UK Passport Photo Requirements
Before heading anywhere, it is worth knowing exactly what your photo must look like. HMPO applies strict requirements and a non-compliant photo will delay your application. The key rules are summarised below.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35 x 45 mm |
| Digital size (online applications) | 600 x 750 px, between 50 KB and 10 MB |
| Background | Plain white or light grey, no patterns or shadows |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes fully open |
| Head position | Straight, facing the camera directly, not tilted |
| Head size in frame | Must fill 70 to 80 percent of the image height |
| Recency | Taken within the last month |
| Glasses | Not permitted under any circumstances |
| Headwear | Not permitted except for confirmed religious reasons |
| Print quality | Sharp, colour, unaltered, no red-eye or shadows |
Online passport applications save £9.50 compared to a paper application and require either a digital photo code (issued by most modern booths and online tools) or a digital image to upload directly to the HMPO portal. Most Derby residents now apply online, making the digital photo code an important consideration when choosing where to get your photo taken.
W W Winter – Britain's Oldest Photography Studio in Derby City Centre
For anyone who wants a guaranteed, professionally composed passport photo in central Derby, there is nowhere quite like W W Winter on Midland Road. This is not just a photography studio – it is the longest-running photography business in Britain, trading continuously from the same address since its founding in 1852. The purpose-built Victorian daylight studio at 45 Midland Road has stood since 1867 and is a short walk from Derby railway station, in the city's Railway Quarter.
In the studio's 170-plus years of operation, every generation of Derby residents has had their portrait taken here – and passport photos are very much part of the current service. W W Winter's trained photographers compose, check and produce compliant UK passport photos to the precise HMPO specification, from £10 upwards. They can provide digital copies and can supply photos for non-UK passports and visa applications as required. The studio is a genuine Derby institution and visiting it makes for a significantly better experience than a self-service booth.
- 45 Midland Road, Derby, DE1 2SP
- Tel: 01332 345224
- Opening hours: Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00am–3:00pm; Sat 9:00am–2:00pm (closed Mon and Wed)
- Located in Derby's Railway Quarter, a short walk from Derby railway station
- Services: Passport photos (UK and international), portrait photography, visa photos, framing, photo restoration
- Both walk-in and appointment available – call ahead to confirm for time-sensitive needs
Allenton Photos – Established Local Studio in South Derby
Allenton Photos is an independent photography studio at 857 Osmaston Road in the Allenton area of south Derby. It is a long-standing local option for passport, ID and portrait photos, serving residents of Allenton, Normanton, Pear Tree, Sinfin and other south Derby neighbourhoods. Opening hours are limited compared to supermarket booths, typically opening from around 9am and closing in the early-to-mid afternoon, so calling ahead before visiting is strongly recommended.
- 857 Osmaston Road, Allenton, Derby, DE24 9BR
- Tel: 01332 360777
- Located in Allenton, south Derby – serves Normanton, Pear Tree, Sinfin and Osmaston
- Services: Passport photos, ID photos, portrait photography
- Call ahead to confirm hours and availability before visiting
Asda Derby Supercentre, Spondon – Max Spielmann Passport Photo Booth
Asda's main Derby store, officially known as Asda Derby Supercentre, is located on Derby Road in Spondon, to the east of the city centre. This is a full-size supercentre with a confirmed in-store Max Spielmann concession and passport photo booth, making it one of the most well-equipped supermarket passport photo options in the Derby area. The Max Spielmann team can produce professional passport photos for the UK and over 140 other countries, and the store also has a self-service photo booth for those who prefer the quicker self-service route.
- Derby Road, Spondon, Derby, DE21 7LW
- Tel (Max Spielmann concession): 01332 678356
- Max Spielmann hours: Mon–Sat 9:00am–6:00pm (confirm Sundays locally)
- Located on Derby Road in Spondon, east of Derby city centre
- Free car parking on site
- Services: Max Spielmann passport photo booth, photo printing kiosk (~11p per 6x4 sheet), pizza counter, pharmacy, optician
The Asda photo printing kiosk at Spondon allows you to print a pre-prepared 6x4 inch digital template for around 11p per sheet – the cheapest print option in Derby. This makes it ideal for combining booth and kiosk services, or for bringing a home-prepared template to print during your weekly shop.
Asda Sinfin – Max Spielmann Passport Photo Booth in South Derby
Asda's second Derby store, in the Sinfin Shopping Centre on Arleston Lane, also has a confirmed Max Spielmann passport photo booth and printing kiosk. Sinfin Asda serves the southern parts of Derby including Sinfin, Normanton, Allenton, Pear Tree, and the Osmaston area. It is particularly convenient for residents who would otherwise need to travel across the city to Spondon. The Sinfin store also has a Timpson concession inside, offering a second passport photo option within the same shopping centre.
- Sinfin Shopping Centre, Arleston Lane, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 3DS
- Tel: 01332 777200
- Located in Sinfin Shopping Centre, south Derby
- Free car parking on site
- Services: Max Spielmann passport photo booth, photo printing kiosk (~11p per 6x4 sheet), Timpson, pharmacy
Tesco Superstore Mickleover – Max Photo Shop and Passport Photo Booth
Tesco's main Derby-area Superstore is in Mickleover on Kipling Drive, to the west of the city. This store is confirmed as having a staffed Max Photo Shop (a full Max Spielmann concession) alongside a self-service passport photo booth – making it the best supermarket option for residents of Mickleover, Littleover, Mackworth, Uttoxeter Road and west Derby. The staffed Max Photo Shop can handle passport and ID photos for over 140 countries.
- Kipling Drive, Mickleover, Derby, DE3 9NH
- Tel: 0345 677 9215
- Typical hours: Mon–Sat 6:00am–midnight, Sun 10:00am–4:00pm
- Free car parking on site
- Also in-store: Timpson, Tesco Pharmacy, F&F Clothing
Timpson – Passport Photos Across Derby
Timpson is a convenient option for passport photos across Derby, with four locations in the city. Each Timpson store has a trained colleague who takes and prints passport photos professionally, typically for around £10. As a staffed service, it is useful for those who want a human to take and check the photo without travelling to a dedicated studio. Timpson stores are typically open from around 9am to 6pm, with some opening on Sundays.
- Timpson, Wyvern Retail Park, Wyvern Way, Derby, DE21 6NZ
- Timpson, Allenton, 1 Peak Drive, Allenton, Derby, DE24 8EB
- Timpson, Tesco Mickleover, Kipling Drive, Mickleover, Derby, DE3 9NH
- Timpson, Asda Sinfin, Arleston Lane, Sinfin, Derby, DE24 3DS
Boots in Derby – Photo Printing Kiosks Across the City
Boots no longer operates dedicated in-store passport photo booths – these were phased out across the UK in 2024. However, Boots branches with CEWE Photostations can print a pre-prepared 6x4 inch digital template for around 55p in-store, or you can order online and collect the same day. Derby has a large number of Boots branches, giving good coverage across all parts of the city.
- Boots Derby Derbion – 1 Devonshire Walk, Derbion Shopping Centre, Derby, DE1 2AH (main city-centre branch)
- Boots Derby Kingsway Retail Park – Kingsway Retail Park, Derby, DE22 3FA
- Boots Derby Victoria Street – Victoria Street, Derby city centre
- Boots Derby Mickleover – 46 Station Road, Mickleover, Derby, DE3 9GH
- Boots Derby Wyvern Retail Park – Wyvern Retail Park, Derby, DE21
- Boots Derby Allenton – 832-834 Osmaston Road, Allenton, Derby, DE24 9AA
- Boots Derby Allestree Park Farm – 25A Park Farm Drive, Allestree, Derby, DE22 2QN
The flagship Derbion branch is the largest and most reliably equipped for photo printing. The Kingsway Retail Park branch is convenient for west Derby and serves Normanton, Mackworth and Kingsway residents. The Allenton branch serves south Derby and is close to Allenton Photos if you need a professionally taken photo instead.
Post Office Passport Services in Derby
The Post Office's Passport Check and Send service is available at Post Office branches across Derby. Staff verify that your photos meet HMPO requirements, check your completed application form for errors, and submit by secure special delivery. A service charge applies on top of the standard HMPO fee, but it prevents costly rejections and is especially useful for first-time applicants.
Derby city centre Post Office is within easy reach of W W Winter on Midland Road – a short walk linking the two makes for an efficient combination for paper applicants wanting a professional photo followed by assisted submission.
Take Your Passport Photo at Home – The Online Option
For many Derby residents, the fastest and most affordable route is taking their passport photo at home using an online tool. All you need is a smartphone. Modern online passport photo services guide you through positioning, lighting and expression, then automatically crop the image, replace the background, and verify compliance with HMPO requirements. The process takes around a minute and produces a verified digital photo ready for immediate use.
Once ready, you can receive a digital photo code for use with an online HMPO application – saving £9.50 compared to a paper application and eliminating printing altogether – or download a printable 6x4 inch template to take to any local kiosk. Both Asda stores in Derby print this for around 11p per sheet, Boots branches charge around 55p, and Tesco around 60p per print.
Comparing Your Options: Passport Photos in Derby
| Option | Typical Price | Wait Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| W W Winter – 45 Midland Road, DE1 2SP | From £10 | Instant (walk-in/appt) | Professional quality, historic studio, city centre |
| Allenton Photos – 857 Osmaston Road, DE24 9BR | From £10 | Instant (walk-in) | South Derby – Allenton, Normanton, Sinfin |
| Asda Spondon – Derby Road, DE21 7LW | From £10–£13 | Instant | East Derby, Spondon, Chaddesden |
| Asda Sinfin – Arleston Lane, DE24 3DS | From £10–£13 | Instant | South Derby – Sinfin, Normanton, Pear Tree |
| Tesco Mickleover – Kipling Drive, DE3 9NH | From £10–£13 | Instant | West Derby – Mickleover, Littleover, Mackworth |
| Timpson (4 Derby locations) | Around £10 | Instant (staffed) | Staffed service at retail park or superstore |
| Boots (print only – bring your template) | Around 55p per 6x4 sheet | Instant (self-service) | Printing a pre-prepared digital template |
| Post Office Check and Send | Service fee on top of HMPO fee | Same-day submission | First-time applicants, form checking |
| Online tool and Asda kiosk print | From around 11p total print cost | Immediate (digital) | Best value, home convenience, babies |
Tips for a Perfect Passport Photo in Derby
Remove your glasses. UK passport photos have not permitted glasses of any kind since 2015 – prescription, reading, tinted or otherwise. No exceptions apply. Remove them before taking your photo.
Wear a contrasting colour. The white or light grey background will cause problems if you wear a white or very pale top – your clothing blends into the background. A medium or dark-toned top creates clear contrast and makes it easier for HMPO to assess your face outline clearly.
Neutral expression throughout. No smiling, squinting or raised eyebrows. Look directly into the camera lens with a relaxed gaze, mouth gently closed, and both eyes fully open and clearly visible.
Lighting at home. Stand facing a large window with diffused natural daylight – not direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. Avoid shooting in a dimly lit room with a lamp behind you, which will cast shadows onto the background. For a home photo, midday natural light through a north or east-facing window usually works well.
Camera at eye level, head perfectly straight. Avoid selfie mode, which places the camera below natural eye height and creates distortion. Ask someone to take the photo with a timer, or prop your phone on a stable surface. Your head must be perfectly upright – not tilted or turned.
Your photo must be recent. HMPO requires photos taken within one month of the application date. An older photo, even a technically perfect one, will be rejected.
Applying for a UK Passport From Derby
There is no HM Passport Office counter service in Derby. The nearest offices accepting in-person urgent applications are in Peterborough and Nottingham (for some services) or Liverpool and Birmingham. For the vast majority of standard renewals and first-time applications, no visit to a passport office is needed – the HMPO online system handles everything electronically and is both faster and £9.50 cheaper than a paper application.
Derby railway station is well connected by East Midlands Railway and CrossCountry services, with direct services to Birmingham New Street (around 40 minutes), Sheffield (around 40 minutes), Nottingham (around 30 minutes), and London St Pancras (around 90 minutes). If an in-person passport appointment is necessary, Birmingham passport office is one of the more accessible from Derby by direct rail.
More Passport Photo Guides
- Passport Photo in Birmingham
- Passport Photo in Derry
- Passport Photo in Doncaster
- Passport Photo in Dundee
- Passport Photo in Harlow
- Passport Photo in London
- Passport Photo in Croydon
- Passport Photo in Brighton
- Passport Photo in Blackburn
- Passport Photo in Belfast
- Passport Photo in Nottingham
- Passport Photo in Leicester
Sources: gov.uk/photos-for-passports · wwwinter.co.uk · Asda store locator · Tesco store locator · Timpson store finder · Max Spielmann store locator
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Frequently Asked Questions
The best professional options are W W Winter at 45 Midland Road, DE1 2SP (tel: 01332 345224) and Allenton Photos at 857 Osmaston Road, DE24 9BR (tel: 01332 360777). Self-service Max Spielmann booths are at Asda Spondon (Derby Road, DE21 7LW), Asda Sinfin (Arleston Lane, DE24 3DS) and Tesco Mickleover (Kipling Drive, DE3 9NH). Timpson has staffed passport photo services at Wyvern Retail Park, Allenton, Mickleover and Sinfin. Boots branches across the city offer photo printing kiosks.
W W Winter and Allenton Photos both charge from around £10 for a professionally taken set. Max Spielmann booths at Asda and Tesco cost from £10–£13. Timpson charges around £10. Boots kiosks print a pre-prepared template for around 55p per sheet. The cheapest option is using an online tool at home and printing at an Asda kiosk for around 11p per sheet.
W W Winter at 45 Midland Road, Derby, DE1 2SP is Britain's longest continuously operating photography studio, trading from the same Victorian building since 1852. It is a five-minute walk from Derby railway station in the Railway Quarter. Despite its extraordinary heritage, it remains a working studio offering passport photos, portraits and framing today. Open Tue/Thu/Fri 9am–3pm and Sat 9am–2pm.
Yes. Both Asda Derby Supercentre at Derby Road, Spondon (DE21 7LW) and Asda Sinfin at the Sinfin Shopping Centre, Arleston Lane (DE24 3DS) have confirmed Max Spielmann passport photo booths. Both also have photo printing kiosks charging around 11p per 6x4 sheet.
Yes. Tesco Superstore in Mickleover at Kipling Drive, Derby, DE3 9NH has a confirmed Max Photo Shop (staffed Max Spielmann concession) and a self-service passport photo booth. Open Mon–Sat 6am–midnight, Sun 10am–4pm.
W W Winter at 45 Midland Road is experienced with babies and young children and is the best in-person option in Derby. Self-service booths cannot be used for babies, as no other person may appear in the frame. Alternatively, photograph your baby at home on a plain white sheet with natural window light and use an online tool to format and verify the image.
Take your photo at home using a smartphone and an online passport photo tool, then print the 6x4 inch template at either Asda Spondon or Asda Sinfin for around 11p per sheet. Total printing cost is under 20p. Applying online rather than by post also saves £9.50 on the HMPO fee and lets you use a digital photo code so no printing is needed at all.
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