Getting a passport photo for a newborn can feel difficult, especially when your baby cannot sit upright, follow directions or keep the same expression for more than a few seconds. The good news is that the Government of Canada allows some flexibility for newborn expressions while still requiring the photograph to meet strict size, lighting, background and printing standards.
This guide explains the current Canadian newborn passport photo requirements, how to prepare your baby and when an at-home appointment may be the easiest option for families in Toronto and the GTA.
Important: Canadian passport photos must be taken in person by a commercial photographer or photo studio and professionally printed. A photo taken by a parent on a phone and printed at home does not meet the published requirements. Always confirm the latest details on the official Government of Canada passport photo page.
Canadian Newborn Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance
- Submit 2 identical and unaltered printed photos.
- Each print must measure 50 mm wide by 70 mm high.
- The face must measure 31 mm to 36 mm from the chin to the crown of the head.
- The photo must be clear, sharp and in focus, with natural skin tone.
- Lighting must be even, without shadows, glare or flash reflections.
- The background must be plain white or light-coloured and clearly separated from the baby.
- The baby must appear alone. A parent’s hands, the baby’s hands and supporting objects cannot appear in the final photo.
- The face and shoulders must be centred and squared toward the camera.
- The photograph must be taken within 6 months of the application.
- The image cannot be retouched, filtered, AI-generated or digitally altered.
The passport authority makes the final acceptance decision. A professional photographer can carefully follow the published specifications, but no photographer can override that decision.
What Size Is a Newborn Passport Photo in Canada?
A newborn uses the same printed Canadian passport photo dimensions as an adult:
- Photo size: 50 mm × 70 mm (2 inches × 2¾ inches)
- Face height: 31 mm to 36 mm from chin to crown
Incorrect head size, poor centring and missing shoulder space are common problems. The photographer should establish the correct camera distance and framing when the photograph is captured rather than relying on digital alterations afterwards.
Do a Newborn’s Eyes Have to Be Open?
The standard expression guidance calls for open, clearly visible eyes, a closed mouth and a neutral expression. However, the Government of Canada recognizes that it is difficult to obtain a perfect neutral expression from a newborn and allows some range in infant expressions.
We still aim for the clearest possible view of the baby’s face and eyes. Hair, hats, pacifiers, blankets or hands must not cover the facial features. If your baby cries, sleeps or turns their head, several attempts and short calming breaks may be needed.
For practical preparation advice, see our guide to a crying baby passport photo session.
Can a Newborn Be Photographed in a Car Seat?
Yes. The official newborn guidance allows a baby to be photographed in a car seat when a plain white blanket is placed over the seat behind the baby’s head. The setup must not create shadows around the ears, across the face or shoulders, or on the background.
A parent may soothe and safely position the baby between frames, but neither the parent nor their hands can appear in the final photograph. Safety always comes before speed, and a newborn should never be placed in an unstable position for a photo.
How to Prepare Your Baby for the Appointment
- Choose a calm time. When possible, book near a naturally settled part of your baby’s day.
- Feed and change your baby first. Keep feeding and changing supplies nearby in case a break is needed.
- Use a simple, non-white outfit. Light clothing can blend into the background. Avoid hoods, oversized collars, hats and headbands.
- Keep the face clear. Remove pacifiers and anything that covers part of the head or face before the photograph.
- Allow time. Newborn sessions may require several frames, soothing breaks or a few minutes for the baby to settle.
- Have a clean white blanket available. It may be useful for an approved car-seat setup or a safe floor-level setup selected by the photographer.
Common Reasons Baby Passport Photos Are Rejected
- Visible hands, fingers, toys, pacifiers or supports
- A tilted or turned head
- Part of the face hidden by hair, clothing or a blanket
- Shadows around the ears, face, shoulders or background
- Incorrect print dimensions or face measurement
- Blur caused by movement
- A background without enough contrast from the baby’s clothing
- Digital retouching, background replacement, filters or AI alterations
- Home printing or unsuitable photo paper
- Missing photographer information on the back of the required print
Our longer Canadian passport photo requirements guide explains the general rules for adults and children.
At-Home Newborn Passport Photo Service in Toronto
An at-home appointment does not mean taking a DIY phone photo. It means a commercial photographer brings a compact professional setup to your home, photographs your baby in person and prepares the required professional prints.
This can be especially helpful during the first weeks after birth because your baby remains in a familiar environment and the session can pause for feeding, soothing or a diaper change. We provide mobile newborn and infant passport photo appointments across Toronto, North York, Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, Scarborough and other GTA communities, subject to availability and travel details.
What Happens During the Visit?
- We check the document type, baby’s age and the required Canadian photo format.
- We arrange a safe photo area with suitable lighting and a plain light background.
- We take several frames while working around your baby’s comfort and natural rhythm.
- We select the strongest compliant frame without changing your baby’s appearance or digitally replacing the background.
- We prepare the required professional prints and add the photographer’s studio details and date to the back as required.
For a child passport application, the guarantor—not the photographer—writes the required certification and signs one photograph according to the application instructions.
Pricing and Booking
Newborn and infant passport photo service starts from $100. The final price depends on the address, travel distance, number of people and any additional photo formats required. Review our passport photo pricing or send your location for an exact quote before booking.
For complete service details, visit our infant and newborn passport photo service in Toronto or our main at-home passport photo service.
What Must Be Written on the Back of the Photo?
The photographer must write or stamp the date the photograph was taken and the name and complete address of the studio on the back of one photo. The child’s guarantor must then write the required certification statement and sign that photograph. Follow the current child passport application instructions carefully because the photographer and guarantor have different responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take my newborn’s Canadian passport photo at home?
The session can take place at your home, but the photograph must be taken in person by a commercial photographer or photo studio and professionally printed. A parent’s DIY phone photo or home-printed photograph does not meet the published Canadian passport requirements.
What size is a Canadian newborn passport photo?
The finished print must be 50 mm wide by 70 mm high. The baby’s face must measure between 31 mm and 36 mm from chin to crown.
Does a newborn need a perfectly neutral expression?
Newborns are allowed some range of facial expressions. The photographer should still aim for the clearest possible view of the face and eyes, without anything covering the facial features.
Can my baby be photographed in a car seat?
Yes. A newborn may be photographed in a car seat with a white blanket placed behind the head, provided there are no shadows around the ears, on the face or shoulders, or in the background.
Can the photographer retouch the face or replace the background?
No. Canadian passport photos must remain unaltered. Retouching, filters, AI edits, background replacement and other digital changes are not accepted.
How many printed photos are required?
A Canadian child passport application requires 2 identical and unaltered printed photographs. Check the current application instructions before submitting.
Ready to make the process easier? Tell us your baby’s age, your location and when you need the printed photos. We will confirm availability, travel details and the best appointment time for your family.
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