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United Kingdom british citizenship (naturalisation) photo requirements

The 45 × 35 mm photo rules set by UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office); first passport photos set by HM Passport Office for the United Kingdom british citizenship (naturalisation), with the official wording and sources.

Based on 6 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What size is the United Kingdom british citizenship (naturalisation) photo?

No printed photo is sent with an online naturalisation application. The photo and fingerprints are taken at a UKVCAS appointment after applying, at no fee. Once a British citizen, the first British passport needs a passport photo: online, a digital photo taken in the last month, at least 600 x 750 pixels and 50 KB to 10 MB.

This covers British citizenship by naturalisation for people with indefinite leave to remain or settled status, registering a child, and the photo steps that follow once the certificate is issued.

After applying online, the applicant books an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point to give biometric information: fingerprints and a photo. The photo is taken there. Documents can be uploaded to the online service or scanned at the appointment. Applications can also be made by post on form AN.

United Kingdom british citizenship (naturalisation) photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office); first passport photos set by HM Passport Office:[1]

Print sizeCitizenship application: no photo supplied. First passport, paper form: 2 identical prints, 45 x 35 mm
Digital sizeFirst passport, online: at least 600 x 750 pixels
BackgroundFirst passport: plain and light-coloured for digital; plain cream or light grey for prints
Photo ageFirst passport, online: taken in the last month
File sizeFirst passport, online: 50 KB to 10 MB
Pixels when printed531 × 413 px at 300 dpi · 1063 × 827 px at 600 dpi (calculated)
45 mm35 mm
45 × 35 mm photo drawn to scale. Background: first passport: plain and light-coloured….

Key requirements

  • Biometrics instead of photos

    For an online naturalisation application, fingerprints and a photo are taken at a UKVCAS service point after applying. There is no fee for this and nothing to bring or upload.

  • Postal and overseas applications

    Applications by post use form AN; check its guidance for anything else to send. Applicants in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or a British overseas territory apply by post or in person and are told where to give biometric information after applying.

  • First British passport, online

    A digital photo taken in the last month, at least 600 x 750 pixels and 50 KB to 10 MB, plus someone to confirm identity online.

  • First British passport, paper

    2 identical printed photos, 45 x 35 mm, with a countersignatory who signs one photo and the form.

  • Pose

    Plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open, no shadows and no tinted glasses.

Sample photos

How a United Kingdom british citizenship (naturalisation) photo should look, and the mistakes that most often get photos rejected. Each example is drawn to this document's 45 × 35 mm 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

For the passport photo: no tinted glasses.

Babies and children

Registering a child as a British citizen (form MN1) costs 1,000 GBP per child, plus 130 GBP for a ceremony if the child turns 18 during the application; a fee waiver may be available for under-18s. A child born in the UK after the parent was granted indefinite leave to remain may already be a British citizen and can apply directly for a passport (child passport if under 16, first adult passport if 16 or over).

Citizenship application: no printed photo. First passport: online uses a digital photo (taken in the last month, 600 x 750 pixels minimum, 50 KB-10 MB); paper uses 2 identical 45 x 35 mm prints.

Where to submit the photo

Naturalisation is applied for online (or on form AN by post); biometrics are given at a UKVCAS appointment. The first British passport is applied for online (102 GBP) or on a paper form (115.50 GBP). For an online passport application the person confirming identity has known the applicant for at least 2 years and cannot be a relative, a partner or someone living with them.

How to get your United Kingdom british citizenship (naturalisation) photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the United Kingdom british citizenship (naturalisation): 45 × 35 mm print, 600 × 750 px digital file, first passport: plain and light-coloured… background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: biometrics instead of photos; postal and overseas applications; first British passport, online; first British passport, paper.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Citizenship application: no printed photo. First passport: online uses a digital photo (taken in the last month, 600 x 750 pixels minimum, 50 KB-10 MB); paper uses 2 identical 45 x 35 mm prints.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Naturalisation is applied for online (or on form AN by post); biometrics are given at a UKVCAS appointment. The first British passport is applied for online (102 GBP) or on a paper form (115.50 GBP).

United Kingdom british citizenship (naturalisation) photo FAQ

Not for an online naturalisation application. Fingerprints and a photo are taken at a UKVCAS appointment after applying. If you apply by post on form AN, follow the form's guidance on what to send.

No. GOV.UK says there is no fee for having fingerprints and a photo taken. The naturalisation fee is 1,839 GBP, made up of 1,709 GBP for the application and 130 GBP for the citizenship ceremony.

1,000 GBP for each child, using form MN1. A further 130 GBP is payable for a ceremony if the child turns 18 during the application. If the child is under 18 and the fee cannot be afforded, a fee waiver may be available.

No. You cannot enter the UK with your certificate of British citizenship or your BRP. Use a British passport, or apply for a certificate of entitlement if you do not want one.

Online, a digital photo taken in the last month, at least 600 x 750 pixels and 50 KB-10 MB. On a paper form, 2 identical 45 x 35 mm prints.

For an online application, someone aged 18 or over who lives in the UK, has a current UK or Irish passport, has known you for at least 2 years as a friend, neighbour or colleague, and works in or is retired from a recognised profession. They cannot be related to you, be your partner or live with you, and cannot work for HM Passport Office or for UKVI on British citizenship or right of abode applications.

Related photo specifications

Other United Kingdom documents

Citizenship and naturalisation nearby

Also 45 × 35 mm

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Official sources

  1. GOV.UK. Apply for citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. GOV.UK (HM Passport Office). Getting your first adult passport gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. GOV.UK (HM Passport Office). Get a passport photo gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. GOV.UK (HM Passport Office). Confirm someone's identity for their passport application gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. GOV.UK (HM Passport Office). Countersigning passport applications and photos gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.
  6. GOV.UK (HM Passport Office). Passport fees gov.uk. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office); first passport photos set by HM Passport Office before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"United Kingdom british citizenship (naturalisation) photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/united-kingdom/citizenship-photo

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