A　novel　model　matching　method　based　on　genetic　algorithm　is　presented　in　this　paper　for　3D　face　reconstruction.　Having　constructed　the　morphable　model,　genetic　algorithm　is　proposed　to　tackle　model　matching　problem.　Multi-lights　illumination　model　is　developed　to　fit　for　more　complex　conditions.　New　model　matching　method　based　on　genetic　algorithm　is　independent　from　initial　values　and　more　robust　than　stochastic　gradient　descent　method.　Crossover　and　mutation　probability　are　regulated　during　optimization　process　to　improve　precision　and　convergence　speed　of　the　algorithm.　Multi-lights　illumination　model　improves　the　stability　of　3D　face　reconstruction　and　ability　to　evaluate　illumination　conditions　of　input　facial　images.　Experimental　results　show　the　proposed　method　has　good　performance　on　3D　face　reconstruction.　©　2006　IEEE.