How much does Timpson charge for passport photos in the UK?

Timpson charges £12.99 for a standard UK passport photo taken in-store. This price applies to both adults and children and includes printed copies plus a digital code for online applications. If you need a photo for an international visa, the cost rises to £14.99, while other ID photos (railcards, student cards) start from £10.99.

What you get for £12.99

The standard service is assisted. A trained member of staff takes your photograph using professional equipment and checks it against HM Passport Office guidelines. You receive printed copies on the spot and a digital code that links directly to the GOV.UK online passport application. This code saves you uploading your own photo and reduces the risk of rejection.

Timpson also provides a guarantee: if the passport office rejects your photo, they will retake it at no extra cost. This matters most for parents photographing babies or young children, where meeting the strict requirements can be difficult. The service is walk-in, so you do not need to book ahead.

Pricing for other documents

A UK driving licence photo costs the same as a passport photo: £12.99. Photos for international visas are £14.99 because different countries have varying size and format requirements. Timpson can produce photos that meet the specifications for over 140 countries. If you need a photo for a railcard, student ID, or similar document, prices start from £10.99.

Official photo requirements you must meet

HM Passport Office sets precise standards. Your photo must show your full head and upper shoulders against a plain cream or light-grey background with no shadows. It must be in colour, in focus, and printed on plain white photographic paper. No computer alterations are allowed.

You must have a plain expression with your mouth closed. Your eyes must be open and visible, with no hair covering them. Head coverings are not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Printed photos must measure 45mm high by 35mm wide. Digital photos must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall.

Children under six do not need to have a neutral expression or look directly at the camera, which makes professional help particularly useful for parents.

How Timpson compares with other providers

Max Spielmann charges £12.99 for its in-store service, matching Timpson's price. They also provide a digital code and a compliance check. Max Spielmann operates self-service photo booths as well, which cost around £10 but are not suitable for babies or anyone who needs assistance.

The Post Office offers passport photos as part of its Digital 'Check & Send' service. This costs £16 on top of the standard passport application fee. The fee covers the photo, a check of your application, and secure delivery to HM Passport Office. This is a different model: you are paying for an end-to-end service rather than just the photo.

Snappy Snaps provides professional passport photos, but prices vary by branch. They advise customers to contact their local store for specific costs. Their service also includes a digital ID code for online applications.

Self-service photo booths in supermarkets and train stations typically cost between £6 and £10. They are cheaper but do not offer staff assistance or a rejection guarantee. If your photo is rejected, you pay again.

Where to find a Timpson branch

Timpson operates over 2,000 branches across the UK, many inside supermarkets or on the high street. Not all branches offer the passport photo service. Use the official Timpson store locator on their website to find the nearest participating store. The locator allows you to filter by service type. No appointment is necessary.

Is the £12.99 service worth it?

The main advantage of paying for an in-store service is the rejection guarantee. If you use a photo booth or take your own photo at home, you bear the risk. A rejected photo delays your passport application and costs you more money to replace. For a first-time applicant, a child, or anyone unsure about the technical requirements, the £12.99 fee buys peace of mind.

The digital code is also useful. It integrates directly with the GOV.UK online application, so you do not need to upload a file or worry about image resolution. The process is faster and less prone to user error.

If you are confident about meeting the requirements and have access to a plain background and good lighting, a photo booth or home setup can save you a few pounds. But for most people, the professional service is a sensible investment given the importance of the document and the cost of delays.