Photos for citizenship application

[Cell]

Hi,
I have a pretty dumb question, but I'll ask anyway.

I'm getting ready my citizenship application, which requires me to send 2 photos along with all the documentation. I would like to know what they will be using those photos for (i.e. if I will get a citizenship certificate/ID or something like that with those photos).

The reason for my question is that I got my photos, but I really look terrible. If those photos are not going to appear in any final citizenship document or if they will ask me again for new pictures once I'm about to become citizen (as they did for the permanent residency application), I will just submit them and who cares.

However, if the pictures that I'm about to send will be on the citizenship document/ID that I will get once I get citizenship and will be there forever, I will rather get new photos to send with my documents.

Thanks

 

[ahmed5]

It will be used for citizenship certificate

 

[Cell]

I actually checked online how the citizenship certificate looks like:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/proof-citizenship/documents.html

It seems like there is no photo on it. Did you already got yours? How long did it take for you to get your citizenship certificate after you took the oath at your citizenship ceremony?

 

[jc94]

It will be used for citizenship certificate

As per the link above by @Cell there is no photo on the certificate. They include one (of the two) photos in the envelope that the certificate comes with - presumably to check they're giving it to the right person, but there is nothing actually on the certificate.

I actually checked online how the citizenship certificate looks like:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/proof-citizenship/documents.html

It seems like there is no photo on it. Did you already got yours? How long did it take for you to get your citizenship certificate after you took the oath at your citizenship ceremony?

You get the certificate at the ceremony, so about 30 mins after you take the oath depending upon how many people are there and where you are in the order.

 

[Cell]

Thank you so much for your reply, @jc94! You saved me 20 bucks for a new picture.

I was worried that after 4+ years spent waiting to get the citizenship I could have ended up getting a perpetual document with that horrible picture

 

[jc94]

Thank you so much for your reply, @jc94! You saved me 20 bucks for a new picture.

I was worried that after 4+ years spent waiting to get the citizenship I could have ended up getting a perpetual document with that horrible picture

Where are you spending $20? Here in Ontario Toronto loves to charge $20 (or $30 at Walmart ) but if you look outside the core areas it's $15 or goto Brampton and it's $7.95 And photos from there were fine for everyone I know.

 

[Cell]

I got it at Jean Coutu in Montreal, it's 14.99 + taxes, plus another $2 + taxes if you want a digital copy (which I asked just because I might be using it for something else, but it's not necessary for citizenship), and the total was about $19.50.

I'm pretty sure there are also other places where I could have got them for cheaper, but usually in the pharmacies they take a lot of pictures for immigration documents and passports, so it's a bit more of a guarantee that they won't be refused. Plus, Jean Coutu offers a warranty on the result of the picture; if it's rejected, they take you one more for free, and provide a $20 gift card as additional compensation. Some other pharmacies and photo services (but not all), offer something similar.

When I applied for PR, I read on this forum that many people got their photos rejected, so I feel it's better to go to a place that knows what they are doing.

 

[ahmed5]

As per the link above by @Cell there is no photo on the certificate. They include one (of the two) photos in the envelope that the certificate comes with - presumably to check they're giving it to the right person, but there is nothing actually on the certificate.

They gave me my certificate in a plastic cover and inside was the photo.

 

[jc94]

I got it at Jean Coutu in Montreal, it's 14.99 + taxes, plus another $2 + taxes if you want a digital copy (which I asked just because I might be using it for something else, but it's not necessary for citizenship), and the total was about $19.50.

I'm pretty sure there are also other places where I could have got them for cheaper, but usually in the pharmacies they take a lot of pictures for immigration documents and passports, so it's a bit more of a guarantee that they won't be refused. Plus, Jean Coutu offers a warranty on the result of the picture; if it's rejected, they take you one more for free, and provide a $20 gift card as additional compensation. Some other pharmacies and photo services (but not all), offer something similar.

When I applied for PR, I read on this forum that many people got their photos rejected, so I feel it's better to go to a place that knows what they are doing.

Well I wouldn't read too much into the warranty, almost everyone I've seen offers that and I know people who have indeed had photos taken there and gotten their money back (and then waited 2 months for a passport). The key is to use a place that you know is good.

I had my photos for application taken there only after I knew my friend had used them for his application photos and they've done passport photos for three of us as well and all okay.

They gave me my certificate in a plastic cover and inside was the photo.

Yes, but it's not attached to the certificate, I believe they just use it to confirm they are handing it to the right person. There is no actual photo on the certificate itself, just personal details like name and date of birth. Same thing a birth certificate has really and of course birth certificates don't have a photo for obvious reasons either

 

[ahmed5]

Well I wouldn't read too much into the warranty, almost everyone I've seen offers that and I know people who have indeed had photos taken there and gotten their money back (and then waited 2 months for a passport). The key is to use a place that you know is good.

I had my photos for application taken there only after I knew my friend had used them for his application photos and they've done passport photos for three of us as well and all okay.



Yes, but it's not attached to the certificate, I believe they just use it to confirm they are handing it to the right person. There is no actual photo on the certificate itself, just personal details like name and date of birth. Same thing a birth certificate has really and of course birth certificates don't have a photo for obvious reasons either

Yes it is not fixed.

 

[crosstheangel]

Guys, the one who took my photos told me he did not need to sign it but he did stamp on my 2 photos - It's pro passport photos so the stamp has the address and studio name but is the photographer's name also required?
Plus, I know I have to print my name on the back but do I need to sign in the guarantor's place?

Thanks

 

[shazahsan]

Guys, the one who took my photos told me he did not need to sign it but he did stamp on my 2 photos - It's pro passport photos so the stamp has the address and studio name but is the photographer's name also required?
Plus, I know I have to print my name on the back but do I need to sign in the guarantor's place?

Thanks

Either the photographer's name (if an individual) or the studio name is required. So if it's a store or studio you got them from, the studio name and address are required and that should be fine.
Plus the date the photos were taken.
No, you don't need to sign them but you do need to write your name on the back.
Here are the specifications for citizenship photos: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/citizenship-application-photograph-specifications.html

 

[crosstheangel]

Tks a lot, I did write my name on the back of the photos and submitted my application already

 

[varlam]

Either the photographer's name (if an individual) or the studio name is required. So if it's a store or studio you got them from, the studio name and address are required and that should be fine.
Plus the date the photos were taken.
No, you don't need to sign them but you do need to write your name on the back.
Here are the specifications for citizenship photos: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/citizenship-application-photograph-specifications.html

i got my photos from costco for 6.99, just found out that only one of the photos is stamped. do i need to go back to costco and ask to stamp the second on as well? any ideas on it?

TIA