Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) Photo in the US

45 × 57 mm · white background · RCMP Canadian Firearms Program

$8.99 digital file

Take my Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo

Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy

Rules last checked against RCMP Canadian Firearms Program on 12 October 2026.

About this photo

The RCMP Canadian Firearms Program asks for a Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo of 45 by 57 mm. If you apply online (RCMP online firearms licence application), the file must be as a JPEG, no larger than 6 MB. You can take it at home on a phone: have someone stand a couple of metres away at eye level rather than holding the phone yourself. Head height from chin to crown is 30 to 36 mm. Taken no more than 12 months before you apply. The background must be plain white or light-coloured, evenly lit and free of shadows. Send us any clear picture and you get a Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo at these measurements, background included, checked before checkout.

Photo requirements

Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo requirements
Photo size	45 × 57 mm
Digital file	JPEG, up to 5.7 MB, for RCMP online firearms licence application
Background	white, also accepted: light-coloured
Head size	53–63% of the photo height (30–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Glasses	Allowed. Eyes clearly visible. No sunglasses or tinted glasses, including tinted prescription lenses.
Head coverings	Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face must be clearly visible.
Head position	Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rules	45 mm wide by 57 mm high; head at least 30 mm; Taken no more than 12 months before you apply; Plain white or light-coloured background; Neutral expression, eyes open, not smiling; Original photo, not altered in any way; guarantor signs the back of a printed photo

Do

Illustration of an accepted photo: neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera on a plain background — Neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera

Don't

Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is smiling with teeth showing — No smiling with teeth showing

Illustration of a rejected photo: light reflects off the glasses and hides the eyes — No glare on glasses

Illustration of a rejected photo: a shadow falls across the face and background — No shadows on the face or background

Illustration of a rejected photo: the head is tilted to one side — Do not tilt your head

How it works

1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
3. Download and use it
Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Questions about Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photos

What size is a Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo?

Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photos are 45 × 57 mm. The head should fill 53–63% of the photo height (30–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).

What background does a Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo need?

A plain white background (light-coloured is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.

Can I wear glasses in a Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo?

Yes. Eyes clearly visible. No sunglasses or tinted glasses, including tinted prescription lenses.

Can I smile in a Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo?

No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.

Can I wear a head covering?

Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face must be clearly visible.

Can I take a Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo at home?

Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by RCMP Canadian Firearms Program. PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.

What file does the online application need?

A digital photo file: JPEG, up to 5.7 MB, for RCMP online firearms licence application. Your download is prepared to these settings.

How much does a Canadian Firearms Licence (PAL) photo cost in the US?

$8.99 for the digital file, paid once. It includes a print-at-home sheet you can print at any photo shop.

What if something is wrong with my photo?

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Official source: RCMP Canadian Firearms Program

Read the rules on the authority's website: RCMP Canadian Firearms Program (rcmp.ca).