You can get a passport photo at CVS, Walgreens, most post offices, FedEx Office, The UPS Store, AAA branches, independent photo studios, or by taking one yourself with a smartphone. Prices run from free (AAA members) to about $18 at the major pharmacies, with the U.S. Postal Service in the middle at $15. Where to get passport photos really comes down to what’s near you, how quickly you need the print, and whether you want someone else to guarantee the result.
Pharmacies: CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart
For most people, a nearby pharmacy is the fastest route. CVS charges $17.99 for two printed passport photos, with additional prints or a digital copy available for a small add-on fee.1CVS. Passport, Visa and ID Photos Walgreens charges $16.99 for two prints and throws in a free digital copy by email.2Walgreens Photo. Passport and Visa Photos Staff at both chains take these photos constantly, and their equipment checks the image against federal sizing rules, so technical rejections are uncommon. Turnaround is typically about 15 minutes.
CVS backs its photos with a money-back guarantee: bring back the rejection notice with your receipt and you get a refund.1CVS. Passport, Visa and ID Photos That’s worth something, since a rejected photo means paying for a new set and losing time on your application.
Walmart works differently. There’s no in-store photo counter for this service. Instead, you upload a passport-ready digital file and pick up prints for about $7.64 at your local store.3Walmart Photo. Print Passport Photo Cheap if you already have a compliant photo, but you’re responsible for the shot itself. Costco and Target no longer offer passport photos.
Post Offices
Many post offices that accept passport applications also take photos on-site for $15.00, which is convenient if you’d rather handle everything in a single visit.4United States Postal Service. Passport Appointments, Renewals, and Photo Services You generally need an appointment, scheduled through the USPS online scheduler, a lobby kiosk, or the retail counter. Some locations keep limited walk-in hours, but during busy travel seasons don’t rely on them.
You can also book a photo-only appointment if you don’t need to submit an application at the same time. USPS locations that offer photo services now provide both hard-copy prints and digital files suitable for online renewal.4United States Postal Service. Passport Appointments, Renewals, and Photo Services
Shipping Centers: FedEx Office and The UPS Store
FedEx Office and The UPS Store both offer walk-in passport photos at most locations, which helps when post office appointments are booked and no pharmacy is nearby. FedEx Office charges around $14.95 for two standard prints. The UPS Store offers online scheduling at more than 3,900 locations, with pricing that varies by franchise.5The UPS Store. Passport and ID Photo Services Both use high-resolution printers and generally accept walk-ins. If you’re mailing your application anyway, a shipping center lets you photo and ship in one stop.
AAA Branches
AAA is the cheapest option if you’re already a member. Many AAA branches offer passport photos free to members, and free for members’ children under 16 as well; non-members pay around $20.6AAA. US Passports and Passport Photos Just remember that AAA doesn’t process passport applications or renewals, so you’ll still need a separate stop at a post office or acceptance facility.
Professional Photography Studios
Independent studios charge more, often somewhere between $15 and $50, and bring better lighting, better cameras, and more patience. The premium makes sense for specific situations: photographing an infant who needs time to settle, accommodating a disability, or simply wanting a photo you can live with for the next decade. A good studio photographer eliminates shadows, positions you correctly, and verifies the shot before printing. Rejection risk is minimal.
Taking Your Own Photo at Home
The State Department explicitly permits a friend or family member to take your passport photo and print it on photo paper.7U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Photos Several smartphone apps walk you through it: they overlay a template on your camera, check head positioning, crop to the right dimensions, and flag shadows or uneven lighting.
Printing is where DIY gets tricky. The final image needs to be on real photo paper at proper resolution. A blurry or pixelated print will be rejected. You can print at home on glossy or matte photo paper, or upload the file to a retailer like Walmart for cheap same-day pickup. Done well, DIY can bring your total under $8, but the quality-control burden is on you. A plain white wall with good, even light makes this workable.
The State Department also offers a free online cropping tool at tsg.phototool.state.gov that helps size and frame your image. One caveat: it’s only for applications submitted in person or by mail. Do not use it for online renewals.8U.S. Department of State. Passport Photo Tool
Digital Photos for Online Renewal
If you’re renewing online, you’ll upload a digital photo rather than mailing prints. The file must be a JPG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF between 54 kilobytes and 10 megabytes, and the online application has a built-in tool for repositioning and cropping after upload.9U.S. Department of State. Uploading a Digital Photo The same appearance rules apply: white background, neutral expression, no glasses, no hats. USPS locations offering photo services can now provide digital files specifically for online renewal, which is worth asking about if you’d rather not wrestle with camera settings.4United States Postal Service. Passport Appointments, Renewals, and Photo Services
What the Photo Has to Look Like
Whichever provider you choose, the photo has to meet federal specs, and a mismatch is the leading reason applications get held up.10U.S. Department of State. Respond to a Passport Letter or Email The photo must be 2 by 2 inches, in color, on matte or glossy photo paper, with your head measuring between 1 and 1⅜ inches from chin to crown. Background: plain white or off-white, no shadows. Face the camera straight on with a neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed. A slight closed-mouth smile is technically fine, but showing teeth will get the photo rejected, so relaxed and neutral is safer.7U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Photos
No eyeglasses. This is a blanket rule with no routine exceptions. Jewelry and facial piercings are fine as long as they don’t obscure your face. Hats and head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons, and even then can’t hide your hairline or cast shadows. Wear ordinary clothing, nothing uniform-like. The photo must have been taken within the last six months.7U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Photos
Kids need their own passports and their own photos. For infants, the State Department will accept a photo where the baby’s eyes aren’t fully open; older children must have eyes open. Nobody else can be in the frame, including a parent’s hand supporting the child’s head.7U.S. Department of State. U.S. Passport Photos For fussy babies, a professional studio or a careful DIY setup at home tends to work better than a pharmacy kiosk.
If Your Photo Gets Rejected
A rejected photo doesn’t kill the application, but it does stall it. The State Department will send a letter or email explaining the problem and asking for a new photo. The application sits until you respond, and the processing clock effectively resets.11U.S. Department of State. Processing Times for U.S. Passports Even a two-week delay can force expedited processing at extra cost if you have travel booked.
The usual culprits are shadows on the face or background, wrong head size, glasses, or a background that isn’t white enough. If you used a retailer with a satisfaction guarantee like CVS, bring back the rejection notice with your receipt for a refund or retake. If you took the photo yourself, read the rejection letter carefully and compare your image against the State Department’s photo examples before resubmitting.10U.S. Department of State. Respond to a Passport Letter or Email