Photo Requirements
For all passport and travel document applications, two identical photos must be submitted. These photos must have been taken within the last 12 months in order to ensure an up-to-date likeness and to minimize fading during the five-year life of the passport.
If applying for a child replacement passport or travel document, you must include a photo that has been taken within the last month.
Please ensure that your photos meet the following guidelines:
- Eyes must be open and clearly visible.
- Glasses, including tinted ones with prescription, may be worn as long as the eyes are clearly visible. Sunglasses are unacceptable.
- Facial expression must be neutral (not frowning nor smiling) with the mouth closed.
- Photos must show both edges of the face clearly.
- Photos must show a full front view of face and shoulders squared to the camera.
- The face and shoulder image must be centred in the photo.
- Photos must reflect/represent natural skin tones.
- The length from chin to crown of head (natural top of head) must be 31 mm to 36 mm.
- The image must be clear, sharp and in focus.
- Photos with shadows on the face or background are unacceptable.
- Photos must be taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflection on the face and head.
- Photos must be taken against a plain, uniform, white or light-coloured background.
- Hats or head coverings are not permitted except when worn for religious reasons and only if the full facial features are clearly visible.
- Black and white or colour photos are acceptable.
- Only the head and shoulders of young children must appear on the photo (e.g. no hands holding the child).
- Two identical unaltered photos produced from the same film or from the same electronic file capturing the digital image.
- The maximum photo size must be 50 mm wide x 70 mm long.
- Heavy weight paper is unacceptable.
- Photos must be printed on high quality photographic paper.
- Photographic paper must have a backing that accepts and retains the photographer's stamp and date, and the guarantor's statement and signature, without smearing.
- Photos must be taken by a commercial photographer.
- The name of the photographer or studio, the address and the date the photo was taken (not the date the photo was printed) must be provided directly on the back of one photo (see illustration). Stick-on labels are unacceptable. Sufficient space must be allowed for the name of the applicant, the signature of a guarantor and the guarantor's declaration.
- Photos must be originals, not taken from any existing photo.
- One photo must be signed by a guarantor as a true likeness of the applicant.
- Notarial seals must not be imprinted on photos.