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Original poster

Sons passport photo denied as he's too pale!!

53 replies

ForeverMessy456 · 07/01/2023 19:24

I got my sons photograph done for his passport at the post office and they said it was approve on their system.

I got the code and used it for the passport application and it came back saying his skin colour is too similar to the white background!!

I then tried a creamier background and it said the same 'Your image and background are too difficult to tell apart'

He's wearing a navy jumper so it's not the clothing. He's fair with blonde hair.

What am I meant to do? Fake tan him 😂

OP posts:
Piggy52a · 07/01/2023 19:25

We had that. Sent the photo in anyway and it was fine.

TwoMonthsOff · 07/01/2023 19:26

You may be joking but maybe that’s the answer put some bronzer on his face just for the photo unless you can use photo shop on it before submission !

dementedpixie · 07/01/2023 19:27

Maybe try a pale grey background

katepilar · 07/01/2023 19:27

Can the backround in the passport photos be light blue in the UK?

howliscream · 07/01/2023 19:27

That’s ridiculous! I once had to go on a last minute business trip so used the one day service where you wait. I handed all my docs and photo over and after a while they said we need to refer this to a manager as your forehead is too shiny in the photo 😮😂Luckily they agreed it in the end but these rules are so strict.

Headabovetheparakeet · 07/01/2023 19:28

Did you get it done in a photo place? They should be able to advise you.

Dystopiawarming · 07/01/2023 19:28

I had this! I had to basically do stage makeup, heavy contour, with lots of blusher, eye liner and mascara.

I still came out looking like the milky bar kid

Original poster
ForeverMessy456 · 07/01/2023 19:29

Oh really! That's good to know.

I'm taking him back tomorrow to get another photo done and try to upload it while I'm there to make sure it will be accepted while I'm there.

If it doesn't work I'll just try and submit it.

OP posts:
Original poster
ForeverMessy456 · 07/01/2023 19:31

It was done in the post office and they said it had been run through the system and approved before it was printed and the code given.

The background was stark white so I called and they adjusted it to a cream background but it was still rejected!

A bit of bronzer doesn't sound bad 😂

OP posts:
QueenOfWeeds · 07/01/2023 19:35

I had this having used a photo booth at the local station. It was after work, and I was pregnant and had a cold, so I was looking pretty pale but I submitted the application anyway. There was a box to add your reason why you think the photo should be accepted - I put that I used an approved Photo Booth, and had not changed any of the lighting/background balance. Submitted during the post strikes so it took a while to arrive with the passport team, but a quick turnaround and no photo issues at all.

DontMakeMeShushYou · 07/01/2023 19:36

If it was done somewhere that checked it and said it was OK, then you can probably get new ones done for free.

Get him to wear a paler jumper. Wearing a dark colour which contrasts with both the background and his skin tone may have reduced the contrast between his skin tone and the backgroun iyswim.

bigbluebus · 07/01/2023 19:37

I did my own passport photo and downloaded it to the online application. They rejected it on the basis they couldn't see the outline of my head - blonde hair against their required light background. There was an option to override their rejection and put in the reason why. I just typed blonde hair against light background. It all went through fine and I got my passport within a week (pre Covid) so I'm guessing this is a common problem.

Original poster
ForeverMessy456 · 07/01/2023 19:40

It does give the option to submit anyway even with the error.

I'm going tomorrow to have it redone and if I still have the same issue I'll just sunbird and see what happens.

Thanks all

OP posts:
SellFridges · 07/01/2023 19:46

We had this twice, second time with one taken at Max Spielman. I put a note on saying “he’s pale, what would you like me to do about it” and we received the passport the following week.

Cuwins · 07/01/2023 19:48

We had this with baby DD photo done at Timpsons. Came up on their system there but they said to send it in anyway as apparently it's common with babies and all it will mean is it will have to be given to a person not a computer at the passport office. They would see it was a baby and accept it.
So I ticked the box to send it anyway, came back just fine

alongtimeagoandfaraway · 07/01/2023 21:57

I had similar to a pp -initial rejection because of white hair against light background. I asked what they would like me to do about it ( I’m very pale too) and it was accepted.

Blueberrycreampie · 08/01/2023 00:27

My DH's photo wasn't suitable due to the reflection off his glasses - he wasn't wearing any! Sent it in online anyway a few days ago and his new passport is now on its way.

FlosCampi · 08/01/2023 00:37

My son's was rejected as his head was too large! He just has a really large head, he's 6'3" and in proportion. We had had it professionally done so I was indignant and went back to the photographer, he was indignant too and took another set for free.

Rushingfool · 08/01/2023 19:00

QueenOfWeeds · 07/01/2023 19:35

I had this having used a photo booth at the local station. It was after work, and I was pregnant and had a cold, so I was looking pretty pale but I submitted the application anyway. There was a box to add your reason why you think the photo should be accepted - I put that I used an approved Photo Booth, and had not changed any of the lighting/background balance. Submitted during the post strikes so it took a while to arrive with the passport team, but a quick turnaround and no photo issues at all.

I did exactly this too.

gingerninja99 · 08/01/2023 19:08

Piggy52a · 07/01/2023 19:25

We had that. Sent the photo in anyway and it was fine.

Yep we had the same with my sons, came back no problem

Runningincircles · 08/01/2023 19:09

I used an app called PhotoAid. My kids are very pale one with ginger hair and one with white blond hair.
You take your own photo and then it is edited and approved within about 15 minutes.
They guarantee the photo will be approved or you get a refund.
I used the app to do 3 passport photos for myself and my kids and they were all approved.

Rosesandteacups · 08/01/2023 19:32

Was this on the online application? I had the same with my fair blonde DD and just pressed proceed anyway and put a note that the photo was taken in an approved location and approved by the system. Passport came through no problem. The guy who took the photo had mentioned to me it can be an issue with children’s photos

barbrahunter · 08/01/2023 19:37

I took my own photo and they said that my eyes were closed in it... they weren't! Not my fault I have small eyes! Anyway, I kept taking different pictures and uploading them onto the passport site and in the end, it passed one of the photos.

hoppityscotch · 08/01/2023 19:48

I would suggest he wears a light top. And seriously consider a bit of bronzer.

RausageSoul · 08/01/2023 19:49

Another vote for PhotoAid! It was a life saver when both kids had Covid and I couldn't take them to Timpsons! They are human checked and guaranteed (for a fee) and you can also be sent hard copies too