How your photos should look for a secure status card

How to submit acceptable photos when applying for a secure status card.

SCIS Photo App

You can now take your own photo when applying for a secure status card and submit it straight from your smart phone free of charge using the SCIS Photo App.

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Acceptable photos

Photos can be in colour or black and white and be taken by anyone.

Photos must be:

Attention

  • 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, cultural or medical purposes:
    • the full face must be clearly visible and the head covering must not cast any shadows on the face
  • hair can be worn down

Child photos

For child photos, the same requirements apply.

In addition:

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.

Ways to get your photos taken

You can take your photo:

or

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 full name of the person in the photo
  • the date the photo was taken, not the date the photo was printed
  • guarantor's signature and date signed, if applicable

Learn more about guarantors.

If submitting a photo using the SCIS Photo App

Please note

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.

A guarantor must be present when taking your own photo when applying for a 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

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