In this guide
Resumes and cover letters
What personal details to leave off a resume
Which personal details belong on a resume and which to leave off, including photos, age and marital status, with what UK and US guidance says about them.
What to include
- Your name, as you want to be addressed.
- A phone number and an email address you check regularly.
- Your town or city and region, so the employer can judge commuting or relocation.
- A link to a professional profile or portfolio, if it adds evidence.
UK careers guidance lists the same essentials and says not to include your age, date of birth, marital status or nationality.
What to leave off, and why
| Detail | Usual advice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Photograph | Leave off | Not expected, and it invites judgements unrelated to the job |
| Date of birth or age | Leave off | Age is a protected characteristic in the UK and, from 40, under US federal law |
| Marital status or children | Leave off | Irrelevant to the job; in Great Britain, government guidance says employers must not ask |
| Nationality | Leave off | Right to work is the relevant question, not nationality |
| Full street address | Usually leave off | Town and region are enough at the first stage |
| National Insurance or Social Security number | Never include | It can be misused for identity fraud; employers usually ask for it after an offer |
| Health or disability | Your choice; not needed | You can ask for adjustments separately without disclosing on the resume |
Right to work: say it when it helps
If an employer might wonder whether you can work in the country, a short line such as 'Right to work in the UK' or 'Authorised to work in the US' can remove the doubt. You do not need to state your nationality or immigration status in detail, and you should not send identity documents with an application; employers check them later in the process.
What employers may and may not ask
In Great Britain, government guidance for employers says they must not ask candidates about protected characteristics or whether they are married or have children, and may ask for a date of birth on an application form only where the job has a minimum age, such as selling alcohol. Equality monitoring questions are allowed on a separate form that the people making the decision should not see.
In the US, federal law enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission makes it illegal for employers to base hiring decisions on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. State and local laws can add further protections.
When an employer or country expects more
Some countries and some employers routinely ask for details such as a photograph or date of birth. If the advert or application system asks for them, follow the instructions; a resume rule from one country should not override an employer's explicit request elsewhere.
Final personal-details check
- My contact details are correct and I have tested the email address.
- There is no photo, date of birth, marital status or nationality unless the employer asked for them.
- No identity numbers, passport details or bank details appear anywhere.
- My location is general enough to protect my privacy but clear enough for the job.
Sources
- National Careers Service: how to write a CV / resumeNational Careers Service (GOV.UK) · England · checked 3 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Employers: preventing discrimination in recruitmentGOV.UK · Great Britain · checked 3 October 2026
- GOV.UK: Discrimination: your rightsGOV.UK · Great Britain · checked 3 October 2026
- EEOC: Prohibited employment policies and practicesUS Equal Employment Opportunity Commission · US · checked 3 October 2026
Put it into practice
See how Luceria helps with thisDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.