What are the photo requirements
Find out how to submit acceptable photos when applying for a secure status card.
You can now take your own photo when applying for a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), or secure status card, and submit it straight from your smart phone free of charge using the SCIS Photo App.
On this page
What is considered an acceptable photo
If you are applying for a secure status card or need to renew or replace one, you must submit acceptable photos.
Acceptable photos can be in colour or black and white and can be taken by anyone but must be:
- clear, sharp and in focus
- taken with a neutral facial expression, that is, eyes open and clearly visible, mouth closed
- taken with uniform lighting, without shadows, glare or flash reflections
- taken straight on, with face and shoulders centered and squared to the camera
- taken in front of a plain white or light-coloured background, with a clear difference between the face and the background
- must represent natural skin tones
- must be originals and not taken from an existing photo
- taken within no more than 12 months before the date you submit the application and reflect applicant's current appearance
Also:
- prescription eyeglasses may be worn as long as the eyes are clearly visible and there is no reflection or glare on the eyeglasses
- sunglasses and tinted eyeglasses are unacceptable
- photos with the red-eye effect or red-eye alterations are unacceptable
- head coverings are not acceptable, unless worn for religious beliefs or medical reasons:
- the full face must be clearly visible and the head covering must not cast any shadows on the face
- hair can be worn down
What about child photos
For child photos, the same specifications as those indicated under What is considered an acceptable photo apply.
Also,
- photos must show the child's head and shoulders only:
- parent's or child's hands must not appear in the photo
For newborns, the photo may be taken while the child is sitting in a car seat, as long as a white blanket is placed over the seat behind the child's head.
- There must be no shadows across the face or shoulders, around the ears or in the background.
- Minor variations in a neutral expression of a newborn are recognized.
How to submit your photos
If submitting printed photos with your application
You must provide 2 identical and unaltered Canadian passport-style photos that meet these specifications:
- 50 mm wide x 70 mm high (2 inches wide x 2 3/4 inches high) in size
- length of the face must be between 31 mm (1 1/4 inches) and 36 mm (1 7/16 inches) from chin to natural top of head
- printed on plain, high-quality photographic paper
You must provide on the back of one of the photos:
- the name and complete address of the photographer or studio
- the date the photo was taken, not the date the photo was printed
Your guarantor must sign and date the back of one of the photos and clearly write: "This is a true likeness of [name of adult applicant or name of child or dependent adult]".
If submitting a photo using the SCIS Photo App
The SCIS Photo App can only be used to submit photos when applying for a Secure Certificate of Indian Status. It cannot be used to submit photos to apply for a Certificate of Indian Status.
You can now take your own photo when applying for a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS), or secure status card, and submit it with your guarantor's name, email address and signature straight from your smartphone using the SCIS Photo App:
- Visit Google Play or the App Store to download the app free of charge
- Follow on-screen instructions
- No personal information is stored in the SCIS Photo App
- Collection, use and disclosure of personal information are in accordance with the Privacy Act