A Canadian infant passport photo uses the same print dimensions as an adult photo, but photographing a baby requires a patient, safe setup. This guide explains the infant passport photo requirements in Canada, including size, expressions, backgrounds, professional printing and the information needed on the back.
Important: an at-home appointment is not a DIY phone-photo service. Canadian child passport photographs must be taken in person by a commercial photographer or photo studio and professionally printed. Check the Government of Canada passport photo requirements before applying. This guide was checked against that guidance on October 12, 2026.
Canadian Infant Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Canadian child passport standard |
|---|---|
| Number of photos | 2 identical, unaltered printed photographs |
| Print dimensions | 50 mm wide × 70 mm high |
| Face measurement | 31–36 mm from chin to crown |
| Background and lighting | Plain white or light-coloured; uniform lighting without shadows or glare |
| Timing | Taken no more than 6 months before the application |
| Photographer and paper | Taken in person by a commercial photographer; professionally printed on plain, high-quality photographic paper |
The photo must show the baby’s face and shoulders centred and facing the camera. Neither a parent’s hands nor the baby’s hands should appear. The face must be unobstructed, the skin tone natural and the image sharp. These requirements apply to newborns too.
Do Babies Need Their Eyes Open for Canadian Passport Photos?
The standard expression guidance calls for open, clearly visible eyes, a closed mouth and a neutral expression. The Government of Canada also recognizes that a perfect neutral expression is difficult for a newborn and allows some range of infant facial expressions.
This is not a blanket guarantee that a sleeping baby or any closed-eye photograph will be accepted. Aim for the clearest view of the face and eyes. If your baby is asleep, crying or turning away, allow a settling break and try another frame. The passport authority makes the final acceptance decision.
What Size Is a Baby Passport Photo in Canada?
The finished print is 50 × 70 mm, not the 2 × 2 inch format used for a US passport. Within the Canadian print, the distance from the chin to the crown of the head must be 31–36 mm. Measure the head itself, not the top of a hat or an exaggerated outline of the hair.
A full-body baby portrait is not a substitute for the required head-and-shoulders photograph. Tell the photographer which document you are applying for before the session; passport, visa and other ID formats should not be treated as interchangeable. For broader guidance, visit our at-home passport photo service page.
Background, Clothing and Safe Positioning
Use a plain white or light-coloured background with a clear separation from the baby’s face and clothing. A simple darker outfit can help provide contrast. Avoid hoods, large collars, hair accessories, pacifiers and anything that hides the face or casts a shadow.
The official newborn instructions allow a car-seat setup with a white blanket behind the baby’s head, provided there are no shadows around the ears, on the face or shoulders, or on the background. A parent can help soothe and position the baby between frames, but must remain outside the finished photograph.
Never balance a newborn upright without appropriate support or use an unstable raised surface just to obtain a picture. Let the photographer choose a secure arrangement for your baby’s age and head control, with a parent close by. Keep the blanket away from the nose and mouth, and pause whenever the baby needs attention.
Can Parents Take the Passport Photo at Home?
A commercial photographer can photograph your baby at home. However, a parent’s DIY phone photo and home-printed copy do not meet the published Canadian child passport requirements. A digital file alone also does not replace the two required prints.
Do not use filters, beauty retouching, AI tools or background replacement. The official instructions prohibit alterations, including changes to appearance, clothing, background, colour, brightness, contrast or sharpness. Correct the lighting and position during capture rather than trying to repair the image afterwards.
What Goes on the Back of a Child’s Passport Photo?
On the back of one photograph, the photographer writes or stamps the date taken and the studio’s name and complete address. Stick-on labels are not accepted. The child’s guarantor adds the required certification statement and signature; this is a different responsibility from the photographer’s stamp. Follow the official child passport application instructions for your application.
A Practical Checklist Before the Appointment
- Confirm the document and country: Canadian passport, not a different visa or ID format.
- Choose a time when your baby is usually settled and allow time for feeding or changing.
- Prepare a simple outfit and a backup top; avoid clothing that blends into the light background.
- Keep feeding supplies, wipes and a clean blanket nearby, outside the photo area.
- Check both prints, the face measurement and the photographer’s back-of-photo information before applying.
For appointment preparation and the local visit process, read our newborn passport photo guide for Toronto families. A few calm attempts are more useful than expecting one perfect expression immediately.
Infant Passport Photo Appointments in Toronto and the GTA
Green Day Photography’s newborn and infant passport photo service starts from $100 CAD. We confirm the quote for your address and requested formats before booking.
See our passport photo prices and baby passport photography service in Toronto. Send your baby’s age, your area and when you need the prints so we can confirm availability and travel details.
Infant Passport Photo FAQs
Aim for open, clearly visible eyes. Canada allows some range in newborn facial expressions, but this does not guarantee acceptance of any closed-eye or sleeping-baby photograph. Check the official guidance.
The standard is a neutral expression. Some variation is allowed for newborns, but do not rely on a broad smile being accepted. Aim for a clear, unobstructed face.
Yes, with a commercial photographer attending in person and supplying professional prints. A DIY phone photo or home-printed copy does not meet the published Canadian child passport requirements.
Yes. A newborn applying for a Canadian passport needs their own photographs; a parent’s passport photo cannot be used instead.
A Canadian child passport application requires 2 identical, unaltered prints measuring 50 mm wide by 70 mm high, with a face height of 31–36 mm from chin to crown.
Green Day Photography’s newborn and infant passport photo service starts from $100 CAD. Confirm the quote for your address and any additional formats before booking.
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