UK Passport Photo Requirements
All UK passport photos must meet the standards set by HM Passport Office (HMPO). A common error is assuming a recent, clear photo is sufficient – the requirements are quite specific and rejections are common when photos are taken without professional guidance. The most important points 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 very 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 (since 2018 HMPO rule change) |
| Headwear | Not permitted except for confirmed religious or medical reasons |
| Print quality | Sharp, in colour, unaltered; no red-eye, shadows or reflections |
UK passport applications can now be made online for significantly less than the paper equivalent. Online applications require either a digital photo code (issued by Snappy Snaps, Post Office, and most modern staffed services) or a digital image uploaded directly to the HMPO portal. Snappy Snaps Angel can also deliver your photo by email or USB, which is particularly useful for online applications.
Snappy Snaps Angel – The Primary Staffed Service (Sunday Open)
Snappy Snaps Angel at 43 Islington High Street is the flagship passport photo provider in Islington, located a short walk from Angel tube station on the Northern line. The branch is operated by specialist photo professionals trained in the specific requirements of UK and international passport and visa photos. A trained colleague takes your photo, checks it against the requirements on screen, and provides printed copies together with a digital photo code for online applications. Photos can also be transferred to USB or emailed, which is particularly useful for home online applications. The branch offers visa photos for over 140 countries on a walk-in basis with no appointment necessary.
The Sunday opening (11am–5pm) makes Snappy Snaps Angel the most flexible staffed option in Islington – it is one of the very few passport photo services in the borough that opens on Sundays. Saturday opening runs until 5:30pm, compared to the Post Office on Upper Street which closes at 12:30pm on Saturdays.
- 43 Islington High Street, Islington, London, N1 9LH
- Tel: 0207 278 3345 | Email: angel@snappysnaps.co.uk
- Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9:00am–6:00pm; Sat 9:30am–5:30pm; Sun 11:00am–5:00pm
- Services: Staffed passport photos, visa photos (140+ countries), digital photo code, 4 prints included, USB and email delivery, film developing, photo printing, enlargements, canvas, photo gifts, photo restoration, scanning
- Price: Passport photos approx. £13–£15 (digital code and prints included); visa photos approx. £15–£18
- Location: On Islington High Street, next to Halifax, a very short walk from Angel tube station (Northern line). Buses 4, 19, 30, 38, 43, 56, 341 stop nearby
Post Office Islington – Upper Street (Passport Check and Send)
The main Islington Post Office is at 160-161 Upper Street and is operated by UOE as a combined Post Office and stationery/gifts store. It offers "ID Photos" as a confirmed service alongside the full range of Post Office passport services, including Passport Check and Send for paper applications. The branch is well placed on Upper Street, roughly midway between Angel and Highbury Corner, making it accessible to a large area of the borough. Passport Check and Send is particularly valuable for first-time applicants or parents applying for children's passports, as Post Office staff check the application form and photos before sending them directly to HMPO, reducing the risk of delays. Saturday opening closes at 12:30pm – earlier than Snappy Snaps Angel which is open until 5:30pm on Saturdays.
- 160-161 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1US
- Tel: 020 8365 4100
- Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9:00am–6:00pm; Sat 9:00am–12:30pm; closed Sunday
- Services: ID photos (passport photos), Passport Check and Send (paper applications), everyday banking (cash in/out, cheque deposits), vehicle tax, foreign currency, travel insurance, travel money card, DPD parcel drop-off, 24-hour ATM, stationery and gifts
- Price: Passport photos approx. £10–£12; Passport Check and Send from £16.00
- Location: 160-161 Upper Street, approximately 10 minutes' walk north from Angel tube station. Buses 4, 19, 30, 43, 271, 341 stop directly outside or nearby. Highbury & Islington station is also within reasonable walking distance from the north
Boots – Islington High Street (Kiosk Printing, Latest Hours)
Boots at 35-37 Islington High Street is a large pharmacy with extended opening hours – open until 8:30pm Monday to Friday and until 7pm on Saturdays – making it the latest-closing option in Islington for passport photo self-service printing. The branch has an Instant Photo Kiosk and a Kodak Instant Photo Kiosk for printing digital passport photo templates. Based on available service listings, the Islington Boots does not appear to have a staffed Passport Instant Photo Booth where a trained colleague takes your photo. It is therefore best used by people who have already prepared a compliant digital passport photo using a validated online tool and need to print it locally. Snappy Snaps Angel (no. 43, the same street) is the staffed alternative for those who need a photo taken.
- 35-37 Islington High Street, London, N1 9LH
- Tel: 020 7837 3430
- Opening hours: Mon–Fri 8:00am–8:30pm; Sat 9:00am–7:00pm; Sun 11:00am–5:00pm
- Services: Instant Photo Kiosk (self-service, print from phone/USB/app), Kodak Instant Photo Kiosk, Boots Opticians (in-store), Boots Hearingcare, pharmacy, travel vaccinations and advice
- Price: Kiosk printing approx. 30–55p per 6x4 sheet (bring your own validated digital template)
- Note: No staffed Passport Instant Photo Booth confirmed at this branch. For staffed passport photos on the same street, Snappy Snaps Angel (43 Islington High Street, tel: 0207 278 3345) is a few doors away
- Location: 35-37 Islington High Street, near the junction with Liverpool Road. Steps from Angel tube station (Northern line)
Kodak Express Angel – Chapel Market (Independent Specialist)
Kodak Express Angel at 27 Chapel Market is an independent photography specialist on the vibrant Chapel Market, a short walk east from Angel tube station. The branch offers staffed passport and ID photos at £6.99 for 8 copies – notably cheaper than the major chains – making it the best-value staffed option in Islington if it is still trading. The store also offers film services, VHS to DVD conversion, canvas and poster printing, enlargements, photo restoration and bookbinding. As with independent shops, it is worth calling ahead to confirm current hours before visiting.
- 27 Chapel Market, Islington, London, N1 9EN
- Services: Staffed passport and ID photos, film services, VHS to DVD conversion, canvas and poster printing, enlargements, photo restoration, photo gifts, book binding; 10% student discount
- Price: Passport and ID photos £6.99 for 8 copies (best-value staffed option in Islington)
- Location: Chapel Market, a short walk north-east from Angel tube station. Note: 27 Chapel Market also houses a Post Office concession (Mon 9:30am–5:30pm, Tue–Fri 9am–5:30pm, Sat 9am–5pm) offering foreign currency and parcel services but not passport photos or Check and Send
Snappy Snaps Highbury – Upper Street (Call Ahead to Confirm)
Snappy Snaps Highbury at 245 Upper Street is listed on the Snappy Snaps website as an active branch offering passport and visa photos, close to Highbury Corner and Highbury & Islington station. However, at least one third-party directory has reported this branch as permanently closed, and a real-time store status check suggests it may not be trading. The position is genuinely uncertain. If you are in the Highbury area and wish to try this branch, call the listed number before visiting. The Angel branch (43 Islington High Street, about 0.6 miles south) is the reliable fallback.
- 245 Upper Street, Islington, London, N1 1RU
- Tel: 020 7359 8111
- Listed opening hours (if open): Mon–Fri 9:00am–6:00pm; Sat 9:30am–6:00pm; Sun 11:00am–5:00pm
- Services (if open): Staffed passport photos, visa photos, digital photo code, prints, film developing, photo printing, photo gifts
- Location: Upper Street, near Highbury Corner, approximately 0.1 miles from Highbury & Islington station (Victoria line and London Overground). Adjacent to Little Waitrose Highbury Corner
Self-Service Photo Booth – Highbury & Islington Station
Highbury & Islington station has a confirmed self-service photo booth, accessible during station hours which run from around 5am to midnight on most nights (and around the clock on Night Tube and Night Overground service nights). The station is served by the Victoria line, London Overground (Mildmay and Lioness lines) and National Rail (Great Northern), making it one of the most frequently served hubs in the borough. This photo booth is the best option in Islington for early morning or late evening passport photos when no shops are open.
- Highbury & Islington Station, Upper Street / Holloway Road junction, London, N1 (Northern end of borough)
- Services: Self-service passport photo booth (4 prints; digital photo code on newer Photo-Me booths)
- Price: Approx. £8–£10 for 4 prints
- Accessibility: Station hours approx. 5am–midnight most days; near-24-hour on Night Tube (Victoria line) and Night Overground nights
- Lines: Victoria line, London Overground (Mildmay and Lioness lines), National Rail (Great Northern)
Passport Photo Price Comparison – Islington
| Provider | Type | Price | Digital Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boots kiosk, 35-37 Islington High Street | Self-service print (bring template) | Approx. 30–55p per 6x4 sheet | No – bring your own |
| Kodak Express Angel, Chapel Market | Staffed (independent) | £6.99 for 8 copies | Confirm on visit |
| Highbury & Islington Station photo booth | Self-service booth | Approx. £8–£10 | Yes (newer booths) |
| Post Office, 160-161 Upper Street | Staffed (counter) | Approx. £10–£12 | Yes |
| Snappy Snaps Angel, 43 Islington High Street | Staffed specialist | Approx. £13–£15 | Yes (+ email/USB) |
| Snappy Snaps Highbury, 245 Upper Street | Staffed specialist (call ahead) | Approx. £13–£15 | Yes (if open) |
Choosing the Right Service for Your Situation
For most people in Islington wanting a staffed passport photo, Snappy Snaps Angel (43 Islington High Street, tel: 0207 278 3345) is the most convenient and dependable choice. It is open seven days a week, close to Angel tube station, staffed by experienced photo professionals, and can deliver your photo digitally by email or USB for online applications. The Sunday opening is particularly valuable as no other confirmed staffed passport photo service in Islington opens on Sundays.
For Passport Check and Send (where Post Office staff verify your application form and photos and send them to HMPO on your behalf), the Post Office at 160-161 Upper Street (UOE Islington, tel: 020 8365 4100) is the place to go. This service is particularly valuable for first-time passport applications, children's passports, or urgent renewals where you want professional verification before submission. Bear in mind the Saturday closing time of 12:30pm when planning your visit.
If you already have a validated digital passport photo template and just need it printed, Boots Islington High Street (tel: 020 7837 3430) offers the latest-closing kiosk option in Islington – open until 8:30pm weekdays and 7pm on Saturdays. At around 30–55p per 6x4 sheet it is also the cheapest printing option in the borough.
For early morning or late evening needs when no shops are open, the self-service booth at Highbury & Islington station (Victoria line, London Overground) is the most accessible option.
Getting There
Angel tube station (Northern line) is the most convenient for both Snappy Snaps Angel (43 Islington High Street, about 3 minutes' walk), Boots (35-37 Islington High Street, adjacent), and Kodak Express (27 Chapel Market, about 5 minutes' walk east). The Upper Street Post Office (160-161 Upper Street) is approximately 10 minutes' walk north from Angel along Upper Street, with numerous bus stops directly outside (routes 4, 19, 30, 43, 271, 341). Highbury & Islington station (Victoria line and London Overground) is the most convenient for the Snappy Snaps Highbury branch at 245 Upper Street and for the station photo booth.
More Passport Photo Guides
Looking for passport photo services in other UK towns and cities? See our related guides:
- Passport Photo Birmingham
- Passport Photo Belfast
- Passport Photo Blackburn
- Passport Photo Bournemouth
- Passport Photo Brighton
- Passport Photo Croydon
- Passport Photo Derby
- Passport Photo Derry
- Passport Photo Doncaster
- Passport Photo Dundee
- Passport Photo Harlow
- Passport Photo Harrogate
- Passport Photo Hartlepool
- Passport Photo Hastings
- Passport Photo Hemel Hempstead
- Passport Photo High Wycombe
- Passport Photo Huddersfield
- Passport Photo Ipswich
- Passport Photo Kingston Upon Hull
- Passport Photo Leicester
- Passport Photo Luton
- Passport Photo Maidstone
- Passport Photo Middlesbrough
- Passport Photo Milton Keynes
- Passport Photo Newport
- Passport Photo Northampton
- Passport Photo Norwich
- Passport Photo London
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Frequently Asked Questions
The main staffed options are Snappy Snaps Angel (43 Islington High Street, N1 9LH, tel: 0207 278 3345, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9:30am–5:30pm, Sun 11am–5pm), the Post Office at 160-161 Upper Street N1 1US (tel: 020 8365 4100, Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, Sat 9am–12:30pm), and Kodak Express at 27 Chapel Market N1 9EN. For kiosk printing: Boots at 35-37 Islington High Street (Mon–Fri 8am–8:30pm). For self-service booths: Highbury & Islington station (during station hours).
Snappy Snaps Angel at 43 Islington High Street, N1 9LH (tel: 0207 278 3345) is in the heart of Islington, a very short walk from Angel tube station. It offers staffed passport and visa photos seven days a week, with digital codes, prints, and email or USB delivery.
Boots at 35-37 Islington High Street (tel: 020 7837 3430) has an Instant Photo Kiosk and Kodak kiosk for printing digital passport photo templates. It does not appear to have a staffed Passport Instant Photo Booth. For staffed photos on the same street, Snappy Snaps Angel (no. 43, tel: 0207 278 3345) is a few doors away. Boots Islington is open until 8:30pm Monday to Friday and until 7pm on Saturdays.
The self-service photo booth at Highbury & Islington station (Victoria line and London Overground) is the most accessible out-of-hours option, available during station hours which run to around midnight most nights, and around the clock on Night Tube and Night Overground service nights.
The main Islington Post Office at 160-161 Upper Street, N1 1US (tel: 020 8365 4100, operated by UOE) offers Passport Check and Send and can also take ID photos. Open Monday to Friday 9am–6pm and Saturday 9am–12:30pm, closed Sunday. The Chapel Market Post Office (27 Chapel Market, N1 9EN) does not offer Passport Check and Send.
Yes. Snappy Snaps Angel (43 Islington High Street, N1 9LH, tel: 0207 278 3345) is the best option for babies and young children, with trained specialists who assist with positioning. Self-service booths at Highbury & Islington station are not suitable for infants.
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