Important Due to Covid-19, processing times for passports are taking longer than normal for both standard and expedited services.

Where to Get a Passport Photo Taken

When applying for most passport services, at least one photo is required. While there are many places you can get a passport photo taken, where you get your passport photo is important. Submitting an unacceptable picture is one of the main reasons why a passport application gets delayed.

This article will provide you with several options for where to get your passport-sized photo taken.

Where NOT to Get a Passport Photo

There are some places that you should avoid if you want your photo to be accepted and your application processed without delay. There are very specific requirements for the size and composition of an acceptable picture, and it takes a specific attention to detail that not all photography options can guarantee.

One place to stay away from is a photo booth. Even though photo booths are rare to come by these days, you need to be aware that this type of photo is not acceptable.

You should also stay away from old pictures stored on your computer or cell phone. Besides the fact that passport photos must be recent (taken within the last 6 months), there is a good chance that the pictures you have on your computer would need to be edited, which is prohibited.

Selfies are not allowed. You may think that you have taken a photo at a good enough angle with a selfie stick or phone stand, but simple mistakes can result in your photo - and, in turn, your entire application - getting denied.

Finally, do not use a cheap, disposable camera to take your passport photo. The quality will not be high enough. These cameras usually produce grainy images that will certainly be rejected.

Places to Get a Passport Photo

There are several options when it comes to getting a passport photo. Unless you live in a remote area, there are probably several locations close to your residence where you can get your passport pictures both taken and printed. Below is a list of places where you can get your passport photographs. We have included a price comparison table at the end of this article.

Shipping Centers

Both FedEx Office and UPS offer passport photo services. Even though there are thousands of FedEx and UPS locations where you can mail packages, there are fewer FedEx Office and UPS locations that offer passport photo services. Be sure to call and ask about this service at any of these locations.

Pharmacies & Retail Stores

Pharmacy and retail chains are a convenient option for getting your passport photos taken and printed. Popular pharmacy chains CVS and Walgreens, as well as retail giants Target and Walmart offer this service at affordable prices. With thousands of locations nationwide, you should have no problem finding one of these stores near you.

Professional Photography Studios

Having passport photos taken at a professional photography studio is something that very few applicants do. Studio sessions can be expensive, and many studios are reluctant to book time with clients who only want a single, simple picture. For this reason, not many studios offer this service. Those that do usually charge more than you would pay at the locations mentioned earlier. While it is important to send a good-quality photo with your passport application, professional photos are really not necessary.

U.S. Passport Offices

Many passport application acceptance facilities also offer passport photo service. The majority of these are located in local post offices. This is very convenient since it allows you to do everything in one location. You can get your picture taken and immediately have the application adjudicated and sent off for processing.

Be sure to call and ask about this service at the passport office where you want to apply. You can learn how to schedule an online appointment here.

Registered Passport Expediters

Applicants who are unable to visit a regional agency in person and require a passport in 2 weeks or less can employ the assistance of an experienced passport expediting service to submit the applications for them. If you need to use one of these service providers and live in or near the city where they are located, you might be able to get your passport photo at the same location. Some expediters offer this service. Be sure to ask when you apply for expediting.

Take & Print Your Photo at Home

You can take and print a passport photo at home, but you must follow the 5 basic rules set by the U.S. Department of State:

Photos must be in color, taken in the last 6 months
The image of your face must be clear (no filters, no editing)
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.
No eyeglasses
The background of your photo must be white or off-white

If you have followed these guidelines and have a photo ready, you can use our Photo Tool, which allows you to upload your photo, crop it to the correct size, and also provides approved examples for you to use as a comparison to your own. Using this tool may give you a better chance of having your photo accepted.

Be aware that photos cannot be edited and must be printed on photo-quality paper. This means both the camera you use to take the photo and the device you use to print it must be capable of producing high-quality pictures that do not require any touch-ups or drastic scaling. For more, read our guide on taking passport photos with a digital camera.

Remember, a photo that does not meet the necessary requirements is one of the principal causes of delays in the passport application process.

How Much Does a Passport Photo Cost?

The price of a passport photo ranges in price from about $0.35 to $15.00, depending on 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 that you are applying for a new passport.