Last updated Mar. 18, 2023 by Peter Jakes
If you’re planning a trip, you’ll need a passport photo. But with the high cost of taking pictures in the United States, it’s not uncommon for travelers to scour the web for cheaper options.
Below are some of our favorite places to get cheap passport photos.
Costco
Your best bet is to go to a Costco. Costco is the best place to get passport photos because they’re open 24/7 and have 100 locations nationwide.
The next time you need your passport photo taken, consider going there instead of taking a trip out of town or waiting in line at a photo studio.
Walgreens
The Walgreens pharmacy chain is well known for its convenient locations and affordable prices. So who doesn’t have a Walgreens near them?
The chain has been in business for over 100 years, so it’s safe to assume they know what they’re doing when running a business like this.
With their passport photo service, you can get your photos taken quickly and easily at any of their locations. They also offer discounts if you order from their website, which is excellent news for anyone who wants to save some cash while taking pictures.
Walmart
If you’re in a hurry or have a large family, Walmart is a good choice for cheap passport photos. You can have your passport photos taken at Walmart in about 5 minutes (less time than it takes to wait in line).
If all of your family members need new photos, the process will probably take longer than this because multiple people are being photographed. On the other hand, if all your family members don’t need new pictures, then only one person will take pictures while others wait their turn.
Walmart also offers special deals on bulk orders, so this could be ideal if you have more than one child who needs new photos.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club is a membership-only warehouse club located in several states. Sam’s Clubs in Texas, Georgia, and Indiana, among other conditions, can be found.
Sam’s Club provides passport photo services for only $4 per photo, significantly less than you’ll pay. In addition, to these or Walgreens. The service takes about five minutes to complete and requires no appointment.
It provides photos that meet all government requirements for size and quality, so you won’t have to make multiple trips to get your pictures redone after submitting them with your passport application.
You can also read:13 easy ways to get paid to take pictures
CVS
If you’re looking for a cheap passport photo, CVS is your best bet. The national chain has locations in most states and offers pictures for a low price of $8.99. They’re open 24/8, too great if you need a last-minute passport photo.
AAA
- AAA: If you live in the United States and are a member of the American Automobile Association (AAA), you can get your passport photos taken at a number of their locations.
- Be sure to check out the locations that offer free photo services. Some of these may be open 24 hours, so if you’re traveling at night or on a holiday weekend and need your passport photo immediately, this might be your best option.
Kinkos (FedEx)
Kinkos (FedEx) is a great place to get passport photos because they are cheap, fast, and convenient.
They offer discounts for multiple prints, and you can order online.
Meijer
Meijer is a grocery store chain in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky. They also have their photo center where you can get passport photos done for a low price.
Meijer’s passport photo service is $19.99 for two photos taken at one of their locations. This might be your option if you want to save money when taking your passport photos.
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
One of the most common places to get a passport photo is your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Many states require passport photos to renew driver’s licenses, so their DMV locations would naturally have them. They’re easy to find and usually have multiple locations across the state.
Target
Target is an excellent choice for getting passport photos. You can choose between packages of 5 or 10 images for $30 or just one for $18.
In-store options are located in the photo center section of stores (usually near the front). If you don’t want to pick up your photo at the store, you can order it online at target.com.
UPS Store
The UPS Store is a great place to get passport photos because it’s easy, fast, and affordable. It’s also open on weekends and holidays, perfect for busy schedules.
You can expect to pay $8.50 per photo (if you do not have the correct size of photo paper). They’ll make them for free if you have their piece in hand.
They offer same-day service too! Your appointment is not needed at The UPS Store either; walk in and wait your turn.
UPS Drop-Off Location (Amazon)
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, this is a good option for getting your passport photos. You can take a picture of yourself using the Amazon app and upload it through it (or from your computer).
This is also a good option if you don’t want to wait in line at one of these stores. If you’re unsure which type of photo is best for what kind of passport application, check out our guide on getting cheap passport photos near.
U.S. Post Office (USPS) – Online Only
You can get a passport photo at the U.S. Post Office for $15. However, the images must be taken in person, so you must visit one of their many locations near you.
If you want to do it online, they have a free online service that accepts digital photos and generates the required size images for your passport application form and in the physical passport itself.
Shutterfly
Shutterfly is a website and company that allows you to get photos made online or in-store. You can choose from various backgrounds, props, and effects for your picture, including customizing the color scheme and adding text.
It’s a great option if you need more than one photo taken but aren’t sure exactly what look you want.
The cost is $10 per passport photo (plus shipping), which isn’t bad compared to other sites we looked at. They offer free shipping on orders over $35 and same-day pickup if you order before noon, and if you don’t have time for either of those options, drop off your photos at any store near you.
What sets Shutterfly apart from other companies? First, their service allows customers to upload their images via their website instead of having them print out something like this article’s author did with his old laptop years ago when he was not trying hard enough.
Rite Aid Photo Center – No More Photos
The Rite Aid photo center is no longer offering passport photos. The Rite Aid photo center is now a photo center that does not provide passport photos.
If you want to buy prints from the Rite Aid photo center, you can get them for $4 each or two-for-one if you pay with cash or credit card (no debit cards).
You can also upload your digital files to be printed for $2 per print, which is quite expensive considering how much cheaper it would be to use another service like Walgreens or CVS Photo.
Duane Reade
Duane Reade is a drugstore chain with over 1,000 stores in the United States. It’s owned by Walgreens Boots Alliance, which also owns Walgreens.
Walgreens passport photo
Walgreens is located everywhere, so if you need to take your passport photo an excellent while you’re out and about, this is a good place to go.
It costs $15 to get one done in-store, or you can download the Walgreens app and have it done for free.
Best passport photos near me
If you’ve ever applied for a passport, your photo must be just right. It needs to be well-lit with no shadows, it can’t have anything covering your face or head, and it absolutely cannot glare on your glasses.
A new website called PassportPhotoHQ.com makes finding the perfect photo location nearby super easy. All you need to do is enter your zip code, and they’ll show you every business near you that will take your passport photo for free.
You can quickly browse their list of locations until you find one that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who takes cheap passport photos?
Who takes cheap passport photos? Of course, you can’t walk a mile in the U.S. without seeing a solemn-looking person in a paper smock willing to snap pictures for $5 or less. But what’s more excellent than that?
An old-fashioned studio portrait! I walked into a photo studio and asked them to take my photo. They charged me $10, but at least they had a black backdrop and flattering lighting, and their equipment wasn’t dust-covered.
If you’re looking for something even more official than your local drugstore, check out this list from Fotokit of studios in major cities that are open on weekends and will take passport photos.
Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
The answer is yes if you have a smartphone with a front-facing camera.
Passport photos are smaller than one square inch (and in black and white).
That means you can take a picture of your face that meets all the requirements with your phone’s regular camera.
Do I need an appointment for passport photos?
You do not have to make an appointment for your passport photos. You can come anytime during our open hours, and our staff will be happy to assist you with taking your picture.
After you’ve been photographed, the pictures are sent to a photo lab, where they are developed and printed. You’re then allowed thirty days to return to the office and pick up your new passport photos at no cost.
Can you smile in a passport photo?
If you’ve ever applied for a passport, you know that they have specific instructions on what to wear, what not to wear, and how to pose.
You are supposed to wear your hair down but not in a ponytail, have a light-colored top, etc. We all follow these instructions and try to pose in the most flattering way possible.
But do we smile? Do we have to smile in our passport photo?
USA and Canadian passports have no restrictions on facial expressions; however, many other countries do.
For example, Austria requires a neutral expression, while Italy involves a declaration of seriousness or neutrality. In some cases, smiling is highly recommended.
In Russia, it is recommended but not required, and in some Asian countries like Singapore, smiling is wholly prohibited.
Is there a free passport photo app?
Of course, there is. Google any phrase like “free passport photo app” or “app to take passport photos,” and find a few options.
The one I’ve used is Photo Scan, which is available for both Android and iOS. It’s super easy to use. You snap a photo of your face, and the app does the rest.
Where can I print a 2×2 passport photo?
When you go to the DMV to get your driver’s license, they have a machine that prints out the perfect 2×2 passport photo.
You feed a few bills into the machine, select the “passport photos” tab, and place your face against a blue backdrop.
The machine spits out your photo, and you’re on your way. But if you need passport photos for a job application or for any other reason, you don’t need to show proof of your driving ability; there aren’t any machines where you can drop some change and have a couple of pictures printed for free.
If you want them for personal use, you might consider going to one of those “one-hour” photo places, usually in any shopping mall.
And if you want them for business use, it’s up to you whether or not you wish to spend the money on professional photo printing services.
Summary
Look no further if you’re looking for the best places to get cheap passport photos. Costco, Walgreens, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and CVS are some of the best places to get them.
You can also try AAA or Kinkos (FedEx). If you live near a Meijer store in Michigan or Indiana, they have a photo center that charges just $5 for passport pictures (this may vary by location).
If there is no need to rush your order or wait in line at one of these locations—and if you don’t mind paying extra, you can get your passport photos taken at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Target stores.
You can also pay an extra fee and go directly to UPS Store locations near you where they charge $15 per photo.”
I hope this article helped you find the best place to get your passport photos in your area! If you have any questions about these places, please comment below.
