Quantity
TWO identical photos are required for each passport or travel document.
Date of photo
Your photo must have been taken within the last 12 months. This is to ensure an up-to-date likeness and to minimize fading during the five-year life of the passport.
Child replacement passports or travel documents: If applying for a replacement passport or travel document for a child, you must include a photo that has been taken within the last month.
Standards for acceptable photos
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Either black and white or colour photos are acceptable.
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Photos must be originals, not taken from any existing photo.
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[ NEW ] Photos must be taken against a plain white to 18% grey background without shadows. An 18% grey background is recommended for persons having white hair and/or wearing white clothing.
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[ NEW ] The face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression and with the mouth closed.
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A full front view of the subject's head and shoulders is required.
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Tinted prescription glasses may be worn as long as the eyes are clearly visible.
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Sunglasses are not acceptable.
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False hairpieces or other cosmetic devices are acceptable if they do not disguise the natural appearance of the bearer and are worn habitually.
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A photo in which the applicant is wearing a hat or head covering or anything that interferes with the photo's value in providing a means of identifying the issuee for the benefit of border control is not acceptable for a Canadian passport or travel document. While allowances may be made for practitioners of religious faiths that prohibit the removal of the head covering, photos in which the full facial features of the subject are not visible are not acceptable.
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ACCEPTABLE PHOTOS*
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* These photos do not represent the actual size of a passport photo. Please see the specific dimensions below.
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Unacceptable photos
Photos that do not meet the above specifications, or that do not allow a clear and positive identification (image too dark, too light or blurry) will not be accepted. Retouched photos, photos that peel, photos sensitive to heat or group photos will also be rejected.
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UNACCEPTABLE PHOTOS
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shaded face and facial expression |
darkened face |
underlit foreground |
lack of contrast/sharpness |
dark background |
background shadow |
Message to photographers To avoid possible rejection:
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There should be no shadows nor any glare from glasses, improper lighting or jewelry.
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Professional photos produced digitally are accepted provided all other requirements are met. If using a digital camera it should be at least one metre from the subject.
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Set up three 300 watt flashes with "soft boxes" to reduce glare (two in front, one behind).
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Tilt the lights at a 45 degree angle.
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Make sure the background is plain white.
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Use matte-finish photographic paper.
Technical specifications Paper
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Photos without proper backing are not acceptable. Photographic papers must have a backing that accepts and retains the photographer's stamp and date, and the guarantor's statement and signature, without smearing.
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Photos must be on lightweight paper; heavyweight paper is not acceptable.
Dimensions
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Maximum dimensions of finished photos are 50 mm x 70 mm (2 inches x 2 3/4 inches).
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Minimum dimensions of finished photos are 43 mm x 54 mm
(1 11/16 inches x 2 1/8 inches).
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[ NEW ] The image must be centered in the photo, square to the camera and the face length from chin to crown of head must be between 31 mm and 36 mm (1 1/4 inches to 1 7/16 inches).
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Photographer's stamp
The back of ONE photo must have the following:
- Name and address of the photographer or the studio.
- Date the photo was taken (not the date the photo was printed).
- Name of the applicant.
- Guarantor's signature.
This information must be printed directly on the back of the photo. Stick-on labels are not acceptable.
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Declaration of limited liability
The Passport Office denies liability in case of premature photo fading or failure before the expiry of the passport issued.
