Canada veteran's service card photo requirements
The photo rules set by National Defence for the Canada veteran's service card, with the official wording and sources.
Quick answer
What are the Canada veteran's service card photo requirements?
National Defence sets no photo size for the Veteran's Service Card. Form DND 9036-E asks for a quality colour photo showing a full front view of the face and the top of the shoulders, on a plain white or light-coloured background, with a neutral expression, even lighting and no glare or shadows. A printed photo from a mobile device is acceptable if it meets these rules. The online portal asks for a digital photo instead.
The NDI 75 Veteran's Service Card is issued by National Defence to recognize former members of the Canadian Armed Forces who were honourably released, including those who served in the Regular Force, the Primary Reserves, the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS) or the Canadian Rangers. The card does not expire. National Defence stresses that it is not intended as an official identification card and is not needed for Veterans Affairs Canada benefits, provincial health care or priority hiring in the federal public service.
You can apply online through the Veteran's Service Card secure portal, which National Defence strongly recommends because it may speed up your request, or by mail with form DND 9036-E. Applications are not accepted by email. Regular Force members who are releasing have their release centre apply for them, and Reserve Force applications are coordinated by the unit's administration section.
Neither the web page nor the form gives a size in millimetres or pixels. What the February 2026 edition of the form does give is a list of quality rules, and it says plainly that a printed photo from a mobile device is acceptable if it meets them. The online portal's checklist asks for a digital photo along with digital copies of your ID and certificate of service.
Canada veteran's service card photo size and specifications
The requirements as published by National Defence:[1]
| Print size | No size published: the form asks for a quality photo, and printed mobile-device photos are accepted |
|---|---|
| Digital size | Online portal: a digital photo; no pixel size or file limits published |
| Background | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Colour | Colour photos only |
| Photo age | A current photo; no age limit given |
| Print quality | Mail: a printed photo, including a print from a mobile device |
In the official words
Exact wording from the official sources, quoted because the details matter:
passport-like quality photo
Key requirements
- No official size
National Defence publishes no photo dimensions for the card. The web page asks for a passport-like quality photo, and the form for a quality photo that meets its list of requirements.
- Phone photos allowed
Item 19 of form DND 9036-E says a printed photo from a mobile device is acceptable, provided it meets the photo requirements set out on the form.
- Face and shoulders, head straight
The photo shows a full front view of the face and the top of the shoulders. Your head must not tilt to the side, and you look straight into the camera with a neutral expression.
- Light background, even light
Use a plain white or light-coloured background and uniform lighting. Glare and shadows are unacceptable, and the photo must be clear, sharp and in focus.
- Natural appearance
Skin tones must look natural, without make-up that significantly alters your facial features. Your eyes are open and clearly visible, with no red-eye.
- Colour only
The form says colour photos only, so black-and-white prints are not accepted.
Do's and don'ts
Do
- Apply through the secure online portal if you can.
- Stand in front of a plain white or light-coloured wall.
- Face the camera straight on with your shoulders in the frame.
- Light your face evenly to avoid shadows and glare.
- Print a phone photo clearly if you apply by mail.
- Include a copy of government photo ID and proof of service.
Don't
- Do not email your application or photo.
- Do not wear a ball cap or toque.
- Do not wear sunglasses, even prescription ones.
- Do not send a black-and-white photo.
- Do not tilt your head to the side.
- Do not wear make-up that significantly changes your features.
Glasses
Prescription eyeglasses may be worn as long as your eyes are clearly visible. Sunglasses are not allowed, whether or not they have prescription lenses.
Glare is on the form's list of unacceptable faults, so check that your lenses do not reflect the light, and make sure there is no red-eye in the picture.
Headwear and religious dress
Head coverings worn for religious or spiritual reasons are permitted. Any head covering must not cast shadows on your face, and ball caps and toques are not allowed.
Printed and digital photos
By mail, you send a printed photo with form DND 9036-E. The form accepts a print made from a mobile-device photo and sets no size, paper or printing rule beyond its quality list. With it goes a copy of the photo and signature side of one government photo ID, such as a provincial driver's licence or health card, an Aboriginal status card, a passport or an NDI-21 card, plus proof of service.
Online, the portal checklist asks for a digital photo, a digital copy of your government ID and a digital copy of your certificate of service, together with your service, regimental or Social Insurance Number and your year of enrolment. No pixel size, file size or format is published for the photo.
Where to submit the photo
Mail applications go to Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group Headquarters, 60 Moodie Drive, Ottawa ON K1A 0K2, Attention: Veteran's Service Cards (VSC). Keep a copy of your application for your records.
Applications that arrive without supporting documents are put on hold until they are provided. If you cannot find proof of service, National Defence suggests an Access to Information and Privacy request to Library and Archives Canada for a free Proof of Service package. Questions go to the Veteran's Service Card team by email.
How to get your Canada veteran's service card photo
- Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the Canada veteran's service card: plain white or light-coloured background. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
- Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: no official size; phone photos allowed; face and shoulders, head straight; light background, even light.
- Prepare a print or digital file. By mail, you send a printed photo with form DND 9036-E. The form accepts a print made from a mobile-device photo and sets no size, paper or printing rule beyond its quality list.
- Submit the photo with your application. Mail applications go to Canadian Armed Forces Transition Group Headquarters, 60 Moodie Drive, Ottawa ON K1A 0K2, Attention: Veteran's Service Cards (VSC). Keep a copy of your application for your records.
Canada veteran's service card photo FAQ
National Defence does not publish a size. The web page asks for a passport-like quality photo, and form DND 9036-E lists quality rules: colour, a plain white or light-coloured background, a full front view of the face and top of the shoulders, a neutral expression, sharp focus and even lighting.
Yes. The form says a printed photo from a mobile device is acceptable, as long as it meets the listed requirements. For the online portal you provide a digital photo instead of a print.
No. National Defence says that for privacy and security reasons it cannot receive or process applications by email or email attachment. Apply through the secure online portal or by mail.
Prescription glasses are fine if your eyes are clearly visible. Sunglasses are not accepted, even prescription ones, and glare is unacceptable.
Ball caps and toques are not allowed, and no head covering may cast shadows on your face. Head coverings worn for religious or spiritual reasons are permitted.
Yes. Form DND 9036-E says colour photos only, and asks for natural skin tones without make-up that significantly alters facial features.
Not if you are in the Regular Force: your release centre applies for the card on your behalf at or shortly before your first release interview. For Reserve Force members, the unit's administration section coordinates the application, and the card is normally received at the final release interview.
Related photo specifications
Other Canada documents
- Passport photo 50 × 70 mm
- Visa photo 35 × 45 mm
- Secure certificate of indian status photo 50 × 70 mm
- Driver's licence photo
- Permanent resident photo 50 × 70 mm
- Study and work permit photo 35 × 45 mm
- Citizenship photo 50 × 70 mm
- NEXUS card photo
- Permanent resident travel document (PRTD) photo
- Firearms licence photo 45 × 57 mm
- Personnel screening photo 43 × 54 mm
- Security licence photo 50 × 70 mm
- Provincial health card photo
- Quebec health insurance card photo 50 × 70 mm
Other documents nearby
- All Canada photo specifications
- Other documents: photo rules by country
- Photo specifications in North America
Official sources
- National Defence. Veteran's Service Card canada.ca. Checked 1 November 2026.
- National Defence. Veteran's Service Card Application (DND 9036-E) canada.ca. Checked 1 November 2026.
- National Defence. Veteran's Service Card secure online application portal veterans-service-card.canada.ca. Checked 1 November 2026.
Requirements can change, so always confirm with National Defence before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.
Cite this page
"Canada veteran's service card photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/canada/veterans-service-card-photo