Image Of Passport

[bobbinwales]

I need to book into my hotel online 5 days before I get there and need to provide details including a image of my passport. I've tried scanning it and using the camera on various device's but all the pictures or scans are rejected as not clear enough. I done it on a black surface but whatever i do I get shadows or the light glares off the passport, and the passport wont stay down flat enough, and the picture never looks a proper rectangle!
Does anyone have any tips on how to make a good enough image please!

[Hopkirk]

Don't try to get a proper rectangle. That requires you to be looking straight at it, so the flash will shine back at you.

Also try doing it with strong lighting and the flash turned off.

[bobbinwales]

Cheers, yes I've tried all angles-direct above, 45 degrees 60 degrees. ALl light are on full. Even when I avoid glare the image isnt good enough for there app. After 3 hours and 3 devices am on the verge of letting them do it when I arrive even if I have to join s long queue and miss the chance to book some tables etc in advance

[bobbinwales]

Also how do I lie the passport down perfectly flat on the relevant doublepage without taping it down to stop it coming up slightly at top and bottom.
Grr

[calmck]

Lay it flat on your printer glass. Weigh down with book. Print it then take a photo of it with your device. I do it this way all the time. If you have an IPad do a scan in NOTES

[bobbinwales]

Thanks. So a photo of a photocopy. Will try that.

[237SJ]

Can't say I have ever had to leave a copy of my passport with an hotel. Don't you worry that it might put you at risk of identity fraud?

[237SJ]

Well, I`ve had to do it in China, but that's China.

[bobbinwales]

Lots of hotels abroad has taken copies over the years... or sometime's they use to retain your passport...

[bobbinwales]

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g186338-i17-k5353060-o10-Passport_needed_to_check_in_hotel-London_England.html

[bobbinwales]

I been to this hotel numerous times. I cant remmeber whether they copy passports but they allways need to make a note of passport number or check your ID,,, but this is to speed up check in

[wolf63]

Can't you just scan it?

[237SJ]

I remember checking into an hotel in Thailand about 30 years ago. Reception wanted to keep our passports just in case we lost our room keys. I flatly refused as they have no right to keep your passport. They must have hated me because everyone in the queue behind us at Reception then refused to leave their passports with them as well. Needless to say, the hotel backed down.

[bobbinwales]

Done it now using calmk's method- copying at high quality then taking pic of the photocop.
The scans were rejected, not sure if due to quality or not been right size. I needed to put a photo into an app that fitted exactly into the box on the phone app

[bobbinwales]

I'm pretty sure most hotels abroad check your passport...they often disappear off for a few seconds and maybe take a copy... am sure theres a good reason and nothing sinister.
Hotels in UK do the same for overseas visiters

[237SJ]

Sorry but I have spent half of my life in hotels and they don't or if they do, they have no right to

[237SJ]

Yes, they check your passport against the booking but taking it away and photocopying it is not acceptable.

[bobbinwales]

Sorry 237SJ but always they check my passport.
Maybe I look suspicious .
But this isnt what I asked... I need to send an image, end of! Its the only way they'd check me in in advance and let me book meals, services.. Presumably you'd have refused and not done any bookings in advanced

[Togo]

I had similar problems trying to get my drivers licence accepted for a covid licence application online. I tried all the things that you have been trying including taking a photo outside in daylight. I seems that the scanners at the other end need to be able to read any script or stamp which is overlaid on you photo. I my case the dark date of birth, printed in black, were not showing up because I had on a dark jacket in the image. I altered the brightness levels in file explorer edit facility after taking a camera image outside with no flash. Took me all day to figure out, and nearly drove me mad, because I needed it pronto.