Need passport photos and wondering where to go? The short answer: almost any drugstore. CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart all do passport photos. So does the post office. And so does your smartphone. This guide compares every option - by price, speed, quality, and whether they give you a digital copy - so you can pick the best one for your situation.
All Options Compared
| Provider | Price | Speed | Digital? | Walk-in? | Weekend? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVS | $16.99 | 5 x 10 min | No | Yes | Yes |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | 5 x 10 min | No | Yes | Yes |
| Walmart | $7.44 | 10 x 15 min | No | Yes | Yes |
| USPS | $15.00 | 10 x 20 min | No | Some | Sat only |
| AAA | Free* | 10 min | No | Yes | Sat only |
| Costco | ~$5 | DIY kiosk | No | Yes | Yes |
| Photo studio | $10EUR $25 | 15 x 30 min | Some | Varies | Varies |
| DIY + VisaPicPro | $0.35 | 3 min | Yes | At home | Anytime |
*AAA passport photos are free for members only. Membership starts at ~$60/year.
CVS - $16.99
CVS is the most popular choice for passport photos in the US, with over 9,000 locations. Walk in, ask the photo counter for passport photos, and you will be done in under 10 minutes. No appointment needed.
- OK Everywhere, long hours, 7 days a week
- OK Quick (5 x 10 minutes)
- No $16.99 is expensive for two small photos
- No No digital copy provided
For a detailed breakdown of the CVS experience, see our full CVS passport photo guide.
Walgreens - $16.99
Walgreens is essentially the same service as CVS - same price ($16.99), same process, similar hours. With about 8,700 locations, there is likely one within a few miles of you.
- OK Nearly as many locations as CVS
- OK Same quick, walk-in process
- No Same $16.99 price
- No No digital copy
Choose whichever is closer. There is no meaningful quality or price difference between CVS and Walgreens.
Walmart - $7.44
Walmart is the cheapest retail option at $7.44 - less than half the price of CVS or Walgreens. The process is similar: go to the photo center, ask for passport photos, and get them printed on the spot.
- OK Cheapest retail option ($7.44)
- OK Over 4,700 locations
- ~ Slightly longer wait (10 x 15 minutes)
- No Photo quality can be inconsistent
- No No digital copy
Not all Walmart locations have a photo center - check before going. The ones that do are usually in the Walmart Supercenter locations.
USPS (Post Office) - $15.00
If you are applying for your passport at the post office anyway, getting photos there is convenient. USPS charges $15.00 for two photos. Not every post office offers this service - look for locations that accept passport applications.
- OK Convenient if applying at USPS
- OK Over 31,000 locations
- ~ Limited hours (MEUR F, some Saturday)
- No Some locations require appointment
- No No digital copy
AAA - Free (Members Only)
If you have an AAA membership (starting around $60/year), you can get passport photos at any AAA branch for free. This is a great perk if you are already a member for roadside assistance.
- OK Free for members
- OK Good quality - dedicated photo equipment
- ~ Membership required (~$60/year)
- ~ MEUR F + Sat morning only
- No No digital copy
Costco and Target
Costco no longer has a dedicated passport photo service at most locations, but you can use their self-service photo kiosks. Take a compliant photo at home, upload it to Costco's photo service, and print a 4 x 6 (with two 2 x 2 photos) for about $0.17. Or use the in-store kiosk for around $5.
Target previously offered passport photos through their CVS pharmacy locations (inside Target stores). These are priced the same as regular CVS: $16.99.
Local Photo Studios - $10EUR $25
Professional photo studios and some shipping stores (FedEx Office, UPS Store) offer passport photos. The advantage is professional lighting and framing. The downsides are higher prices and less convenience.
- OK Best photo quality (professional lighting)
- OK Some provide digital copies
- ~ May need appointment
- No More expensive ($10EUR $25+)
- No Fewer locations
Free DIY at Home - The Best Option
Total cost: $0.35
Take the photo with your phone, format it free online, print a 4 x 6 at any drugstore. You get both digital and printed photos for a fraction of the retail price.
Here is the process:
- 1 Stand against a white wall with natural light from a window facing you
- 2 Have someone take a photo from about 4 feet away (no selfies)
- 3 Upload to VisaPicPro - select your country
- 4 Auto-crop, background removal, and compliance check happen instantly
- 5 Download the digital file (for online applications) and the 4 x 6 printable layout
- 6 Print the 4 x 6 at any drugstore or Costco kiosk - $0.35
Why this is the best option:
- OK Cheapest: $0.35 total (compared to $7.44EUR $16.99 at stores)
- OK Digital copy included: No store gives you a digital file. You need one for DS-160, USCIS online filing, and the DV Lottery.
- OK Unlimited retakes: Take as many photos as you want until you are happy. At a store, you get one or two tries.
- OK Available 24/7: Do it at midnight if you want.
- OK Works for any country: VisaPicPro supports 50+ countries with the correct dimensions built in.
For a step-by-step walkthrough with photography tips, see our phone passport photo guide and our best passport photo apps comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the cheapest place to get passport photos?
Does CVS or Walgreens do passport photos?
Can I take my own passport photo at home?
Does USPS take passport photos?
Where can I get passport photos on weekends?
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Print Template
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