Canadian Citizenship Photos

Canadian citizenship photos in the US: where to get them.

Canadian citizenship photos are a different spec from US passport photos — and different from Canadian passport photos too. Find a photographer near you, then check your photos against the requirements below.

Directory 737 photographers
Source Canadian consulates
Coverage All 50 US states
canadian citizenship photo specifications

Find a photographer

Find a Canadian citizenship photographer near you

Every studio listed by a Canadian consulate in the United States, sorted by distance.

or

10 closest photographers

    Canadian citizenship photo specifications diagram: 50mm wide by 70mm tall, with head measuring 31–36mm chin to crown

    The essentials

    Canadian citizenship photo size & requirements

    These are the core dimensions that distinguish a Canadian citizenship photo from every other passport photo. The full requirements include lighting, expression, paper, and back-of-photo information — always refer to the official IRCC page before having your photos taken.

    • Photo size 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ in)
    • Head height 31 – 36 mm chin to crown
    • Prints required 2 identical for mailed applications
    Full IRCC specifications on canada.ca → The official source. Always defer to it before having photos taken.

    Why photos get rejected

    Why Canadian citizenship photos get rejected.

    A rejected photo means the entire Citizenship by Descent application package gets returned — not just the photos. Here are the details that slip past most US photographers, even ones who take passport photos every day.

    01
    Back of photo
    Missing studio information.
    One of your two printed photos must have your name, date of birth, studio name and address, and the date taken — written or stamped on the back. Most professional photographers will add this automatically when you ask for "citizenship photos." Ask to confirm before you leave the studio.

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    02
    Head position
    A tilted head.
    Your head must be perfectly level and squared directly at the camera. A charming natural tilt — the kind most people unconsciously do for pictures — fails the specs. Imagine you're looking into a mirror hanging straight on a wall.
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    03
    Cropping
    Head too small in the frame.
    US photographers often default to the 51×51 mm US passport crop, which centers the face with more margin around it. The Canadian spec requires the head to measure between 31 and 36 mm chin-to-crown — noticeably larger in the frame. If in doubt, your head should feel slightly too prominent.
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    04
    Expression
    Even a slight smile.
    Mouth must be closed. Eyes open. Face neutral. Not happy, not serious — just neutral. The polite camera-smile most of us make unconsciously is enough to trigger a rejection. The direction to give your photographer is "blank stare, not portrait."
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    05
    Eyewear
    Glasses, even without glare.
    Since 2024, IRCC strongly advises against glasses in identity photos. Any glare or reflection on the lens is an automatic rejection, and even glasses without glare often get flagged. The safest approach is to take them off entirely, even if you never leave the house without them.
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    06
    Editing
    Any digital retouching.
    IRCC explicitly rejects photos altered in any way — filters, smoothing, background replacement, red-eye removal, or any other type of editing.
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    Fair warning: a photo that meets all of these specs is probably not one you'll want to share anywhere else.

    PHOTO QUESTIONS

    Canadian citizenship photo FAQs.


    • Are Canadian citizenship photos the same as Canadian passport photos?

      Canadian citizenship photos and passport photos are not the same. They share the same outer dimensions (50 × 70 mm) but differ in cropping rules and acceptable variations. Always ask for "Canadian citizenship photos," specifically, not "Canadian passport photos."

      Print the canada.ca citizenship photo specifications page and bring it with you.


    • What if no photographer on the consulate's list is near me?

      The consulate lists of photographers aren't exhaustive — they're just the studios that have reached out to be listed. Any professional photographer can produce a compliant photo if you bring them the written specifications. Print the canada.ca specifications page and hand it to them before they start.


    • How long are my photos valid for?

      Canadian citizenship photos expire six months from the date the photo was taken.


    • Can I wear a head covering?

      Only if it's worn daily for religious or medical reasons. Hats, beanies, toques, and fashion head coverings aren't permitted. If you wear a religious head covering, your full face must still be visible from chin to forehead and from ear to ear, and the covering can't cast shadows or obscure facial features.


    • My photos were rejected. What happens now?

      If your photos are rejected, IRCC returns the entire application package with a note explaining why the photos didn't meet specifications. You'll need to get new compliant photos taken, attach them to the returned package, and resubmit. This usually doesn't require paying a new application fee — but it does add weeks or months to your processing time. Keep the rejection letter with your resubmission.

    See all 180 Proof of Citizenship FAQ questions, organized by category →

    KEEP GOING

    Photos done. What's next?

    Photos sit near the end of the package. Here's where to go next — and where to loop back if you got here early.

    Next step

    Translations

    If any of your records are in French, IRCC requires certified English translations before you mail the package.

    Open the translations guide →

    After that

    Mailing your application

    How to package your CIT 0001 submission, what shipping method to use, and what to keep for your records.

    Open the mailing guide →

    Or earlier

    Line of descent

    If you haven't yet mapped the chain from your Canadian-born ancestor to you, start here. Photos come much later.

    Map your line of descent →

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