UK child passport application

While British minors have the same right to hold a passport for identification and a travel document as adults, the application process differs. In this article, we’ll break down the basics of how to apply for a UK passport for a child, what you need, and some tips on how you can make the process easier.

Table of contents

• Ways to apply for your child’s passport in the UK
• Have someone confirm your child’s identity
• UK child passport photo requirements
• Get photos for UK child passports online

Ways to apply for your child’s passport in the UK

You can apply for a child’s passport in two ways: online on gov.uk and by post.

Apply online

If you’re applying online, you will need to fill out the form, upload documents, and pay using a credit or debit card on the website. Just follow the instructions provided during the application.

Apply by post

First, you will need to get the printed application form. You can get one at a post office that offers the Passport Check and Send service or by contacting the Passport Adviceline to mail the form to you.

Fill in sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 9 of the form. As a parent (or a guardian or person with parental responsibility), you will need to sign the form and your child if they’re 12 or over. Section 10 will need to be signed by someone else, a countersignatory, who will also certify the child’s photos.

Then, send in your application and documents using the pre-printed envelope that comes with the form or takes it to the post office to use the Passport Check and Send service.

Have someone confirm your child’s identity

Whether you’re applying for a baby passport online or by post, you will need someone to confirm your child’s identity.

If you are applying online, this person must:

• Be aged 18 or over;
• Live in the UK;
• Have a current UK passport;
• Have known you for at least two years (the applicant, in this case, is the adult);
• Knows you as a friend, neighbour or colleague;

If you are applying by post, the requirements differ just slightly. The countersignatory must:

• Live in the UK and have a current British or Irish passport (if applying in the UK);
• If applying outside the UK, have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth documents. If your countersignatory holds a non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must submit a colour photocopy of its personal data page with the photograph);
• Have known you applying for at least two years as a friend, neighbour or colleague.

Documents required to apply for a child’s UK passport

If you’re applying online, you will be instructed on which documents you need. But you may take notes from the list of documents needed to apply by post:

• Two photos of your child that fulfils requirements;
• The child’s full birth or adoption certificate (with parent’s details on it);
• Proof of the child’s British nationality (a British registration certificate, parent’s passport details or parent’s birth certificates);
• Any valid passports from a different country belonging to the child, if applicable;
• Any court orders relating to the child (for example, parental responsibility or residency arrangements).

UK child passport photo requirements

Requirements for printed photos (for applications by post) and digital ones differ slightly but share similar points.

Printed photo requirements

• The photo size must be 35 mm in width and 45 mm in height;
• The height of your head in the picture, from the crown of your head to your chin, must be between 29 mm and 34 mm;
• Printed on white photo paper;
• Not have creases or marks, except for countersigned pictures (signature at the back).

Digital photo requirements

• The photo size must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
• The file size must least 50KB and no more than 10MB

General baby passport photo requirements

• The photo must be taken within the last month;
• The background must be plain and light-coloured;
• The child must contrast with the background;
• Glasses are allowed. The frame must not cover any part of the child’s eyes. There must be no glare on the lenses. Dark glasses are not permitted;
• Head covering for religious or medical reasons is allowed. The child’s full facial features must be visible;
• Your photo must be in focus. Balance the lighting and colour, not too dark or too light;
• There must not be any shadows on your face or behind the head;
• 'Red eye' in photographs is not acceptable;
• A kid must be on their own in the picture, without toys;
• Children under six do not have to be looking directly at the camera or have a plain expression;
• Infants under one do not have to have their eyes open;
• Otherwise: make sure the child’s facial expression is neutral and that they are looking straight into the camera.

Tips on taking children’s UK passport photos

• You can support the child’s head with your hand to make sure that their face is fully visible in the photograph, but your hand must not be visible in the photo;
• No need to make your baby sit up, children under one should lie on a plain light-coloured sheet, and you can take the photo from above.

Here is an example:

Get photos for UK child passports online

Taking the right photo of your child for a passport application can already be tricky enough, but then it will still have to fulfil all the technical requirements. To save time and resources, you can trust professionals to take care of your photo, all without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Just take a picture of your child in good lighting with the tips above and upload it to our tool below.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here, and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.

Take a photo like this one:

You will have two types of photos: a digital one for electronic applications and another one suitable for printing.

Here they are:

Whether you’re applying online or by post, Visafoto has you covered. You will get two files from Visafoto: a digital photo for electronic applications and a template ready for printing.