UK Passport Photo Code
A UK passport photo code lets you use a photo from a booth or shop inside your online application — you enter the code and the photo is added. The official guidance says code photos are more likely to be approved than a selfie. Here is how the process works and what to do if a code fails. Based on GOV.UK photos-for-passports.
What a photo code is
When you apply for a UK passport online, you can supply your digital photo in one of two ways. One is to take a photo yourself during the application. The other is to get a photo from a photo booth or shop and choose the option to receive a code with it. You then enter that code during your application, and the photo is added to it.
Before starting your application, get a digital passport photo from a photo booth or shop. Choose the option to get a code with your photos.
The official guidance is direct about which route is safer: Photos from a booth or shop are more likely to be approved than a photo taken using your own device.
How to use a photo code
- Get the photo first — go to a photo booth or shop before you start the application.
- Ask for the code — choose the option to get a code with your photos.
- Start your application — begin the online passport application.
- Enter the code — when asked for the photo code, type it in, and your digital photo is added to the application.
Why a code photo tends to pass
Every UK digital photo must meet the same rules regardless of how it is taken: clear and in focus, in colour, unaltered by computer software, at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, and between 50KB and 10MB. It must show no other objects or people, be taken against a plain light-coloured background, and have no red eye. Booths and shops are built to turn out an image that already satisfies these, which is why the official guidance rates them as more likely to be approved.
If a code does not work
Codes are time-limited and tied to the photo they came with — entry errors and expiry are the usual problems. If a code fails, the quickest fix is a fresh booth or shop photo with a new code, or, if you prefer, take a photo on your own device during the application. A selfie is acceptable only if it meets every standard, so check it first with our passport photo checker.
Related guides
Weigh up the trade-offs in booth vs your own device, check the exact digital size (600×750), and see the rules for babies and children. For the general workflow, read how to take a passport photo and passport photo at home, and compare apps and shops in app vs professional.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a UK photo code last?
Codes are time-limited and tied to the photo they were issued with. If yours has expired, get a fresh photo and code from the booth or shop.
Can one photo code be used for more than one application?
Use the code with the application it was made for. For a new application, obtain a new photo and code.
Are code photos more likely to be approved than a selfie?
Yes — the official guidance says photos from a booth or shop are more likely to be approved than one taken on your own device.
What if I enter the code wrongly?
Re-enter it carefully; if it still fails, a new photo and code is the simplest remedy.
Can children use a photo code?
The same two routes apply, but children have their own rules — see our guide to baby and child photos.
Do I still need to meet the photo rules if I use a code?
Yes. A code delivers the photo into your application, but the photo must still meet every digital standard.
Source: GOV.UK, “Get a passport photo” (gov.uk/photos-for-passports), HM Passport Office, retrieved 2026-09-28. Rules change, so confirm the current guidance before you apply.