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Original poster

I’ve just submitted a selfie for my passport photo…

41 replies

Darkroot · 06/06/2022 13:17

And now I’ve just read that selfies shouldn’t be used 🤔
Will my application be rejected? It was an online renewal and I took a very unattractive, run of the mill photo with a light background in natural light. But I used the iPhone selfie camera!
Has anyone done it this way and it turned out to be ok?

OP posts:
Botoxbotox · 06/06/2022 13:21

I did a selfie. The website tells you if it'll be accepted or not when you submit it.

TheRoadToRuin · 06/06/2022 13:25

The website rejects it before submission if it's not acceptable.

ShaneTwane · 06/06/2022 13:27

I did a selfie and it's accepted.

Original poster
Darkroot · 06/06/2022 13:30

Oh phew! Thanks all!

Yes, the website did have that arrow thing that said the photo had a ‘good’ chance of being accepted, was just worried it would be rejected after further checks.

Thanks for putting my mind at ease 😊

OP posts:
greenpotatoes456 · 06/06/2022 13:36

Doesn't matter even if it is rejected - they won't reject the whole application, they'll just ask for a new photo (happened with one of my DSs)

Chewbecca · 06/06/2022 13:53

How would they even know?!

Moltenpink · 06/06/2022 13:54

Yes, mine was accepted

SoggyPaper · 06/06/2022 13:56

I used a selfie. I look shit in it. Really shit.

AndSoFinally · 06/06/2022 13:59

The problem is if your selfie camera reverses the image. So if you have a mole on your right cheek in real life it looks to be on your left cheek in the picture. This would cause a problem at passport control because the automated cameras would be looking at a reverse image. The photo would still pass the criteria for a passport picture but the problem would come when you tried to use it.

If your phone doesn't do that, it'll be fine.

funkysheep · 06/06/2022 14:03

Ironically, for me it was the selfie that was accepted (in the end); I submitted a photo DH had taken which got 'good' on the automatic check, but was rejected later. The selfie was accepted, though I did have to get someone to verify it (despite requesting a passport renewal).

I've used the passport in an automatic scanner, and it worked fine.

Hope that's reassuring!

Original poster
Darkroot · 06/06/2022 14:12

AndSoFinally · 06/06/2022 13:59

The problem is if your selfie camera reverses the image. So if you have a mole on your right cheek in real life it looks to be on your left cheek in the picture. This would cause a problem at passport control because the automated cameras would be looking at a reverse image. The photo would still pass the criteria for a passport picture but the problem would come when you tried to use it.

If your phone doesn't do that, it'll be fine.

Ah, this is worrying, I hadn’t thought of it like that 🤦‍♀️

OP posts:
starlingdarling · 06/06/2022 14:14

I used a selfie when renewing my passport 5 years ago. Haven't had any issues with it.

Leftbutcameback · 06/06/2022 14:20

The selfie from my iphone was the only one which passed the test. The photos someone took of me all said they weren't good enough.

Fink · 06/06/2022 14:22

I read the thing saying you couldn't have a selfie, spent ages getting a colleague to take various photos of me, and when I tried to upload them in the hotel room later (was at a conference) they were all rejected, so I had to just submit a selfie. It's been fine so far (not a very flattering photo, but it's a photo card so it's small anyway). No one has commented that it's back to front - I don't even know whether it is or not!

MollyQueenOfSocks · 06/06/2022 14:24

When we did newborn DS's Passport the auto checker cropped the image right up to his face and said the photo was completely dark. Submitted it anyway and it somehow passed (and the photo on the passport is zomed out where it's meant to be),

So if the checker is saying it's ok i'd say you have a good chance 😁

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 06/06/2022 14:48

Even if they do reject it.. it seems they do accept a do over photo quite quickly.
I did a digital check and send passport application at the Post Office they took a passport photo on the ipad there and then.
It was accepted but later rejected (I was smiling) I resubmitted a grim-faced one straight away and they texted a few hours later, it had been accepted.

I think it delayed the return by 2-3 days, but under the current circs, I thought that was OK. They sent a letter offering a refund of the check and send fee too.

In total My application in May took 18 days (due to bank holidays and Friday pm submission and new photo) my DC, midweek morning took 12 days from start to finish and they arrived together. I thought maybe they waited to post the two together.

WhereYouLeftIt · 06/06/2022 14:50

If it is rejected OP, find a local camera shop. If it's anything like mine they will have a corner of the shop set up to take passport photos. Pull-down blind for the correct background behind me, a light array that wouldn't cast shadows, and best of all they submit the photo for you!

I had my photo taken that way, was given a code. Got home, did my online application, entered the code and there it was - all for £9.99. Worth every penny for the lack of stress.

vitahelp · 06/06/2022 15:20

My Uncle did a home photo (not selfie but taken by my auntie at home) and it was accepted on application but then a month later he had contact from the passport office rejecting the photo. He ended up going to a photo place and having a proper one done. Such a waste of a month, but he did still get the passport in time for travel and within the 10 week timescale.

DevDis · 12/06/2022 20:40

Maybe people should read the guidance and actually follow it. Maybe there wouldnt be such a huge backlog if it wasnt for people incapable of following basic instruction

Mangogogogo · 12/06/2022 23:29

I did it old style selfie and flipped my phone round! Just because it looked better tbh but it rejected my mams about 5 times so you would deffo know if it was rejected!

i did. used to take passport photos for a living, luckily I moved on or id have been out of business 🤣

Original poster
Darkroot · 21/06/2022 09:48

DevDis · 12/06/2022 20:40

Maybe people should read the guidance and actually follow it. Maybe there wouldnt be such a huge backlog if it wasnt for people incapable of following basic instruction

What basic instruction? There was nothing mentioned on the official website about using selfies, I found out afterwards on a random website after googling. Maybe the passport office should actually stipulate if they are ok to use on their actual website!

Anyway, I now have my passport 😬

OP posts:
katmunchkin · 21/06/2022 09:56

I used a selfie and my passport arrived today, 3 weeks after submitting 👏🏻👏🏻

drspouse · 21/06/2022 09:58

We always use a local photo shop for the DCs and for me (we all have another nationality and the regs are different but the photo shop machines have the settings for their regs). DH liked the way they came out so he does his there too (just British, poor sod) and they were very good with the DCs when smaller for British passports too.

Original poster
Darkroot · 21/06/2022 10:07

katmunchkin · 21/06/2022 09:56

I used a selfie and my passport arrived today, 3 weeks after submitting 👏🏻👏🏻

Mine took exactly 2 weeks! Very surprised!

OP posts:
Leftbutcameback · 01/07/2022 15:15

Thought I'd come back to say my selfie passport photo worked fine on the automated passport gate