Where To Get Your Baby’s Passport Photos Taken In Toronto’s East End
Before you can embark on any international travel with your tiny human, you need to get their passport sorted out – sometimes rather quickly in those overwhelming early days of first-time parenting.
One of the hottest topics of conversation among parents at East End Mom Friends Playgroups is travel.
There’s a sweet spot between the newborn stage and the toddler stage that is perfect for travelling abroad on vacation or to visit family. There’s nothing quite like the joy of introducing your baby to new places and creating those early family memories together. Whether it’s a visit to see grandparents, a sunny beach vacation, or an adventure abroad, travelling with your baby can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
But before you can embark on these wonderful journeys, you need to get your baby’s passport sorted out – sometimes rather quickly in those overwhelming early days of first-time parenting. The first step in the application process is getting a proper passport photo for your little one, and that's where things can get a bit tricky.
Applying for a baby’s passport in Canada involves a few key steps. First, you'll need proof of your baby’s Canadian citizenship, such as a birth certificate or citizenship certificate. You’ll also need to provide proof of parentage and identity, like your own passport or driver's licence. Two identical passport photos of your baby, taken according to specific guidelines, are essential as well. These guidelines ensure that the photos meet international travel standards, which can be quite strict and difficult to achieve with a squirmy, floppy, screaming baby.
So, what does a compliant passport photo look like for a baby? The photo must be clear and in focus, with a plain white or light-coloured background. Your baby’s head should be centred and occupy a certain size within the frame. Eyes must be open and visible, looking straight at the camera, with a neutral expression – no smiling or crying. The mouth should be closed, and both ears should be visible. Hats, headbands, or other accessories are not allowed, unless for religious reasons. The photo should show the baby’s entire head and shoulders, with no shadows, glare, or red-eye.
Additionally, you’ll need a guarantor – someone who has known you personally for at least two years and holds a valid Canadian passport – to sign your application. (Your child’s other parent can be the guarantor.) Finally, there’s the application form itself, which needs to be filled out meticulously.
Finding a place that can take a compliant photo of your baby is crucial, and that’s why it’s one of the most frequently asked questions in the East End Mom Friends community. Here you’ll find the most-recommended places to get your child’s passport photo taken in the east end of Toronto.
East end moms recommend: Places to get your baby’s passport photos taken
De Arts
Neighbourhood: East Leslieville / Little India / Gerrard India Bazaar
Main intersection: Coxwell Ave and Gerrard St E
Address: 300 Coxwell Ave
Opened in 1985, De Arts is a Leslieville/Little India institution. This store is a fast and efficient place to take your baby’s passport photos. They have a Bumbo seat for the littlest bubs who aren’t sitting up on their own yet. Mom friends recommend calling ahead to make sure the photographer is available when you plan to go. Reviews say photos cost $14.99.
Still Images
Neighbourhood: The Beaches
Main intersection: Woodbine Ave and Queen St E
Address: 2142A Queen St E
Still Images is a women-owned photo printing and framing shop that also does passport photos for babies. Mom friends report taking babies as young as eight days old and having a positive experience. They also have a Bumbo seat. Their website says they are dog friendly, so don’t be afraid to take along your fur baby too.
Divine Photography
Neighbourhood: East Danforth / Little Bangladesh
Main intersection: Victoria Park Ave and Danforth Ave
Address: 2920 Danforth Ave
Divine Photography is an East Danforth photography studio that takes all kinds of ID photos, including baby passport photos. Mom friends report say they also have a Bumbo seat for babies who need a bit of extra support to stay seated while their photos are snapped.
Image Master Photo Studio
Neighbourhood: East Danforth
Main intersection: Woodbine Ave and Danforth Ave
Address: 2141 Danforth Ave
Image Master Photo is a photography studio and lab that offers passport photos. Mom friends say the photographer is professional and patient, taking as much time as is needed to capture the perfect passport photo.
Staples at Gerrard Square Shopping Centre
Neighbourhood: Leslieville
Main intersection: Pape Ave and Gerrard St E
Address: 1000 Gerrard St E Unit DD16
Mom friends recommend this Staples location because it’s just down the hall from the Gerrard Square Service Canada office where you can submit your baby’s passport application. It’s important to note that this Service Canada location only offers delivery by mail, so if you need urgent, express, or standard pick-up, you may want to find another location.
UPS Store Queen East
Neighbourhood: The Beaches
Main intersection: Woodbine Ave/Victoria Park Ave and Queen St E
Address: 2255B Queen St E
We love creative photographers! One mom friend said they took the backdrop down and laid it on the floor so she could lay her little one on it and then the photographer took the photos from overhead. Genius move for the babes who can’t hold their heads up yet.
Shoppers Drug Mart - Pape & Danforth
Neighbourhood: Greektown
Main intersection: Pape Ave and Danforth Ave
Address: 755 Danforth Ave
While not all Shoppers Drug Mart stores offer passport photos, the Pape and Danforth location does…sometimes. Mom friends report that it’s hit or miss depending on which staff members are working and whether they have the skills to take pics of little ones, so you may want to inquire about the best days and times to go in for your baby’s passport photos to avoid making an unnecessary trip.
