Where to Get a Passport Photo Taken

Getting yours passport photo right - including the pose, background, position, and a neutral facial expression - is critical. More applications are delayed for issues with passport photos than any other problem.

There are many different locations where you can get a passport photo but not all them get it right. We visited 7 different passport photo services and compared them. Check out the video below to discover which one we recommend.

Where to Get a Passport Photo Taken

You can get a passport photo taken at various convenient locations. There are literally tens of thousands of locations available so you should have no problem finding a place to take a passport photo near you.

• Passport Application Acceptance Facilities: Some facilities, such as post offices, offer photo services when you apply for a passport.
• Pharmacies & Retail Stores: Popular stores like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart provide passport photo services.
• Shipping Centers: Both FedEx and UPS stores offer passport photo services at select locations.
• Professional Photography Studios: Though more expensive, professional studios also offer passport photos.
• Take Your Own Passport Photo: Follow guidelines to take a photo at home, ensuring it meets official requirements like white background, neutral expression, and no eyeglasses.

Cost of Passport Photos

The price of a passport photo ranges in price from about $7 to $17, depending on the store or facility where you have it taken and how many photos you have printed.

You will typically pay the most at passport offices that offer this service. However, it may be worth the additional cost for the convenience of getting your passport picture taken at the same location where you are applying for a new passport.

Prices* vary by location:

• FedEx Office: $14.95
• UPS Store: $14.99
• CVS Photo: $16.99
• Walgreens: $16.99
• Walmart: $7.64
• USPS: $15.00

*Prices of passport photos at time of publication.

Ensure your photo follows all U.S. Department of State guidelines to avoid delays.

This article This article provides information about getting a passport photo taken at each of the locations listed above. We also include a price comparison table and some tips for ensuring you get your passport photo right.

Worried about costs? We have included a price comparison table as well. This way you can find the very cheapest places and best places to get your passport photos.

The Best Places to Get a Passport Photo

In our over 20 years of helping readers with their passport questions, one that we get asked the most is:

The photograph step of the passport application process doesn't have to be stressful. There are probably several places near where you live where you can get a passport picture today. Here is a list of the top places where you can get an acceptable photo that meets all the official requirements.

U.S. Passport Offices

Many passport application acceptance facilities also offer passport photo service. Your local post office is usually a good bet. It's particularly convenient since it allows you to do everything in one location: you can pay to get your picture taken and immediately have the application adjudicated and sent off for processing. If you want to button up your passport application process in a hurry, this is a great option.

Be sure to call and ask about photo services at the passport office where you want to apply. Not every passport acceptance facility will take photos for you. Having passport photos taken usually needs to be set up through the appointment process.

You can learn how to schedule an online appointment here.

Pharmacies & Retail Stores

Pharmacy and retail stores are a great option for getting passport photos. Popular pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens offer affordable options. Many Walmart locations also offer this service in store or online.

You should have no problem finding one of these stores near you. Like with shipping centers, it is a good idea to call ahead to be sure they are able to help with your pictures and avoid any inconvenience when you arrive.

Shipping Centers

Both FedEx Office and UPS stores offer customers passport photo services. There are thousands of FedEx and UPS locations across the country, making them one of the most convenient places to get your photo taken at an affordable cost.

However, know that only some FedEx and UPS locations have passport photo availability. Be sure to call and ask about this service before visiting your nearest location in person.

Professional Photography Studios

Very few applicants have passport photos taken at a professional photography studio. Studio sessions can be expensive. Also, many studios are reluctant to book time with clients who only want one photo. For this reason, few studios offer this service. Those that do usually charge more than you would pay at the locations listed above.

Sure, it is important to send a good-quality photo with your passport application. But this level of professional camerawork is unnecessary; especially with other, more cost-effective options available. If you are concerned about costs, our advice is to go with another, cheap alternative. There is no need to pay a premium for passport photos!

Registered Passport Expediters

If you need a passport in 2 weeks or less, a registered passport expediter can help. Instead of traveling to one of the 26 regional agencies in person, a passport expediting service can submit the application for you.

Some expediters offer customers passport photos as part of their services. Be sure to ask when you apply for expediting.

For those that don't (or if you use an expediting service that is not located near you), any of the options listed below would work. You just need to include your new passport photos when sending your application materials to the expediter.

Take & Print Your Photos at Home

You can take and print a passport photo at home, but you must follow some basic rules set by the U.S. Department of State for having your passport photo taken:

1. Photos must be in full color with a plain white or off-white background.
2. The photo must be recent, taken in the last 6 months.
3. The image of your face must be clear (no filters, no editing).
4. No exaggerated smile.
5. No eyeglasses
6. No selfies! You must either have someone else take your picture or be able to set up your camera to take the photo for you.
7. No other people may be visible in your photos. This applies to applicants of any age, including children.
8. No hat or head covering. If you wear a hat or head covering for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that verifies that the head covering in your photo is part of traditional, religious attire you always wear when in public.

Once you have followed these guidelines and have a photo ready, you need to be sure it is the correct size. You can use our online Photo Tool, which allows you to upload your photo, crop it to the correct size. It also provides approved examples from real passports for you to compare to your own photo. Using this tool may give you a better chance of having your DIY passport photo accepted.

Know that passport photos must be printed on photo-quality paper. They must also be in their original state. This means you can't touch up your photo or put it through any drastic scaling before printing it.

This is important if you are going the DIY route for your picture. While convenient, both the camera you use to take the photo and the device you use to print it must be capable of producing high-quality images on glossy photo quality paper. For more, review our guide on taking passport photos with a digital camera.

If you can't take and print high-resolution photos, do not take the chance. Visit one of the locations we have mentioned and be sure your photo is perfect.

Remember, submitting passport photos that don't meet the necessary requirements means you won't get a passport.

Note: improper passport photo is one of the top causes of delays and denials in the passport application process.

Where NOT to Get a Passport Photo

There are some places that you should avoid if you want your passport photos and application to be accepted without delay. There are specific requirements for the size and composition of an acceptable picture. It takes an attention to detail that not all photography options can guarantee. Here our some of our best tips for where not to get photos for passports.

• Don't try to take passport photos in a photo booth. Even though photo booths are hard to come by these days, you need to know that this type of photo is never acceptable. Not only do these booths seldom give you the option to print two photos that are identical, they are unlikely to meet the specific size and color requirements for usable passport photos.
• Stay away from old photos stored on your computer or cell phone. As a rule, passport photos must be recent (taken within the last 6 months). There is also a good chance that pictures you have on your computer would need to be edited. Again, this is not allowed.
• Selfies are not allowed, either. Even though you may think that you have taken a photo at a good enough angle, you didn't. No selfie stick or phone stand will do. These simple mistakes can result in your photo - and, in turn, your entire application - getting denied.
• Do not use a disposable camera to take your passport photo. These inexpensive cameras produce cheap passport photos, but the resulting quality will not be high enough. These cameras usually produce grainy results that will always be rejected.

*Prices are subject to change without notice

Passport Photo Services Near You

For answers to more of your passport photo questions, check out our Passport Photo FAQ for everything you need to know including:

• 9 Things That Can Get Your Passport Photo Rejected
• What to Wear in Your Passport Photo
• How to Take a Passport Photo at Home

Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers