Baby Passport Photo — Canada Requirements

Photo size, background, and compliance rules — plus a free tool to create your photo instantly.

The official photo must be 50 × 70 mm. Required background: Plain light. Face height must be 44–51% of the total photo height. Use the free tool below to create and check your photo instantly.

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50 mm70 mm44–51%

50 × 70 mm

Photo specifications

Dimensions

50 × 70 mm

Background

Plain light

Face height

4451%

of total photo height

Resolution

300 DPI

Glasses

Not allowed

Head covering

Allowed (religious)

Max photo age

6 months

Expression

Neutral expression (no smile)

Digital upload

Pixels1200×1800px min · 3000×4500px max
File size200 KB – 5 MB
FormatJPEG

Official photo requirements

canada.ca(opens in new tab)Verified

Requirements last verified: 2026-03-20

Other document types in Canada

Next steps and related guides

These related pages cover exact size rules, common rejection reasons, printing, and the editor.

How to take your photo

  1. Set up the required background

    Use a plain, evenly lit backdrop with no patterns, textures, or shadows. Required background: Plain light. A plain wall or sheet works well.

  2. Get even, shadow-free lighting

    Stand facing a natural light source or use two soft lights — one on each side — to eliminate shadows on your face and background.

  3. Position your face correctly

    Your face must fill 44–51% of the photo height. Look directly at the camera. Remove any glasses before taking the photo.

  4. Check and download with idpic.app

    Upload your photo to the free tool — it checks all requirements automatically and generates a print-ready file.

Photo Dimensions

Size: 50 × 70 mm

Digital File Specifications

Minimum width: 1200 px

Maximum width: 3000 px

Minimum file size: 200 KB

Maximum file size: 5120 KB

File format: JPEG

Tips for Getting the Right Size

  • Use idpic.app to automatically crop and resize your photo to the exact required dimensions — no manual calculation needed.
  • Keep your face centred in the frame with your head fully visible from crown to chin.
  • When printing, ensure you print at 100% scale (not "fit to page") to preserve the correct dimensions.
  • Your face should fill the correct proportion of the photo. idpic.app shows a face guide overlay to help you position correctly.

Background Specification

Plain white or light grey background required. The background must be a single, uniform, light colour — either white or a neutral light grey. No patterns, gradients, or shadows.

How to Get the Right Background

  • Stand at least 50 cm from the wall to prevent shadows falling on the background.
  • Use even, diffuse lighting — a window or softbox pointed at the background helps.
  • A plain white or light-coloured wall, a white sheet, or a dedicated photo backdrop all work well.
  • Use idpic.app to automatically replace your background with the correct colour — no manual editing required.

Glasses requirements

Glasses are not allowed for this photo. This includes prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. Remove all eyewear before taking your photo. This is the official requirement for Canada.

Tips for Taking Your Photo

  • Remove all glasses — including prescription glasses — before taking the photo.
  • Contact lenses are fine and do not need to be removed.
  • If you wear glasses regularly, check that there are no indentations on your nose from the frames.

Common Rejection Reasons

  • Wrong background. Canada Baby Passport photos require a plain Plain light background with no shadows, patterns, or objects. Retake the photo against a flat, evenly lit backdrop.
  • Wearing glasses. Glasses are not permitted in Canada Baby Passport photos. Remove all eyewear before taking the photo.
  • Face obscured by head covering. Religious head coverings are allowed, but your full face — from chin to forehead — must remain visible with no shadow cast on it.
  • Face size out of range. Your face must fill between 44% and 51% of the photo height. Move closer to or further from the camera and recrop.
  • Photo too old. Canada Baby Passport photos must be taken within the last 6 months. Take a new photo if yours is older.
  • Digital file doesn't meet spec. Online submissions must be a JPEG file matching the exact pixel dimensions and file size the portal requires. Re-export your photo at the correct size before uploading.
  • Low resolution or blurry. Your photo must be sharp and at least 300 pixels on its shortest side. Use good lighting and hold the camera steady.
  • Shadows. Shadows across your face or on the background — often from overhead lighting or a nearby wall — are a common rejection reason. Use soft, even lighting from the front.
  • Wrong expression. Smiling, frowning, closed eyes, or an open mouth can cause rejection. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
  • Wrong paper or printing. Home-printed photos on regular paper, or prints with a glossy coating that catches light, are often rejected. Print on quality matte photo paper at full size and 100% scale.

Frequently asked questions

What is the required photo size for a baby passport in Canada?
Required size: 50 × 70 mm. Minimum resolution: 300 pixels on the shortest side.
What background is required for a baby passport in Canada?
Required background: Plain light.
Can I create a photo for a baby passport in Canada online for free?
Yes. idpic.app lets you create a compliant photo for free, entirely in your browser with no uploads.
Are glasses allowed for a baby passport in Canada?
No. Glasses are not allowed in this photo. This is the official requirement for Canada.
What is the maximum photo age for a baby passport in Canada?
Your photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must reflect your current appearance.
Can I take a photo for a baby passport in Canada with my phone?
Yes. Modern smartphones have sufficient resolution. Use the rear camera. Ensure good lighting. Then upload the photo to idpic.app so the tool can crop, resize, and validate it automatically.
What resolution do I need for a photo for a baby passport in Canada?
The recommended resolution is 300 DPI. Any modern smartphone camera exceeds this requirement.
Can I use a wall at home as the background?
Yes, a plain white or light-coloured wall works well. Make sure there are no shadows behind you — stand a few steps away from the wall to avoid this. Even, diffuse lighting helps achieve a flat, uniform background.
Will my photo be rejected for the wrong background?
Yes. A background that is patterned, too dark, or contains shadows is a common reason for photo rejection. Use idpic.app to automatically remove and replace your background to meet official requirements.
What if I need glasses for medical reasons?
If you require glasses for medical reasons, contact the issuing authority directly. You may need to provide a signed statement from a medical professional.
Why was my Canada Baby Passport photo rejected?
The most common reasons are an incorrect background colour, glasses or head coverings that are not permitted, a face that is too large or too small in the frame, and a photo that is too old. Compare your photo against the checklist above to find the issue.
How can I avoid my Canada Baby Passport photo being rejected?
Use idpic.app to automatically check your photo against the official Canada Baby Passport requirements before you print or submit it. The tool flags background, size, and face positioning issues in seconds.
What should I do if my Canada Baby Passport photo was already rejected?
Take a new photo that corrects the specific issue you were told about, or run it through the checklist above. Then check the official Canada government portal for how to resubmit your application.

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