Where Should You Get a Passport Photo?
You can get a passport photo at a post office or other acceptance facility, a pharmacy, a retail photo center, a shipping store, or a local photography business. You can also take the photo at home when you can meet every State Department requirement.
Choose based on price, location, whether you need printed or digital files, and whether you want the photo taken at the same place where you submit Form DS-11.
Unacceptable photos are the most common reason the State Department places passport applications on hold. Check the photo before submitting it, even when a store employee took it.
✈️ Need Your Passport Fast?
Save 10% on VIP expedited courier service with processing as fast as 2–4 business days. For a more affordable option, choose the popular Priority Service with 7–9 business day processing. Check current available processing speeds.
Choose Based on How You Are Applying
Applying in person with Form DS-11: An acceptance facility that offers photos can save you a separate trip.
Renewing by mail: A pharmacy, retail photo center, shipping store, or local photographer can provide the required printed photo.
Renewing online: You need an original digital image that meets the online-upload requirements. A pair of printed photos cannot be uploaded.
Taking the photo at home: Use an original, unedited image with correct lighting, framing, background, resolution, and print quality.
Passport Photo Price Comparison
| Provider | Advertised Price | What You Receive | Before You Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart Photo | $7.64 | Two printed 2-by-2-inch photos | Walmart accepts uploaded photos for printing. Confirm whether the selected Photo Center also has an associate available to take the photo. |
| USPS | $15.00 | A printed passport photo taken at the Post Office | Photo service is available only at participating locations. |
| FedEx Office | $15.95 | Two printed photos or a digital copy on a USB drive | Confirm photo service at the selected location. |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | Two printed photos and an emailed digital copy | Available without an appointment at most participating stores. |
| CVS | $17.99 | Two printed photos | A digital copy costs extra and is available at select stores. |
| The UPS Store | Varies | Passport and identification photos at participating stores | Stores are independently owned. Ask the location for its current price and availability. |
| AAA | Free or discounted for some members | Printed passport photos at participating full-service branches | Benefits vary by regional AAA club and membership tier. Confirm the price, number of free sets, and branch availability. |
Prices checked in July 2026. Confirm the current price and service availability with the specific location before visiting.
The video shows our in-person comparison of national passport-photo providers. The price table above uses current advertised prices checked in July 2026.
Passport Acceptance Facilities
Some post offices, libraries, clerks of court, and other passport acceptance facilities take photos when you submit Form DS-11. This allows you to complete the photo and application appointment in one visit.
Photo service is not available at every acceptance facility. Check the facility listing and appointment options before going.
Find a passport acceptance facility near you, or review how to schedule a passport appointment.
Pharmacies and Retail Photo Centers
CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart provide passport-photo services at participating locations. Walgreens includes an emailed digital copy with its current package. CVS charges separately for a digital file. Walmart has the lowest advertised print price among the national providers in this comparison.
Walmart's online service prints an uploaded image. Some Photo Centers also have an associate who can take the photo, but availability varies. Confirm the service you need before visiting.
FedEx Office and The UPS Store
FedEx Office and participating The UPS Store locations take passport and identification photos. These stores can also provide printing, copying, and trackable mailing services.
FedEx Office publishes a nationwide advertised price. The UPS Store does not publish one nationwide passport-photo price because each store is independently owned.
AAA Branches
Some full-service AAA branches take passport photos. Free photos are available to some members, but the benefit is not the same nationwide. Depending on the regional AAA club and membership tier, members may receive a free set, a limited number of free sets each year, or a discounted price.
Use AAA's local club finder, then confirm the passport-photo benefit and branch availability before visiting.
Local Photography Studios
A local photographer can be useful for infant photos, disability accommodations, foreign visa dimensions, or another photo that requires more setup than a retail counter provides.
Ask whether the studio regularly produces U.S. passport photos and whether the quoted price includes printed and digital copies.
How to Take a Passport Photo at Home
You can take the photo at home, but the image and print must meet the same requirements as a photo taken by a commercial provider.
- Use a color photo taken within the last six months.
- Face the camera directly with your head level and centered.
- Keep both eyes open and visible.
- Use a neutral expression or a natural smile with your mouth closed.
- Use a plain white or off-white background without shadows, texture, lines, or objects.
- Remove eyeglasses, sunglasses, headphones, hats, and face coverings unless a documented religious or medical exception applies.
- Do not use filters, retouching, background replacement, artificial intelligence, or other digital changes.
- For a paper application, print one 2-by-2-inch photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.
Paper and online applications use different photo formats. Paper applications require a printed 2-by-2-inch photo. Online renewal requires a digital image uploaded from your device.
Review our detailed guide to taking a passport photo at home and the complete passport photo requirements.
✈️ Need Your Passport Fast?
Save 10% on VIP expedited courier service with processing as fast as 2–4 business days. For a more affordable option, choose the popular Priority Service with 7–9 business day processing. Check current available processing speeds.
Photo Problems That Can Put an Application on Hold
- The photo is more than six months old.
- The image is blurry, grainy, pixelated, underexposed, or overexposed.
- The background is not plain white or off-white.
- Shadows appear on the face or background.
- The head is tilted, turned, too large, or too small.
- The mouth is open or the expression is exaggerated.
- Eyeglasses or another prohibited item is visible.
- The image was digitally edited, filtered, stretched, compressed, or altered with artificial intelligence.
- The printed photo is the wrong size or printed on unsuitable paper.
Commercial photo service does not transfer responsibility for the photo to the provider. The applicant should still compare the finished image with the State Department requirements before submitting it.
Some private passport courier services review passport photos as part of an application-support package. Confirm whether photo review or photo service is included before paying.
Passport Photo Services by City
More Passport Photo Information
- Passport Photo FAQ
- Passport Photo Rejection Reasons
- What to Wear for a Passport Photo
- How to Take a Passport Photo at Home
Official sources: See the State Department's current paper passport photo requirements and online-renewal photo instructions.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Our role: U.S. Passport Service Guide compares published provider prices and services. Prices, store participation, membership benefits, and digital-file options can change. Confirm the details with the selected location before visiting.
Compare Your Fast Passport Options
If routine service is too slow, you may need an agency appointment or help from a registered courier. Compare your options before you decide.
