United Kingdom Discharge book and British seaman's card (MSF 4509) photo
Make your United Kingdom Discharge book and British seaman's card (MSF 4509) photo that meets the official rules (35×45 mm, cream background). Live camera guidance and checks; your photo stays on your device.
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United Kingdom Discharge book and British seaman's card (MSF 4509) photo: size and rules
Size
35×45 mm (413×531 pixels)
Background
cream or light grey
Head height (chin to crown)
29 to 34 mm
Glasses
Clear glasses only, no glare
Expression
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Two identical colour prints for each document, to a professional standard; one is countersigned
The office trims them to 35 mm high and 25 mm wide, so keep the face in the middle
Posted with the form: scans and copies are not accepted
Note on the sources: MSF 4509 asks for professional-standard prints; check that a kiosk print of a home photo is accepted before you post it.
UK seafarers apply to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for a discharge book, which records their sea service, and a British seaman's card, using form MSF 4509.
One 6×4 inch print holds 8 photos of 35×45 mm: the 4 you need and 4 spare. Print at 100% scale, not fit to page.
How to take the United Kingdom Discharge book and British seaman's card (MSF 4509) photo on your phone
Stand about an arm's length from a plain cream or light grey wall, facing a window or other soft light, so there are no shadows on your face or behind you.
Tilt clear glasses so they don't reflect the light, push your hair away from your eyes and eyebrows, and keep a neutral face with your mouth closed.
Hold the phone at eye level, or ask someone to take it. Picproved's camera tells you when your head is straight, centred and the right size.
Picproved crops the photo to 35×45 mm (413×531 pixels) with the head 29 to 34 mm tall, evens out the cream background and checks every rule before you save.
Save the file to upload, or a print sheet to print at a photo kiosk.
Two of the four pay out only for photos that passed their own expert check or a paid human check
Proof of the rejection
None. Tell us it was rejected
Three of the four ask for proof of the rejection or a reason for the claim
Time to tell us
90 days from your order
14 days from getting the photo at one, 30 days from the rejection at another; we found no limit at the other two
No face retouching. Pay once. 90-day redo and refund, no letter needed. Saving is free while we launch; the promise covers every paid photo once payments open. How the promises compare
Questions
What size is the United Kingdom Discharge book and British seaman's card (MSF 4509) photo?
35×45 mm. As a digital file that is 413×531 pixels.
What background does the United Kingdom Discharge book and British seaman's card (MSF 4509) photo need?
A plain cream or light grey background with no shadows or patterns.
Can I wear glasses in the United Kingdom Discharge book and British seaman's card (MSF 4509) photo?
Clear glasses are allowed if your eyes show clearly with no glare. Tinted glasses are not.
How do I make the United Kingdom Discharge book and British seaman's card (MSF 4509) photo with my phone?
Stand facing the camera against a plain wall in even light. Picproved shows live checks while you take it, crops it to 35×45 mm (413×531 pixels) and checks the rules before you save. Your photo stays on your device.
How many photos do I need for a discharge book and seaman's card?
Two identical colour photos for each document, so four for both, with one countersigned.
