Canadian Citizenship Photo in the US

A Canadian citizenship photo is 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2 3/4 inches long), not the US 2 x 2 inch size, and IRCC says to go to a commercial photographer or studio to have it taken. In the US, ask the studio for the Canadian 50 x 70 mm citizenship format and make sure the back of each printed photo is filled in.

This page is informational. Passport911 does not make Canadian photos, because IRCC asks applicants to have their photos taken by a commercial photographer or studio.

Size and face height

The same size rules apply to a citizenship grant and to proof of citizenship, by mail or online.

Photo size: 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2 3/4 inches long).
Face height: 31 mm (1 1/4 inches) to 36 mm (1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown, the natural top of the head.
A US passport photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), so it is not the Canadian citizenship size.

Getting the photo taken in the US

Passport photo counters at US pharmacies and stores are set up for the US 2 x 2 inch photo. Before they take the photo, ask for a Canadian citizenship photo, 50 x 70 mm. (Passport911 tip, not an official rule)
Bring the IRCC photo specifications for your application. IRCC publishes them as a page to give to your photographer, and you can print it.
For printed photos, check the back of each photo before you leave: it needs your name, the studio's name and complete address, and the date the photo was taken. (Passport911 tip, not an official rule)
For an online application, ask the studio for the digital file as well as any prints. (Passport911 tip, not an official rule)

Paper applications (by mail)

For a citizenship grant or proof of citizenship by mail, you must provide 2 identical colour printed photos. They must be professionally printed on plain, high quality photographic paper, and the back of each photo must include:

your (or the child's) first and last name
the name and complete address of the photographer or studio
the date the photo was taken

Online applications (digital photo)

A citizenship grant online needs 1 colour digital photo (preferred) or 1 digital black-and-white photo. Proof of citizenship online needs 1 colour digital photo.

If the photographer cannot give you a digital file for a citizenship grant, IRCC says you can scan or take a picture of a printed photo from them, but a digital photo straight from the photographer is safer.

JPG or JPEG file with minimal compression, saved directly from the camera without any changes to the original file.
At least 420 by 540 pixels.
Approximately 240 kB in file size, but no more than 4 MB.
For proof of citizenship online, include on the receipt or in a separate text file: the first and last name of the person in the photo, the name and complete address of the photographer or studio, and the date the photo was taken.

Recency, expression and quality

Taken no more than 6 months before you submit your application, showing your current appearance.
Neutral facial expression: eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed, with no smiling or frowning.
Face and shoulders straight-on to the camera, centred and squared, on a plain white or light-coloured background.
Clear, sharp and in focus, with uniform lighting and no shadows, glare or flash reflections, and natural skin tones.
An original photo that is not altered in any way. Red-eye effect and red-eye alterations are not accepted.

Glasses and head coverings

Glasses are accepted if your eyes are clearly visible, the frames do not cover your eyes and there is no glare on the lenses.
Sunglasses and tinted glasses are not accepted, even prescription lenses with your eyes clearly visible.
Hats and head coverings are accepted only if worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons, with your full face clearly visible and no shadows on your face.

Photos of children

The proof of citizenship photo pages add these rules for children:

The photo shows the child's head and shoulders only, and the parent's or child's hands must not appear.
A newborn may be photographed sitting in a car seat if a white blanket is placed over the seat behind their head and there are no shadows.
IRCC allows some range of facial expression for infants.

Canadian passport photos

Canadian passport photo requirements are different from those of other countries, so do not assume a US passport photo will work. IRCC says it will refuse an application if the photos do not meet its requirements.

IRCC lists separate passport photo requirements for new adult passports and renewals in person or by mail, for child passports, and for online renewals, and asks you to give them to your photographer.

Canadian passport photo requirements on canada.ca

Need a photo for a US document?

Passport911 makes photos for US documents only, such as a US passport or US visa.

Make a US passport photo

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Canadian citizenship photo?

50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2 3/4 inches long), with a face height of 31 mm (1 1/4 inches) to 36 mm (1 7/16 inches) from chin to crown, the natural top of the head.

Can I use a US 2x2 inch passport photo for Canadian citizenship?

No. A US passport photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). Canadian citizenship photos are 50 x 70 mm, so ask the studio for the Canadian format.

What goes on the back of a Canadian citizenship photo?

Your (or the child's) first and last name, the name and complete address of the photographer or studio, and the date the photo was taken.

Can Passport911 make a Canadian citizenship photo?

No. IRCC says to go to a commercial photographer or studio. Passport911 makes photos for US documents only.

Who decides whether my photo is accepted?

IRCC does. Final acceptance is decided by the issuing agency.

Sources

Content last reviewed 2026-10-25. Requirements can change, so confirm them with the issuing agency.