Passport photo standards

You must include two photographs that meet the requirements of the passport photo standards.

A passport photo machine is now available for customer use at the British Consulates-General in Madrid and Barcelona and the Consulates in Alicante and Palma de Mallorca.

If you choose to go to a professional photographer we advise you to take a copy of the passport photo guidance for professional photographers. Lists of photographers who are frequently used by our customers can also be downloaded using the links on the right.

Countersignatories

When you have completed the form, someone who has known you personally for at least two years should complete and sign Section 10. That person should be a British Citizen, other British national or Commonwealth citizen who is a member of Parliament, Justice of the Peace, Minister of Religion, Bank Officer, Established Civil Servant, or professionally qualified person, e.g. Lawyer, Engineer, Doctor, School Teacher, Police Officer or a person of similar standing. Procedures include a check on the authenticity of the countersignatories.

If you do not know a British national or other Commonwealth citizen locally with these qualifications, a citizen of the country in which you are residing may complete and sign the form, provided he/she has a similar standing in that country and has known you for two years and the Consul considers his/her signature to be acceptable. A member of your family should not countersign. In certain cases you may be asked to produce further documentary evidence of identity.

Your application must include two photographs (see above). One of the two photographs should be signed by the same person who countersigns the application form. He/she must write on the back of the photograph the words:

“I certify that this is a true likeness of…………….”

And add his/her signature and the date.  

Please stick the unsigned photograph onto the box marked "official use only" on the back page of the application form, as this will be scanned onto your new passport.