How to Change Your Passport Picture in London

As per British law, if a person have altered in appearance so much that it become hard to recognise him or her from the picture in his or her current passport then, he or she should get a new picture on their passport.

Identity and Passport Service (IPS) issue passports in United Kingdom. They have a standard passport application form for individuals. All necessary instructions come along with this form for the guidance of the applicant. Still, there are numerous people who find it hard to get a new picture on their passport in case of major change in appearance or don’t know the requirements or cost of renewing the passport.

To help such people here is a step by step guide to get a new picture on your passport in London.

Instructions

  • 1

    Ways to Get Passport Application Form

    By four ways you can get passport application form in order to get a new picture on your passport.


    (a) Fill online passport application form available on the website of the Identity & Passport Services. After completion submit it online. IPS will send you a hard copy of your online application on your given postal address. IPS use second class postal service so you have to give them at least one week margin for delivery of your online application. Return the application after signing it together with the supporting documents.


    Visit IPS Online Application Form Website

    (b) Second way to get passport application form is by visiting your nearest post office branch that offers passport check and send service. Find your nearest post office branch in London with the help of official website of post office.


    (c) Third option is to get application is through online request. Form will reach you in next five working days on the provided postal address.

    (d) Fourth and final way to get passport application form is by calling Passport Advice line on this number +44 300 222 0000. Request them to send you our passport application form by post. Allow them five working days to deliver you the application.

  • 2

    Fill Up Form

    Fill all pertinent sections of the form completely and accurately. If your form is incomplete it will not be entertained by IPS.

  • 3

    Attach Supporting Documents

    With your form you have to attach documents that will include your last passport and two recent identical photos.

  • 4

    Rules for Passport Photographs


    Since you are doing this exercise to update a new photo on your passport as your looks have changed therefore, keep the rules of passport photograph in your mind before taking a picture.


    1.       Photo should show you with close mouth and a neutral expression.


    2.       You should be on your own in the picture. In case of babies and children below 16 years of age, parents, people, toys, dummies and other stuff should not appear in the photo.


    3.       Your picture should be in colour. Black and white photos are not accepted.


    4.       Your two photos should be identical


    5.       Your picture should be taken within the last month


    6.       Pictures for passport should be 45 millimetres high x 35 millimetres wide as this is the standard size. If you have taken photo for passport in a photo booth or studio do not cut or trim a larger photograph to meet this criterion.


    7.       Your Photos should be clear and sharp so one can easily differentiate between your face and the background.


    8.       The colour of your background should be either plain cream or plain light grey.


    9.       Also make sure that photos don’t show you with red-eye.


    10.   Keep your face straight and look into the camera while taking picture.


    11.   After taking the pictures, make sure that you wouldn’t crease, mark or torn them.


    12.   Your photos should be printed on plain white photographic paper


    13.   There shouldn’t be any shadows in the picture.


    14.   Keep your eyes open while taking photos for passport and your eyes should be clearly visible in them. Don’t wear any sunglasses or tinted glasses and also keep your hair above from your eyes.


    15.   Avoid any kind of reflection on your glasses. Its better to remove your glasses while taking a photo for passport as the Identity and Passport Service also recommends it.


    16.   Your photos should match the standard of professionally printed as pictures printed at home are not accepted.


    17.   Don’t use anything to cover your head in order to show your full head, only if you wear a cap for medical reasons or religious beliefs.


    18.   Similarly you shouldn’t be covering your face and also make sure that nothing covers the outline of your eyes.


    19.   Your photos should be a close-up of your head and shoulders. The recommended head height between the bottom of your chin and the crown of your head is between 29 and 34 mm.


    20.   Other than signatures of the certified person your passport photos shouldn’t have any writing on their back or front. Avoid giving away pictures for passport which have trademarks or photographic printing on their back.

  • 5

    Get your photos certified


    Certify one of your identical photos by a professional, who will write on its back that ‘I certify that this is a true likeness of Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms or other title followed by your full name’. The professional then have to sign and date this statement. The professionals who will certify your photos will also counter sign your passport form. The professionals who can certify your photo could be teachers, accountants, police officers, journalists, pharmacists, solicitors and so on.

  • 6

    Cost of Renewing a Passport


    Cost to renew an adult ten-year 32-page passport will cost you:


    (a) £77.50 for the standard service


    (b) £112.50 in case of one week Fast Track Service


    (c) £129.50 in case of one day Premium service


    Those, who were born on or before 2 September 1929, their passport is free of charge. However, in case of Fast Track or Premium services applicant will have to pay the extra fee.

  • 7

    Return Form To IPS


    Attach all supporting documents with your form and return it to Identity and Passport Service (IPS) on below address:
    Address: Globe House, 89 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PN, United Kingdom. view map


    If you are looking to return your form through post office then, here is Post Office Finder to search your nearest post office in London.

  • 8

    Track Your Form


    To track your form, don't forget to note the bar code number before returning your application to the Identity and Passport Service. Its a ten digit code and printed on the top of the main page.


    OR


    You can also contact Passport Advice Line to get information about your application.


    Contact: +44 300 222 0000
    Visit Application Form Tracker

  • 9

    Receive your New Passport


    After specified time mostly take 8 to 10 working days, you will get your new passport through postal service on your address you had given in passport application form.

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