Passport photos: where to get one, what it costs, and the official rules (2026)
Every U.S. passport application needs one photo that meets the State Department's rules. Here's where to get one, what each place officially charges, and how to take it yourself. Each figure links to its source.
Not affiliated with the government. Errand Desk is an independent site. We're not part of the U.S. Department of State, USPS, or any business listed here. For official rules, always check travel.state.gov. This is general information, not legal advice. The State Department makes the final call on whether a photo is accepted.
Where to get a passport photo: price comparison
Prices are what each company's own page showed on Oct 21, 2026. Single-store prices are labeled as examples. "Not stated" means the official page doesn't say.
| Where | Published price | Digital copy (for online renewal) | Appointment? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart Photo Center | $7.64, as listed on Walmart Photo's passport photo page. The number of prints per order isn't stated on that page [6]. | Optional USB "with images for online renewals." Price not stated [6]. | No [6] | In-store only, at Walmart Supercenter Photo Centers [6]. |
| USPS (Post Office) | $15.00 Post Office photo fee [7] | Digital photo service at "many" passport locations [7] | USPS asks you to book photo services by appointment, with limited walk-in hours at some locations [7]. | "Most" passport-accepting Post Offices can take photos [7]. |
| FedEx Office | $15.95 for two 2"×2" photos, per FedEx Office store pages [2] | Not stated | Not stated | Store pages say the service is "available at any FedEx Office location nationwide" [2]. |
| Walgreens | $16.99 for two 2×2 printed photos [4] | Free emailed digital copy with purchase [4] | No [4] | In-store only, "at most of our Walgreens locations" [4]. |
| CVS | $17.99 for two 2×2 prints [5] | $3.99 emailed digital copy (select locations). $10.99 on a USB drive [5] | No [5] | "Select CVS Pharmacy locations." In store only [5]. |
| The UPS Store | No national price published [3]. Example store (Charlotte, NC): $19.99 plus tax for one printed U.S. set of 2 photos [8]. | Example store: $19.99 plus tax, or $32.99 plus tax for digital and printed together [8] | Online booking at "more than 3,900 locations" [3] | Stores are franchises, and "products, services, prices, and hours of operation may vary by location" [3]. |
| Costco | We found no official Costco passport photo page, so we list no price. News reports in 2021 said Costco was closing its in-store photo centers (reported, not official) [11]. | |||
Photo fees vs. passport fees
- If you apply in person with Form DS-11, you pay the State Department's application fee plus a $35 facility acceptance fee to the place where you apply. This applies to adults and children [9].
- The photo is a separate cost. "Acceptance facilities and photo vendors charge different fees for taking your photo" [1]. At a Post Office, for example, the $15.00 photo fee is listed separately from the $35.00 acceptance fee [7].
- The State Department says it can't refund the application fee or the execution (acceptance) fee, even if no passport is issued [9].
Official photo requirements (State Department)
From the State Department's passport photo page [1]:
- One color photo, taken in the last 6 months.
- Size: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). Head size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
- Background: plain white or off-white, without shadows, texture, objects or lines.
- Pose: face the camera directly with your head not tilted and your eyes open and visible. A neutral expression or a smile with your mouth closed is fine.
- No glasses: remove eyeglasses, sunglasses and tinted glasses. If you can't remove them for medical reasons, include a signed doctor's note.
- Hats and head coverings: remove them unless worn for religious purposes (include a signed statement that it's religious attire worn daily in public) or medical purposes (include a signed doctor's statement). Your full face must be visible, with no shadows. The covering should be one color, without patterns or small holes.
- Clothing: no uniforms, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage. No headphones or wireless devices. Jewelry and facial piercings are OK if they don't hide your face. Remove face coverings and medical masks.
- No edits: submit the original photo, with no filters, software or app changes. The State Department says it checks photos for digital alteration.
- Print quality: high resolution, matte or glossy photo-quality paper, with no visible printer dots. No photocopies or scans, and no damaged photos.
- Babies: no other person in the photo, and the child must face the camera. It's OK if a baby's eyes aren't fully open.
Digital photo rules for online renewal
From the State Department's "Uploading a Digital Photo" page [10]:
- File type JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF, between 54 KB and 10 MB, in color and taken in the last 6 months.
- Frame the photo so its bottom edge is at your shoulders, near where they meet your arms. You can crop in the application.
- Don't photograph or scan a printed photo, and don't send the image by text message (it lowers quality).
- The upload tool checks basic requirements. An employee reviews the photo later and may ask for a new one.
Common reasons photos get rejected
The State Department says "Unacceptable photos are the number one reason why we put passport applications on hold" [1]. Its unacceptable examples include [1]:
- Shadows on the face or background, or a photo that's under- or overexposed
- Wrong head size: too close to or too far from the camera, or head not centered
- Blurry, grainy or wrong-size prints
- Edited or filtered photos, a cropped-out background, or red eye
- Head tilted or turned, mouth open, or eyes closed
- Glasses (even resting on your head), sunglasses, hats, or hair or a scarf covering the face
- A background that isn't plain white or off-white (for example blue, textured or lined)
Taking your own photo (DIY)
The State Department lists "a friend or family member" alongside acceptance facilities and photo companies as a place to get your photo [1]. If you do it yourself, it must meet every rule above. The official tips [1]:
- Stand several feet from a white or off-white wall. Use a white blanket or sheet to cover a non-white wall.
- Use even lighting. Avoid overhead or side lights that cast shadows.
- Set the camera to its highest quality setting.
- Print at exactly 2 × 2 inches on matte or glossy photo-quality paper, with no visible printer dots.
- Don't edit or filter the photo.
Tips before you go
- Call ahead. Walgreens, CVS and The UPS Store all say the service is at most, select or participating locations, not every store [4][5][3].
- Renewing online? Ask for a digital copy. Walgreens includes one free, and CVS charges $3.99 at select locations [4][5].
- Wear everyday clothes (no uniform or camouflage), and take off your glasses before the photo [1].
- Applying in person at a Post Office? You can book photos with your application appointment [7].
FAQ
How much does a passport photo cost?
Published prices we found: $7.64 at Walmart Photo, $15.00 at Post Offices, $15.95 at FedEx Office, $16.99 at Walgreens and $17.99 at CVS [6][7][2][4][5]. The UPS Store has no national price. One example store charges $19.99 plus tax [3][8].
Can I take my own passport photo?
Yes. The State Department lists "a friend or family member" as an option. The photo must still meet all requirements, including 2 × 2 inch size and photo-quality paper [1].
Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?
No, unless you can't remove them for medical reasons. In that case, include a signed doctor's note [1].
Is the photo included in the passport fee?
No. Photo vendors and acceptance facilities charge separately for photos [1]. The $35 acceptance fee covers accepting your application, not the photo [9][7].
What photo do I need to renew online?
A digital color photo taken in the last 6 months, in JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF format and between 54 KB and 10 MB [10].
Sources
All sources last checked Oct 21, 2026. Store pages are examples, and other locations may differ.
- U.S. Department of State, "Passport Photos" (page last updated Mar 24, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/photos.html (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- FedEx Office store pages (passport photo FAQ), e.g. Dallas, TX: local.fedex.com/en-us/tx/dallas/office-0178 and Washington, DC: local.fedex.com/en-us/dc/washington/office-0388 (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- The UPS Store, "Passport & ID Photo Services": theupsstore.com/store-services/passport-photos (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- Walgreens Photo, "Passport and Visa Photos": photo.walgreens.com/store/passport-photos (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- CVS Photo, "CVS Passport Photos": cvs.com/photo/passport-photos (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- Walmart Photo, "Passport and Visa Photos": photos3.walmart.com/category/83-passport-photos (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- USPS, "Passport Appointments, Renewals, & Photo Services": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- The UPS Store, 9935 Rea Rd, Charlotte, NC: passport photos page: locations.theupsstore.com/nc/charlotte/9935-rea-rd/passport-photos (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, "Passport Fees" (page last updated Mar 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- U.S. Department of State, "Uploading a Digital Photo" (page last updated May 4, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/renew-replace/online/upload-digital-photo.html (last checked Oct 21, 2026)
- WISN (Milwaukee), "Costco is shutting down all of its photo centers," Jan 14, 2021 (news report, not an official Costco source): wisn.com/article/costco-shutting-down-all-of-its-photo-centers/35214765 (last checked Oct 21, 2026)