How Much Does a Passport Photo Cost?
2026 prices at every major retailer — and how to get a compliant photo for under $1.
Passport photos cost $7.44–$16.99 at retail stores. Walmart is cheapest at $7.44. CVS is most expensive at $16.99. Online services cost $9.99 for a digital download you can print at any pharmacy kiosk for $0.35.
Skip the trip — get a passport photo online
Upload your photo, download a compliant JPEG. Print at any pharmacy kiosk for $0.35, or submit digitally for online passport renewal.
Passport Photo Prices — 2026 Comparison
| Location | Price |
|---|---|
| Walmart Photo Center | $7.44 |
| 2x2passportphoto.com (online) | $9.99 + $0.35 print |
| Costco Photo Center | $4.99 |
| UPS Store | $11.99–$14.99 |
| FedEx Office | $14.99 |
| Walgreens | $15.99 |
| CVS | $16.99 |
| AAA (members) | Free |
| Post office (USPS) | $15.00 |
| Professional photographer | $20–$50 |
The Hidden Costs of In-Store Passport Photos
The sticker price isn't the full cost. In-store passport photos come with costs that don't appear on the receipt:
A round trip to CVS or Walgreens takes 20–40 minutes in most suburban areas. That time has value — especially if you're trying to submit an application quickly.
Most in-store photo services allow one free retake. If the lighting, expression, or background are off, you have one chance to fix it before paying again.
In-store services give you printed photos only. If you need a JPEG for online passport renewal, Global Entry, or digital visa applications, you'll need to pay again separately.
Photo centers at Walmart and Costco close before the store does. CVS and Walgreens photo centers typically close at 10 PM. If you're in a hurry, the hours may not align.
The Cheapest Way to Get a Passport Photo
The lowest-cost reliable method is taking your own photo and printing it at a pharmacy kiosk:
Use a smartphone rear camera. White wall background, natural light. Portrait orientation, neutral expression. Takes 5 minutes.
Use our free online tool (watermarked preview is free). The paid download ($9.99) gives you an unwatermarked JPEG for digital submission. For a printed photo only, the free preview is enough to print from.
Upload to the Walgreens, CVS, or Walmart photo app. Order a 4×6 photo print. Cut the 2×2 inch photos out from the sheet. Cost: $0.29–$0.35 per 4×6 sheet with 4 photos.
Note
Digital Passport Photo vs. Printed: What Do You Actually Need?
| Application type | Need printed? | Need digital? |
|---|---|---|
| US passport renewal (by mail, DS-82) | Yes — 2 photos | No |
| US passport renewal (online) | No | Yes — JPEG upload |
| First-time passport (in person, DS-11) | Yes — 2 photos | No |
| Global Entry enrollment | No | Yes — CBP portal |
| USCIS forms (green card, citizenship) | Yes — 2 photos | Sometimes |
| US visa application | Yes — 1 photo | No |
| Foreign visa (Schengen, China, etc.) | Yes — 1–2 photos | Sometimes |
Tip
Get Your Passport Photo for $9.99
Digital download + print-ready 4×6 sheet — cheaper than CVS, no travel required
Free to try • Pay only for HD download
Passport Photo Cost FAQ
How much does a passport photo cost?
Passport photos cost $7.44–$16.99 at retail stores in 2026. Walmart is the cheapest at $7.44, followed by FedEx Office at $14.99, Walgreens at $15.99, and CVS at $16.99. Online passport photo services charge $9.99 for a full-resolution digital download you can print at any pharmacy kiosk for $0.35.
Where is the cheapest place to get a passport photo?
Walmart is the cheapest retail option at $7.44 for two printed 2×2 inch photos, available at the photo center. The catch: you need to visit in person and wait up to 1 hour. The cheapest overall option is taking your own photo at home and printing it at a pharmacy kiosk — total cost is under $1 ($9.99 online tool + $0.35 print at CVS/Walgreens kiosk).
Does CVS charge for passport photos?
Yes — CVS charges $16.99 for passport photos at their in-store photo center. This includes two printed 2×2 inch photos, ready in about 1 hour. No appointment is needed. CVS has passport photo services at over 10,000 locations. You can also print a passport photo at a CVS kiosk yourself for $0.35 if you already have a compliant digital file.
How much does Walgreens charge for passport photos?
Walgreens charges $15.99 for passport photos taken in-store, ready in under 1 hour, no appointment needed. This is slightly cheaper than CVS. Walgreens has passport photo services at 9,000+ locations. Self-service kiosk printing at Walgreens costs $0.35 per 4×6 sheet if you upload your own photo.
Are passport photos free anywhere?
Free passport photos are rare. Some AAA branches offer free passport photos to AAA members as a membership perk — call your local branch to confirm availability. Some libraries offer free passport photo services as well. Outside of these cases, you will pay $7–$17 at retail locations or $9.99 for an online digital download.
Can I print my own passport photo to save money?
Yes — this is the cheapest reliable method. Use an online tool ($9.99 for a compliant JPEG) or free preview (watermarked), then print at any pharmacy kiosk for $0.35 per 4×6 sheet with 4 photos. Total cost: $0.35 if you only need a print after using the free preview, or $10.34 for a full-resolution download and print. Either way it's cheaper than any in-store service.
Does the passport photo price include both photos?
Yes — all retail locations (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, FedEx) include two printed 2×2 inch photos in the quoted price. US passport applications require two photos; the standard pricing is designed around this. Online services provide a digital file, and the print-at-home sheet includes 4 photos on a 4×6 inch layout.
Is an online passport photo cheaper than going to CVS?
Yes, significantly. CVS charges $16.99 for in-store photos. An online service ($9.99 download) plus pharmacy kiosk printing ($0.35) totals $10.34 — and you get the digital file for online passport renewal submissions as a bonus. If you use the free watermarked preview to get a print at a kiosk and cut it yourself, the cost is just $0.35.