm high by 35 mm wide prints that have not been trimmed from a larger photo. The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must be unaltered.

CitizenCard is a UK ID and proof-of-age card carrying the PASS hologram. It accepts only passport-quality photos taken within the last 6 months.

Online, the photo can be a professional digital photo, a scan of a photo booth print, or a smartphone selfie that follows passport photo requirements. Paper applications need prints on white photographic paper, and on a first-time paper application one photo must be countersigned by a referee.

United Kingdom CitizenCard photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by CitizenCard (PASS-accredited issuer):[1]

Print sizePaper application: 45 mm high x 35 mm wide, not trimmed from a larger photo
Digital sizeOnline: at least 1280 x 720 or 720 x 1280 pixels
BackgroundPlain light-coloured, in clear contrast to the person
ColourColour
Photo ageTaken within the last 6 months
File sizeUp to 25 MB
File formatJPG
Print qualityPrinted to a high quality on white photographic paper; not torn, creased or marked
720 px1280 px
720 × 1280 px photo drawn to scale. Background: plain light-coloured.

Key requirements

  • Online photo

    A professional digital photo, a scan of a photo booth print, or a smartphone selfie that follows passport photo requirements. JPG only, at least 1280 x 720 or 720 x 1280 pixels, up to 25 MB.

  • Paper photo

    Taken in a photo booth or by a professional photographer. 45 mm high x 35 mm wide, not trimmed or cut down from a larger photo, on white photographic paper, not torn, creased or marked.

  • No editing

    No filters, retouching or AI tools. The photo must be a genuine, unaltered photo of the applicant.

  • Countersigning

    On a first-time paper or printed application, the referee signs one of the photos. Online, a referee is needed only if identity cannot be verified with a valid passport, photo driving licence, European national ID card or UK eVisa.

  • Framing and expression

    A close-up of the full head and upper shoulders, facing forward and looking straight at the camera, with a neutral expression and mouth closed. Hair must not cover the eyes and nothing can cover the face. The photo must be in colour, clear and in focus.

Do's and don'ts

Do

  • A close-up of your full head and upper shoulders
  • A plain light-coloured background, in clear contrast to you
  • Face forward and look straight at the camera
  • A neutral expression with your mouth closed
  • Eyes open and visible, with no reflection or glare from glasses

Don't

  • Smile, frown or pout
  • Wear sunglasses, tinted glasses, or glasses on your head
  • Wear a hat, cap or fashion hair accessory (religious or medical head coverings are allowed)
  • Use filters, retouching or AI tools
  • Add drawings, fake tattoos or freckles, or very heavy make-up
  • Leave shadows, other people or objects in the photo

Sample photos

How a United Kingdom CitizenCard photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 720 × 1280 px and background colour.

Correct
Open-mouth smile
Head tilted
Too close: head too big
Too far: head too small
Busy background
Shadows on face or background
Glare on glasses

Illustrations, not real photos. The official rules above always take priority; some documents do not allow glasses at all.

Glasses

Eyes must be free from reflection or glare from glasses. Sunglasses, tinted glasses and glasses pushed up on the head are not allowed.

Headwear and religious dress

Hats, caps and fashion hair accessories are not allowed. Religious or medical head coverings are allowed.

Babies and children

For paper or printed applications only, children aged 5 and under do not need a neutral expression or to look straight at the camera, and babies under 1 do not need their eyes open. Every other rule still applies. This differs slightly from the UK passport rules, where the age limit is under 6.

Online applications take a JPG upload (at least 1280 x 720 or 720 x 1280 pixels, up to 25 MB). Paper applications need 45 x 35 mm prints on white photographic paper. The online minimum is higher than the 600 x 750 pixel minimum for a digital UK passport photo.

Where to submit the photo

Upload the JPG online, or post the prints with a paper application. Before issuing a first card CitizenCard verifies identity: online, digitally with a valid passport, photo driving licence (UK or European), European national identity card or UK eVisa; otherwise through a referee, who must be a professional person whose business details can be checked, contactable at work by phone and email, and not related to, in a relationship with or living with the applicant.

How to get your United Kingdom CitizenCard photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the United Kingdom CitizenCard: 720 × 1280 px print, 720 × 1280 px digital file, plain light-coloured background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: online photo; paper photo; no editing; countersigning.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Online applications take a JPG upload (at least 1280 x 720 or 720 x 1280 pixels, up to 25 MB). Paper applications need 45 x 35 mm prints on white photographic paper. The online minimum is higher than the 600 x 750 pixel minimum for a digital UK passport photo.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Upload the JPG online, or post the prints with a paper application.

United Kingdom CitizenCard photo FAQ

Online, a JPG of at least 1280 x 720 or 720 x 1280 pixels, up to 25 MB. On a paper application, prints 45 mm high and 35 mm wide that have not been trimmed from a larger photo.

Yes, for an online application, as long as the selfie follows passport photo requirements. You can also upload a professional digital photo or a scan of a photo booth print.

It must have been taken within the last 6 months, for both online and paper applications.

Only first-time paper or printed applications need a countersigned photo: the referee signs one of the photos. Online, a referee is needed only if identity cannot be verified with a valid passport, photo driving licence, European national ID card or UK eVisa.

CitizenCard says eyes must be free from reflection or glare from glasses, and sunglasses or tinted glasses are not allowed. Glasses pushed up on the head are not allowed either.

A standard application costs 18 GBP and takes 21 days. It is free online for a first 13-15 or 16-17 card. An urgent application costs 35 GBP (17 GBP online for a first 13-15 or 16-17 card).

No. The photo must be unaltered by software, with no filters, and must be a genuine photo of the applicant, not created or changed with AI or other image-generation tools.

Related photo specifications

Other United Kingdom documents

Identity cards nearby

Was this page helpful?

No ratings yet. Be the first to rate this page.

Official sources

  1. CitizenCard. Photo guidance citizencard.com. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. CitizenCard. Requirements for a first UK ID card citizencard.com. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. CitizenCard. What is a CitizenCard? citizencard.com. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. National Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS). Card suppliers pass-scheme.org.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with CitizenCard (PASS-accredited issuer) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"United Kingdom CitizenCard photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/united-kingdom/citizencard-photo

Categories: