UK firearms certificate photos must be 35×45mm with a light grey background. Glasses with clear lenses are permitted. Two identical prints are required. Both go to your local police force licensing department.
UK Firearms Certificate Photo Specifications (35×45mm)
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Size | 35×45mm (413×531 pixels at 300 dpi) |
| Background | Light grey |
| Head position | Centred, looking directly at camera |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | Permitted (clear lenses only, no tinted or reflective lenses) |
| Head coverings | Only for religious or medical reasons |
| Prints required | Two identical photographs |
| Photo age | Recent — within 6 months |
These specifications match the UK passport standard exactly. Home Office guidance for firearms certificate applications references the UK passport photo standard throughout. A compliant UK passport photo is a compliant FAC photo — just order two prints.
Get a compliant passport photo online
Why UK Firearms Certificate Photos Need a Grey Background
UK documents use a light grey background, not white. This catches applicants who assume the UK standard matches the European norm. France, Italy, Spain, and most of the EU use white. The UK uses grey.
The grey is not approximate. It's the same cool, neutral tone as the UK passport background. Photo booths at Boots, Snappy Snaps, Max Spielmann, and most supermarket chains are calibrated to this standard. If you're having photos taken at a professional studio, ask for UK passport photos — that instruction gets you the grey background without needing to explain further.
A white-background photo submitted with a firearms certificate application will be rejected.
Why UK Firearms Certificates Require Two Identical Prints
Most UK identity document applications require one photo. Firearms and shotgun certificate applications require two identical prints — a specific requirement that catches people who've only ever applied for a passport.
The two photos must come from the same session and the same source image. The police licensing department compares them. If you submit one photo from a session last month and one from a session three months ago, the slight colour and exposure differences will be flagged.
Print both at once. Keep them together. Submit as a pair.
One of the two photos must be countersigned by a referee.
The Referee Countersign Requirement for UK FAC Photos
One photograph must be countersigned on the back by a referee who:
- Has known you personally for at least two years
- Is not a close family member
- Is not a fellow firearms certificate holder
- Is ideally a professional of some standing (doctor, teacher, solicitor, police officer — though the formal requirement has relaxed on professional status in recent years)
The referee signs the back and writes: "I certify that this is a true likeness of [your full name]." They typically also countersign the application form. Some police forces provide the exact wording on their form; follow the force-specific instruction where provided.
Applying for a UK Firearms Certificate (FAC or SGC)
Applications go to your local police force's firearms licensing department. There is no central national application portal — each force runs its own process, though photo requirements are uniform across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Standard steps
- Download the application form from your police force's website
- Complete and sign the form
- Arrange your referee to countersign one photo and the form
- Attach both compliant photos
- Pay the fee (see below)
- Post or deliver to the firearms licensing department
Fees
| Certificate Type | New Grant | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Firearms Certificate (FAC) | £88 | £62 |
| Shotgun Certificate (SGC) | £79.50 | £49.50 |
Fees are paid to the police force directly. Payment methods vary by force — most accept cheque; some accept online payment. Check with your local force before submitting.
UK Firearms Certificate Processing Time (8–12 Weeks)
New grants typically take 8–12 weeks. The police conduct background checks, interview the applicant in many cases, and inspect proposed storage arrangements. Renewals are faster — 6–8 weeks — since the background is already established.
Certificates are valid for 5 years.
If your current certificate is approaching expiry, apply well in advance. Some forces have reported backlogs extending beyond the standard window. You are not authorised to possess firearms on an expired certificate, and the police are not obligated to issue the new certificate before the old one runs out.
Where to Get UK Firearms Certificate Photos
UK-standard photo booths. Supermarkets, pharmacies, and post offices have booths producing UK passport photos. Boots, Asda, Morrisons, and Tesco all have reliable machines. Cost is approximately £6–9 for a strip of four to six prints — enough for both required photos plus spares.
Professional studios. Ask for UK passport photos. Every studio in the UK knows this standard. Grey background, 35×45mm. Expect £10–15 for a set.
Critical point. You need two identical prints from the same session. Order or print two at once. Don't crop two different exposures from the same source image — submit prints from a single matched pair.
Common UK Firearms Certificate Photo Mistakes
White background. The most common failure. UK is grey. Know it before visiting the booth.
Tinted or reflective glasses. Clear prescription glasses are permitted, but tinted lenses, photochromic lenses, and sunglasses are not. If your glasses cause visible glare in the photo, remove them or ask the photographer to adjust the lighting.
Single print only. Two are required. Many people familiar with passport applications bring one and get the application sent back.
Referee signing in the wrong place. The countersignature goes on the back of one photo. Some applicants present both photos for signing — only one is countersigned. Follow your force's form instructions precisely.
For compliant UK firearms certificate photos — grey background, correct framing, print-ready in the correct size — passportsize-photo.online checks your image against the UK passport standard before you submit.
Expression and Appearance Rules for UK FAC Photos
- Neutral expression — mouth closed, no smile, no frown
- Eyes open — both eyes fully visible, looking directly at the camera
- Glasses permitted — clear prescription lenses allowed; no tinted, photochromic, or reflective lenses; no visible glare
- Hair away from face — forehead and both eyes clearly visible
- Head coverings — permitted for religious or medical reasons only; full face must remain visible
- Clean, even lighting — no shadows on face or background
- Recent photo — taken within the last 6 months
UK Document Photo Comparison: FAC vs Passport vs DL
| Document | Size | Background | Glasses | Smile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firearms Certificate (FAC) | 35×45mm | Light grey | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Shotgun Certificate (SGC) | 35×45mm | Light grey | Allowed | Not allowed |
| UK Passport | 35×45mm | Light grey | Allowed | Not allowed |
| UK Driving Licence | 35×45mm | Light grey | Allowed | Not allowed |
| BRP (Residence Permit) | 35×45mm | Light grey | Allowed | Not allowed |
All UK identity documents use the same 35×45mm / light grey background standard. Glasses with clear lenses are permitted across all UK documents. One photo session covers everything — passport, driving licence, firearms certificate, and BRP.
Quick Checklist for UK Firearms Certificate Photos
- Size: 35×45mm (two identical prints)
- Background: light grey
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed
- Glasses: clear lenses only (no tinted/reflective)
- Photo taken within 6 months
- One photo countersigned by referee on back
- Application form completed and signed
- Fee enclosed (cheque or online payment)
Also see: UK BRP photo requirements | United Kingdom passport photo size and specs | Full UK guide
