Costco Passport Photo: Cost, Hours & How It Works
Membership required. You must be a Costco member to use the photo center. Not a member? Use our free tool and print at Walmart for $0.09 — even cheaper.
No membership? Get the same result free in 5 minutes
Take your photo at home, upload below, download a compliant passport photo, and print at any pharmacy kiosk — no membership needed.
How Costco Passport Photos Work
Not all Costco locations have a staffed photo center for passport photos. Use the Costco warehouse locator and call ahead to confirm passport photo availability at your specific location before making the trip.
You must show your Costco membership card to use any services inside the warehouse, including the photo center. A Gold Star membership ($65/year) or Business membership ($65/year) is required.
The photo center is typically near the entrance of the warehouse. A Costco associate photographs you against a white or light background. The process takes under 5 minutes.
Costco processes passport photos through their photo printing system. Wait time is typically 1–2 hours. Some locations print faster. You can shop while you wait.
You receive two 2×2 inch photos on a 4×6 sheet. Check them before leaving — confirm the background is white, the image is sharp, and the crop is centered correctly.
Is Costco Worth It for a Passport Photo?
- →You're already a Costco member
- →You live near a Costco with a photo center
- →You need a physical print same-day
- →You need photos for multiple family members
- →You're not a Costco member (membership costs $65/yr)
- →No Costco within reasonable distance
- →You need a digital copy for online renewal
- →You need the photo urgently — pharmacy is faster
Full Price Comparison: Every Option
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
DIY (our tool + kiosk print) Cheapest overall | ~$0.35 |
Costco Photo Center Cheapest retail | $4.99 |
Walmart Photo Best no-membership retail | $7.44 |
UPS Store | $11.99–$14.99 |
FedEx Office | $14.99 |
Walgreens | $15.99 |
CVS Pharmacy Most locations | $16.99 |
Note
Warning
Create Your Passport Photo — Free
No membership needed · download instantly · print anywhere
Free to try • Pay only for HD download
FAQ
How much does a passport photo cost at Costco?
Costco charges $4.99 for passport photos as of 2026. This includes two 2×2 inch printed photos. Costco is consistently the cheapest retail passport photo option — significantly less than CVS ($16.99), Walgreens ($15.99), or Walmart ($7.44). A Costco membership is required to use the photo center.
Do you need a Costco membership to get a passport photo?
Yes. Costco passport photos are only available to Costco members. You must show your membership card at the photo center. If you don't have a membership, Walmart ($7.44) is the next cheapest retail option, or you can use our free online tool and print at any pharmacy kiosk for under $0.35.
How long does a Costco passport photo take?
Costco passport photos are typically same-day, often ready in 1–2 hours. Unlike some retailers where photos are done at a dedicated counter, Costco usually processes passport photos through their standard photo printing system. Wait times vary by location and how busy the photo center is.
Are Costco passport photos accepted by the US State Department?
Yes. Costco passport photos meet all US State Department requirements: 2×2 inches, white background, color, 300 DPI. They are accepted for US passport applications, renewals, visa applications, and USCIS immigration documents.
What are Costco photo center hours for passport photos?
Costco warehouses are generally open Monday–Friday 10 AM–8:30 PM, Saturday 9:30 AM–6 PM, Sunday 10 AM–6 PM. Photo center hours match warehouse hours at most locations, but call your local Costco to confirm passport photo availability — some locations have reduced photo center hours.
Does Costco offer a digital passport photo?
Costco's passport photo service traditionally provides printed photos only. Unlike CVS or Walgreens, a digital copy is not always automatically provided. If you need a digital file (for an online passport renewal application), use our free tool instead — it provides an instant digital download alongside the ability to print.
Can non-members get passport photos at Costco?
No — Costco services require a membership. However, you can use our free online tool to take and crop your passport photo in minutes and then print at Walmart ($0.09–$0.25), Walgreens ($0.25), or CVS ($0.35) — all cheaper than most alternatives without needing a membership.
What's the catch with Costco's $4.99 passport photo?
Two things: (1) Membership is required — $65/year for Gold Star membership. If you're not already a member, the membership cost makes Costco less attractive for a one-off passport photo. (2) Costco has far fewer locations (600) compared to Walgreens (9,000) or CVS (10,000), so availability varies significantly by region.