I cannot see the word "STAMPED" anywhere
Photograph and head size specifications
- The face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling, with the mouth closed.
- If the photographs do not meet the specifications, you will have to provide new photographs before your application can be processed.
Requirements
- Provide two (2) identical citizenship photographs (except Renunciation applications, where only one (1) photo is required.)
- Your photographs must comply with the specifications below. If the photographs do not meet the specifications, you will have to provide new photographs before your application can be processed.
- Photographs must be printed on quality photographic paper.
- Provide the name of the photographer or the studio, the studio address and the date the photos were taken on the back of the photos
- Print the name of the person on the back of the photos.
Specifications
- The photographs must be identical and taken within the last six months. They may be either black and white or colour.
- The photographs must be clear, well defined and taken against a plain white or light-coloured background.
- If the photographs are digital, they must not be altered in any way.
- Your face must be square to the camera with a neutral expression, neither frowning nor smiling, and with your mouth closed.
- You may wear non-tinted prescription glasses as long as your eyes are clearly visible. Make sure that the frame does not cover any part of your eyes. Sunglasses are not acceptable.
- A hairpiece or other cosmetic accessory is acceptable if it does not disguise your normal appearance.
- If you must wear a head covering for religious reasons, make sure your full facial features are not obscured.
Photograph and head size specifications
- The frame size must be 50 mm x 70 mm (2″ x 2 ¾″).
- The photographs must show the full front view of the head, with the face in the middle of the photograph, and include the top of the shoulders.
- The size of the head, from chin to crown, must be between 31 mm (1 1/4″) and 36 mm (1 7/16″).
- Crown means the top of the head or (if obscured by hair or a head covering) where the top of the head or skull would be if it could be seen.
- If the photographs do not meet the specifications, you will have to provide new photographs before your application can be processed.
Passport Photo requirements: - need to be done by professionals / studio and also not necessary to stamp -
Passport photos
Photo specifications
Print the passport photo specifications for you or your photographer. (PDF, 652.38KB)
Make sure your photo has been taken within the last six months
Passport photo requirements have changed – archived. Your photos must be taken no more than six months before the date you submit your application.
Canadians living in the United States and abroad
Our requirements for passport photos are different from those in the United States and other countries. Photos for Canadian passports
must be taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio. They must also comply with all of our photo requirements. If they don’t,
we will reject your application.
Bring the
Passport photo specifications to the photographer or studio to make sure they meet the correct photo requirements.
You must submit
two (2) identical and unaltered photos with each passport application.
Photo requirements
Your passport photos must be:
- clear, sharp and in focus
- taken with a neutral facial expression
- eyes open and clearly visible
- mouth closed, no smiling
- taken in person by a commercial photographer or studio with:
- uniform lighting and with no shadows, glare or flash reflections
- face and shoulders to the camera: straight-on, centered and squared
- a plain white or light-coloured background with a clear difference between your face and the background. Photos must reflect/represent natural skin tones.
- 50 mm wide X 70 mm high (2 inches wide X 2- 3/4 inches long)
- the height of the face measures between 31 mm (1- 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1- 7/16 inches) from chin to crown of head (natural top of head)
- an image of your current appearance, taken within the last six months
- professionally printed on plain, high quality photographic paper
- we don’t accept photos printed at home and photos printed on heavy weight paper
- original photos that are not altered in any way or taken from an existing photo
What is an altered photo?
An altered photo refers to any photo that has been edited or changed in any way, by any means, and includes:
- technical corrections or enhancements, such as:
- adjustments to colour, brightness, contrast or sharpness
- cropping around the subject’s head and shoulders, including:
- cutting and pasting the subject against a white background
- editing of the facial features, such as:
- changing size or shape of eyes, nose, mouth or ears
- editing to improve the appearance of the subject, such as:
- removing glare
- removing red-eye
- changing hair colour
- eliminating wrinkles, blemishes or birthmarks
- editing the subject’s clothing, including changing colours
- changing the background, including eliminating shadows
Back of photo details
The back of one photo must include:
- the photographer’s stamp or written information of the:
- date the photo was taken
- name and complete address of the photo studio
- your guarantor’s:
- clearly writing of "I certify this to be a true likeness of (applicant's name)"
- signature (name and surname)
If you’re renewing an adult passport, you don’t need a guarantor.
Extra details
We
accept photos with:
- glasses worn if:
- your eyes are clearly visible
- there is no glare on the lenses
- hair down or up
- hats and head coverings worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons if:
- your full face is clearly visible
- the head covering doesn’t cast shadows on your face
Photos may be in colour or in black and white
We
don’t accept photos with:
- sunglasses or tinted eye glasses (even when the eyes are clearly visible)
- red-eye effect or red-eye alterations
- hats and head coverings not worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons
- shadows, as lighting must be uniform to avoid shadows:
- around the ears
- in the background
- across the face or shoulders
Child photos
Child photos must follow the same rules as standard passport photos. They must show your child's head and shoulders only. Parent's or child's hands must not appear in the photo.
For newborn babies, the photo may be taken while your child is sitting in a car seat, as long as:
- a white blanket is placed over the seat behind their head
- there are no shadows:
- around the ears
- in the background
- on the face or shoulders
We recognize the difficulty in getting a neutral expression from your newborn. We do allow some range for infant facial expressions.