Passport Photo Near Me – Or Make One Free Online
Searching for a “passport photo near me” and dreading a $17 trip to CVS? You can make a compliant US passport photo at home in under 2 minutes using our free tool, then print it anywhere for $0.35. This guide compares every in-person option and shows you exactly how to skip the trip entirely.
Where to Get Passport Photos (And What They Cost)
Here is a complete comparison of every major in-person passport photo service, including price, convenience, and whether they guarantee compliance.
| Location | Price (2 photos) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CVS | $16.99 | Walk-in, most locations, ready in minutes |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | Walk-in, most locations, ready in minutes |
| Walmart | $7.44 | Photo center, not all locations have service |
| USPS | $15.00 | Convenient if applying by mail, limited hours |
| FedEx Office | $14.95 | Walk-in, extended hours at many locations |
| AAA | $10–$15 | Members only at some locations |
| Online services | $5–$15 | Uploads your photo to their servers, mails prints |
| Our tool | $0 + $0.35 print | Free to use, print anywhere, nothing uploaded |
Why Make Your Own Instead?
In-person photo services are convenient, but they come with real downsides beyond just cost. Here is why making your own passport photo at home is the better choice for most people:
- ✓Save $15 or more — in-store services charge $7–$17 for the same result you can get for $2
- ✓No driving, no parking, no waiting — do it from your couch in 2 minutes
- ✓Unlimited retakes — if you blink or the lighting is off, just take another shot at no cost
- ✓Privacy — your photo never leaves your device, unlike paid online services that upload and store it
- ✓Available 24/7 — no store hours, no holidays, no closures
- ✓Same compliance guarantee — our tool outputs an exact 2x2 inch, 300 DPI file with auto background removal
How to Make a Passport Photo at Home in 2 Minutes
Making a compliant passport photo at home is simpler than most people think. You need only a smartphone and a plain white wall.
- 1Take the photo.
Stand in front of a plain white wall with your face evenly lit. Use natural light from a window (not direct sun). Have someone else take the photo, or prop your phone up and use a timer. Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression and mouth closed.
- 2Upload & process.
Upload your photo to our tool below. The background is removed automatically and replaced with compliant white. The crop is auto-adjusted so your head falls in the required 1–1 3/8 inch range within the 2x2 frame. Everything runs in your browser.
- 3Download & print.
Download your finished 600x600px passport photo file. Print it at CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart for $0.25–$0.35, or print at home on photo paper. See our 2x2 photo prints guide for detailed printing instructions.
Skip the Trip — Make Your Passport Photo Right Now
Skip the trip — make your passport photo right now:
If You Still Want In-Person Service
Sometimes an in-person photo service makes sense — especially if you need the photo in the next hour, or if you are applying for a passport at a USPS acceptance facility and want everything handled in one trip. Here is how to get the best result if you go in person:
Call ahead before you go
Not every CVS or Walgreens has passport photo equipment at every hour. Call the specific location to confirm they offer the service and that the photo station is working. Weekend mornings are the busiest times.
Avoid weekends at the post office
USPS acceptance facilities for passport applications often have long waits on weekends and Mondays. Tuesday through Thursday mornings tend to be the shortest wait times. Check the specific facility hours at travel.state.gov.
Bring the official requirements
Print or pull up the official requirements on your phone to show the photographer. This helps avoid common mistakes like wrong background color or incorrect crop. The full spec is available at travel.state.gov and in our US passport photo requirements guide.
Print Your Photo at These Locations
Once you have downloaded your passport photo file from our tool, you can print it at any of the following locations. Each produces photo-quality output that meets the 300 DPI requirement for US passport applications.
- CVS Photo— $0.35 per 4x6 print. Upload via the CVS Photo app or website. Pick up same-day at most locations.
- Walgreens Photo— $0.35 per 4x6 print. Use the Walgreens app or walgreens.com. Same-day pickup available.
- Walmart Photo Center— $0.25 per 4x6 print. Use the Walmart Photo app or walmart.com/photo. Same-day pickup at some stores.
- Home printer— $0.05–$0.15 if you have a color inkjet and photo paper. Print at 300 DPI on glossy or semi-glossy photo paper.
For complete step-by-step printing instructions, including how to set the correct print size and cut the photo, see our 2x2 photo prints guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a passport photo near me?
You can get a passport photo at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, USPS, FedEx Office, AAA, and many independent pharmacies and print shops. Most locations do not require an appointment, though calling ahead on busy days is recommended. Alternatively, you can make a free passport photo at home using our tool and print it at any of these locations for $0.25–$0.35.
How much does a passport photo cost at CVS or Walgreens?
CVS and Walgreens both charge $16.99 for a set of two passport photos (the standard for US passport applications). Walmart charges $7.44, USPS charges $15.00, and FedEx Office charges $14.95. Our tool is free to use, and you can print the resulting photo at CVS or Walgreens for $0.35 per print, saving over $16 compared to their in-store passport photo service.
Can I make my own passport photo at home?
Yes. The US State Department explicitly allows home-printed passport photos as long as they meet official requirements: 2x2 inches, white background, head between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head, neutral expression, no glasses, and printed at 300 DPI. Our tool handles all of these requirements automatically — just upload your photo.
Is a home passport photo accepted at the post office?
Yes. Acceptance agents at post offices and other passport facilities are required to accept home-printed photos that meet the technical requirements. They cannot reject a photo solely because it was taken at home rather than by a professional photographer. If your photo meets all official requirements, it will be accepted.
How do I print a passport photo at home or at a store?
After creating your photo with our tool, download the file and either print it at home on photo paper (set print size to 2x2 inches at 300 DPI) or upload it to the CVS or Walgreens photo app and select standard 4x6 print. Cut out the 2x2 section. Printing at CVS or Walgreens costs $0.35 and produces photo-quality output. See our 2x2 photo prints guide for step-by-step instructions.
Do passport photos expire?
US passport photos must be taken within the last 6 months and must accurately represent your current appearance. There is no formal expiration date stamped on a photo, but acceptance agents are instructed to reject photos that appear more than 6 months old or do not match the applicant's current appearance. Always take a fresh photo when applying or renewing.
What is the cheapest way to get a passport photo?
The cheapest option is to make your own passport photo for free using our tool, then print it at Walmart for $0.25 or at CVS or Walgreens for $0.35. Total cost: under $0.40. Compare that to $16.99 at CVS or Walgreens in-store service, $15 at USPS, or $14.95 at FedEx. You save over $14 and get the same compliant result.