To make it easier for British citizens to renew their passports online, the Home Office will now accept photos that have been taken on mobile phones, The Telegraph reports. While the aim is to speed up the renewal process, it also means the days of paying to sit in a tiny booth could actually be over.
It's great news, but it's worth noting this change won't affect those applying for their first passport or those replacing one that has been lost or stolen, as countersigned copies of an image will still be needed. The Home Office has also highlighted that this doesn't mean it is now accepting selfies as passport photos.
"A 'selfie' photograph is not allowed in a passport application," a spokesperson said. "Customer guidance clearly says that 'selfies' are not permitted and that the photo needs to be taken from a distance of approximately 1.5m."
Phone photos aren't the only new development, either. Digital signatures on passports are being phased out to allow holders to sign the document after it has been issued to them.
"This is part of developing HM Passport Office's online application service, by removing the need for customers to send signed paper forms and printed photographs in support of their application," the spokesperson explained.
