What Goes on the Back of a Passport Photo
The back of a passport photo has its own rules, and the UK, Ireland and Canada each ask for something different. This guide compares who signs, what they write, and how many photos are marked — plus the rule most people get wrong: you do not sign your own UK photo. Based on the official GOV.UK, ireland.ie and canada.ca guidance.
Why the back of the photo matters
The back of a passport photo is a separate rule layer, and one of the easiest to get wrong: three English-speaking countries ask for different marks from different people, and getting it wrong can mean resending the whole application. This page compares the three.
At a glance
| Country | Who writes on the back | What goes on it |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | A countersignatory (only for certain applications) | On one of the two photos: the certification sentence, then their signature and the date |
| Ireland | Your witness (paper applications) | On two of the four photos: the form number, then their signature and stamp |
| Canada | Your guarantor | Signs one of your two photos |
United Kingdom
UK printed photos must be unmarked on both sides — unless a photo needs to be countersigned. A paper application needs a countersignature if you are applying for a first adult passport, a first child passport, a replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged passport, a renewal of a passport for a child aged 11 or under, or a renewal where your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised.
The countersignatory writes the following on the back of one photo:
I certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name of the adult or child who is getting the passport].
They must add their signature and the date under the statement. Crucially, you do not have to sign or date the photos yourself. So the one rule people most often get wrong — signing their own photo — is exactly what the UK tells you not to do.
Ireland
For a paper application you include four identical photos, no more than 6 months old. Your witness must then:
- write the form number on the back of two of the four photos (it is in Section 9 of the application form);
- sign and stamp the back of those two photos.
The Irish guidance is blunt about the consequence: if this is not done, they will need you to submit a new form and new photos. A missing back-of-photo mark does not just delay the application — it restarts the paperwork.
Canada
Canada requires two identical, unaltered photos, and asks you to get your guarantor to sign one of your photos. Canadian requirements are its own system, so do not carry over a UK or Irish habit of leaving both backs blank.
Who writes what, and does the applicant sign?
| Do I sign the photo myself? | Not in the UK — the guidance says you do not have to sign or date the photos. In Ireland and Canada the mark comes from your witness or guarantor. |
| How many photos are marked? | UK one of two; Ireland two of four; Canada one of two. |
| What if the back is marked when it should be blank? | UK photos must be unmarked on both sides unless a countersignature is needed; an unnecessary mark is a defect. |
If a photo is rejected for a marking problem, see our passport photo rejection reasons and rejected: next steps guides, and how to print them properly in the printing guide. Check country pages for the UK, Ireland and Canada, and verify any photo with the passport photo checker.
Related, deeper on the UK role: our guides on countersigning a passport photo and on Irish printed photo rules cover the eligibility and printed-photo detail behind these marks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I write on the back of my passport photo?
In the UK you do not have to sign or date the photos yourself — and photos must be unmarked on both sides unless a countersignature is required. In Ireland and Canada the back is marked by your witness or guarantor.
What is the exact UK countersignature wording?
Your countersignatory writes: “I certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name]”, then adds their signature and the date.
Why does Ireland sign two photos?
Your witness writes the form number on the back of two of the four photos and signs and stamps them; if this is not done, you must submit a new form and new photos.
Who signs a Canadian passport photo?
Get your guarantor to sign one of your photos.
Do I need to sign my own photo?
No. In the UK the guidance states you do not have to sign or date the photos yourself.
Will a stray mark get my photo rejected?
UK photos must be unmarked on both sides unless a photo needs to be countersigned, and an unnecessary mark is a defect that can cause a delay.
Sources: GOV.UK — “Countersigning passport applications and photos” and “Get a passport photo” (gov.uk), retrieved 2026-09-28; Ireland — Department of Foreign Affairs passport photo guidelines (ireland.ie), retrieved 2026-09-28; Canada — IRCC “Passport photo requirements” (canada.ca), official page currently unreachable, read from the Internet Archive snapshot of 24 September 2026. Rules change, so confirm the current position before you apply.