Passport photo costs depend on whether a store takes the picture, whether you upload an already compliant image, and whether you need printed or digital files. This guide compares current listed prices and clearly separates verified national pricing from services that vary by branch.
Quick Price Comparison: All Providers at a Glance
| Provider | Cost | What You Get | Digital Copy? | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VisaPicPro (Online) | Free / $1.99 | 1 standard daily / HD print-ready pack | Yes | Online |
| Walmart Photo (upload) | $7.64 | 2 uploaded 2 x 2 prints | No | Pickup / delivery |
| USPS (Post Office) | $15.00 | Photo service at participating offices | No | Appointment varies |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | 2 store-taken 2 x 2 prints | No | Walk-in, store varies |
| CVS Pharmacy | $17.99 | 2 store-taken 2 x 2 prints | No | Walk-in, store varies |
| AAA / FedEx / other stores | Check locally | Service and quantity vary | Varies | Location-specific |
Key Takeaway
Compare the exact deliverable, not just the headline price. Walmart's listed price applies to uploaded prints, while CVS and Walgreens include staff capture. Digital files and print-ready sheets may cost extra or require a separate service.
CVS Passport Photo Cost: $17.99
CVS Pharmacy is one of the most popular choices for passport photos simply because there is a CVS in many US cities. CVS currently lists two 2 x 2 printed passport photos for $17.99.
CVS Pharmacy
$17.99What's Included
- OK 2 printed passport photos (2 x 2 inches)
- OK Taken by CVS associate
- OK Printed while you wait
- OK Guaranteed to meet US specs
What's NOT Included
- No No digital copy
- No US passport only (no foreign sizes)
- No No retakes without paying again
- No No background removal
What to expect: Walk up to the photo counter, tell the associate you need passport photos, and they will have you stand against a white backdrop. They take 1-2 shots, pick the best one, and print two copies on photo paper. The whole process takes about 10-15 minutes. Quality is generally reliable since CVS uses calibrated photo printers.
Before paying: Confirm whether you need printed or digital files and ask the store about retake and refund terms. CVS lists an optional digital delivery for an additional charge; requirements for non-US documents may differ from the standard 2 x 2 service.
Walgreens Passport Photo Cost: $16.99
Walgreens currently lists two store-taken 2 x 2 passport photos for $16.99. Availability and service timing vary by location, so check the store before visiting.
Walgreens
$16.99Pros
- OK Store staff takes the photo
- OK Two printed 2 x 2 photos
- OK No appointment advertised
Cons
- No Digital file is not listed as included
- No Store hours and availability vary
- No Confirm non-US document sizes first
Walgreens is a convenient store-taken option, but the listed package is primarily for US 2 x 2 prints. Ask about digital delivery, foreign sizes and retake terms before purchase.
Walmart Passport Photo Cost: $7.64 for Uploaded Prints
Walmart Photo currently lists two 2 x 2 passport prints for $7.64 when you upload an already compliant image. This is a print product, so do not assume the price includes staff photography.
Walmart
$7.64Pros
- OK Two printed 2 x 2 photos
- OK Pickup or home-delivery options
- OK Useful when your digital image is already compliant
Cons
- No Upload must already meet photo rules
- No Not a listed digital-file package
- No Pickup availability varies by location
Important: Use Walmart's product page to confirm the live price and pickup location. If you need someone to take the photo, check that service separately.
AAA Passport Photo Cost: Check Your Club
AAA passport-photo service, eligibility and pricing are controlled by regional clubs and can differ by membership tier and branch. Check your club's official site or call the branch before visiting; do not rely on a nationwide fixed-price claim.
Questions to ask the branch
- Is passport photography currently available at this location?
- Does my membership tier include a discount?
- How many prints are included, and is a digital copy available?
USPS Post Office Passport Photo Cost: $15.00
The US Postal Service offers passport photos at many (but not all) post office locations for $15.00. The biggest advantage is convenience: if you are applying for a passport at a Passport Acceptance Facility (which is often inside a post office), you can get your photos and submit your application in the same trip.
USPS Post Office
$15.00Pros
- OK Submit application at same location
- OK Staff familiar with passport requirements
- OK Government service - reliable quality
Cons
- No Not all post offices offer photos
- No May require appointment
- No Longer wait times during peak season
- No No digital copy
How to find a participating post office: Go to usps.com/manage/verify.htm and search for locations that offer "Passport Photo" services. You can also call your local post office. Passport photo service hours may be different from regular postal hours - many only offer photos during specific windows.
FedEx Office Passport Photos: Check Locally
FedEx Office does not present a clear nationwide passport-photo price on its current official site. Service availability, quantity and price may vary, so call the exact location and confirm the deliverables before travelling.
Confirm before visiting
Ask whether the location takes passport photos, the live price, the number of prints, accepted document sizes and whether a digital file is included.
Other Passport Photo Options
Local photo studios, shipping stores, pharmacies and membership clubs may offer passport photos, but pricing and availability are location-specific. Compare the number of prints, staff capture, digital-file access, accepted document sizes and retake policy before choosing.
Prepare and Print Your Photo at Home
You can take your own photo when the issuing authority allows it, but acceptance still depends on the original image, lighting, pose, crop and final print quality. VisaPicPro provides one standard single-photo download per day; HD output and print-ready sheets require a paid plan.
Take the Photo with Your Phone
Use the rear camera. Stand 4 feet from a white wall. Have someone else hold the phone at your eye level. Make sure the room is well-lit with natural daylight - no harsh overhead fluorescent lights. See our complete phone photo guide.
Process It with VisaPicPro
Go to VisaPicPro.com, select your country, and upload the photo. The tool automatically detects your face, removes the background, ensures correct head positioning, and resizes to the exact required dimensions. Processing happens entirely in your browser - your photo never leaves your device.
Choose Standard or Print-Ready Output
The free plan includes one standard single-photo download per day. The $1.99 one-time pack adds an HD single photo and print-ready sheet; monthly and lifetime plans cover repeated use.
Print at Home or a Local Photo Service
Use photo-quality paper and print at 100% scale without fit-to-page resizing. Local print prices vary, so check the service before ordering. See our complete printing guide.
VisaPicPro Download Options
But does the State Department actually accept DIY photos? Yes. The US State Department does not require photos to be taken by a professional or at a specific establishment. Their guidelines state: "You may take the photo yourself or have someone take the photo for you." The only thing that matters is that the final photo meets the published specifications for size, background, lighting, and composition.
Which Option Should You Choose?
Here are our recommendations based on your situation:
Best for Online Preparation: VisaPicPro
Use the free daily standard download when a single digital file is enough, or the $1.99 one-time pack for HD output and a print-ready sheet. Final acceptance depends on the original photo and issuing authority's rules.
Best for AAA Members: Check Your Regional Club
Benefits and prices vary by AAA club, membership tier and branch. Verify service availability and the current member price locally.
Best Verified Print Price: Walmart ($7.64)
This listed price is for two prints from an uploaded, already compliant image. Confirm pickup availability and do not treat it as a staff-photography price.
Best for Same-Day Application: USPS Post Office ($15)
If you are applying for a passport in-person at a Passport Acceptance Facility, getting your photos at the same post office saves you a separate trip. The extra convenience is worth the $15.
Family Savings Tip
If you are getting passport photos for a family of four, the listed photo package for four people at CVS would be 4 $17.99 = $71.96 before optional digital copies. Compare that total with preparing each compliant image online and paying only for the output and local printing you actually need.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a passport photo cost at CVS?
How much do AAA passport photos cost?
What is the cheapest place to get passport photos?
Can I take my own passport photo at home?
How much does a passport photo cost at Walgreens?
Does the post office take passport photos?
How much does FedEx charge for passport photos?
Prepare the File You Actually Need
Use one standard daily download, or unlock HD and a print-ready sheet with the $1.99 one-time pack.
Prepare Passport PhotoRelated Articles
Digital Passport Photo Guide
Requirements, free creation tools, and how to submit digital photos.
Passport Photo Size by Country
Complete size chart in pixels, cm, and inches for 50+ countries.
Take a Passport Photo with Your Phone
Step-by-step guide to taking a good passport photo at home.
How to Print Passport Photos at Home
Print on 4 x 6 paper for under $0.50 with correct DPI settings.