Searching for passport photo near me usually means you need a photo quickly, but convenience is only half the job. A passport photo must also meet government rules for size, background, facial position, lighting, expression, and image quality.
In the United States, common places for passport photos include CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, FedEx Office, The UPS Store, participating USPS locations, Staples, and independent photography studios. Many provide walk-in or same-day service, although availability and pricing can vary by location.
Quick answer: The easiest way to find a passport photo nearby is to check pharmacies, shipping and printing centers, Post Offices, Walmart Photo Centers, or local photography studios. For a U.S. passport, the finished photo must measure 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), show your current appearance, and meet U.S. Department of State specifications.
Where Can I Get a passport photo near me?
Several types of businesses take or print passport photos. The best option depends on whether you need someone to photograph you, already have a suitable digital image, need a digital copy, or want to complete a passport application at the same location.
CVS Pharmacy
CVS is one of the most widely recognized options for passport photography. Participating stores take government-compliant photos and provide prints, making the service useful when you want someone else to handle framing, lighting, sizing, and printing.
CVS currently lists its standard passport photo service at $17.99, with two additional photos available for an extra charge. Digital copies are also available at select locations.
A typical visit involves:
- Going to a participating CVS Photo location.
- Asking an employee for passport photo service.
- Having your photo taken against the designated background.
- Waiting while the image is checked and printed.
- Reviewing the prints before leaving.
Not every store necessarily offers identical services or hours, so checking the specific location beforehand is sensible.
Walgreens
Walgreens is another common choice when someone searches for a passport photo near me, particularly because many stores have convenient evening and weekend hours.
Walgreens currently states that its passport service costs $16.99 for two government-compliant printed photos, with a digital copy sent by email at no additional charge. An appointment is not required according to Walgreens’ current service information.
Walgreens also says its in-store system analyzes photographs against U.S. Department of State specifications, including factors such as facial positioning, expression, and whether the eyes are open.
That automated check can reduce simple errors, although acceptance is ultimately determined by the passport authority rather than the retailer.
FedEx Office
Many FedEx Office locations provide passport photography without an appointment.
FedEx currently advertises passport photos for $15.95, with customers able to choose between two printed 2 × 2-inch photographs or a digital copy.
This option can be particularly convenient when you also need printing, copying, document preparation, or shipping services.
One distinction is worth remembering: a FedEx Office that takes passport photos is not automatically a government passport acceptance facility. FedEx explicitly notes this distinction on its local passport-service pages.
The UPS Store
Participating The UPS Store locations can take passport and other identification photographs.
The company states that participating stores follow recommended U.S. passport photo requirements. Online appointment scheduling is available at thousands of locations, although service details can vary between individual franchised stores.
This is another practical option for travelers who want professional assistance rather than trying to create a compliant image themselves.
Because individual locations can have different prices and hours, verify those details with the specific store you intend to visit.
USPS Post Offices
Some U.S. Postal Service passport locations provide photography as part of their passport services.
USPS currently lists passport photo service at $15 at select Post Office locations.
This can be particularly useful for first-time passport applicants because certain Post Offices function as passport acceptance facilities. You may be able to have your photograph taken and submit your application during the same visit.
USPS also offers digital-photo services at many participating passport locations for people who need an appropriate digital image, including certain online passport-renewal situations.
Unlike a quick pharmacy visit, passport application appointments may need to be scheduled, so check the USPS location’s specific services before going.
Walmart Photo Center
Walmart can be useful both for taking a passport photograph and printing an image that you already have.
Walmart currently advertises government-compliant 2 × 2 passport photographs for $7.64, with same-day pickup available for eligible online orders. It also says customers can visit participating Photo Centers for in-person help.
This may make Walmart one of the lower-priced mainstream options, particularly if you already have a properly prepared digital photo.
However, don’t assume that every Walmart offers identical in-store photography services. Check the Photo Center rather than simply checking whether a Walmart store exists nearby.
Staples
Staples provides passport and visa photography at its locations and states that no appointment is required. The company says customers can choose printed photographs, a digital version on USB, or both, with photos generally ready quickly.
This can be useful when you need a digital image as well as physical copies.
Independent Photo Studios
A local photography studio is sometimes overlooked when people search for nearby passport photos.
Professional studios can be especially valuable for:
- International passport specifications
- Visa photographs
- Immigration photographs
- Unusual image dimensions
- Infant or child passport pictures
- Difficult lighting or positioning situations
A photographer who regularly handles biometric and identification photography may understand several countries’ requirements rather than only the standard U.S. format.
Ask which country’s passport or visa requirements the studio supports before the photo is taken.
passport photo near me Prices Compared
Prices change and may vary by location, promotions, or service type, but the following comparison gives a useful snapshot of major U.S. providers based on currently published information.
| Provider | Published Price | Typical Service |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart Photo | $7.64 | Two 2 × 2 prints; same-day options |
| USPS | $15 | Photo service at select locations |
| FedEx Office | $15.95 | Two prints or digital copy |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | Two prints + free digital copy |
| CVS | $17.99 | Standard passport photo service |
| The UPS Store | Varies by location | Photo capture and prints |
| Staples | Check local store | Printed and digital options |
Current prices are based on provider information available in August 2026 and may change.
Price should not be the only consideration. A $2 or $3 saving is rarely worthwhile if the location cannot produce the format required for your specific application.
Quick Takeaway
For convenience, Walgreens, CVS, FedEx Office, Walmart, Staples, and The UPS Store are common choices. USPS can make sense when you also need an eligible passport-acceptance location. For unusual international specifications, an experienced local photography studio may be safer.
What Are the U.S. Passport Photo Requirements?
Knowing the rules before visiting a photo provider can save you from having to take another picture.
The U.S. Department of State states that a passport photograph should be 2 inches by 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The head must be centered and measure approximately 1 to 1.4 inches (25 to 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Your photograph should also:
- Be in color.
- Reflect your current appearance.
- Be taken within the last six months.
- Have a plain white or off-white background.
- Show your full face directly toward the camera.
- Have appropriate lighting without distracting shadows.
- Show your eyes clearly.
- Avoid filters or alterations that change your appearance.
These details matter because passport photographs are biometric identity images rather than ordinary portraits.
Can You Smile in a Passport Photo?
A natural expression matters more than looking good for the camera.
Avoid a large smile, exaggerated expression, or anything that significantly changes normal facial features. The safest approach is to face the camera directly with a neutral or natural expression and both eyes clearly visible.
Think of the photo as an identification record, not a portrait for social media.
Can You Wear Glasses?
For a standard U.S. passport photograph, glasses normally should not be worn.
Removing them also eliminates reflections, tinted lenses, and frames that could obscure the eyes or surrounding facial features.
Can You Wear a Hat or Head Covering?
Ordinary hats, caps, and fashion headwear should generally be removed.
Exceptions can exist for religious or medical reasons, but the covering must not obscure identifying facial features. When an exception applies, additional documentation may be required depending on the circumstances.
What Should You Wear?
Everyday clothing works best.
Avoid uniforms unless they are normal religious attire worn daily. A shirt or top that creates some visual separation from a white background can also help produce a clearer image.
You do not need formal business clothing for a passport photo.
How to Find the Closest Passport Photo Location
Typing passport photo near me into a map or search engine can generate plenty of results, but don’t automatically visit the first one.
Use a simple verification process instead.
1. Search by Service, Not Just Business Name
Try location-based searches such as:
- passport photos nearby
- passport photos open now
- same-day passport photo
- passport photo pharmacy
- passport photo printing
- passport photo studio
- passport photos for children
- biometric photo studio
This helps uncover local photography shops alongside major chains.
2. Check the Specific Location
A national chain may advertise passport photography without offering it at every branch.
Look at the individual store page and confirm that Passport Photos, ID Photos, or a similar service is specifically listed.
3. Check Opening Hours
Photo-counter hours can differ from the main store’s operating hours.
A pharmacy might remain open late while its photo service has reduced staffing, for example.
If you need a photo urgently, calling ahead can prevent a wasted trip.
4. Ask Whether an Appointment Is Needed
Walgreens and FedEx Office currently advertise walk-in passport photo services without appointments. Staples also states that no appointment is needed.
USPS is different because passport application services frequently use an appointment system, even though special passport fairs sometimes accept walk-ins.
5. Confirm What You Receive
Ask whether the quoted price includes:
- One or two prints
- A digital copy
- Email delivery
- USB delivery
- Compliance checking
- Retakes if necessary
This matters increasingly because printed and digital passport applications do not always have identical submission workflows.
Do I Need a Printed or Digital Passport Photo?
That depends on how you are submitting your application.
Traditional paper passport applications may require a physical printed photograph, while eligible online processes can use a digital image.
Don’t simply photograph a printed passport picture with your phone to create a digital version. A proper digital file preserves image quality and makes it easier to satisfy pixel, cropping, and color requirements.
For certain U.S. digital photo applications, State Department specifications require a square JPEG image and specify acceptable pixel dimensions.
If you expect to need both versions, ask the provider for printed copies plus the original compliant digital file.
Walgreens currently includes a digital copy with its passport photo service, while FedEx offers a digital option. CVS says digital copies are available at select locations.
Can You Take Your Own Passport Photo?
It is possible to produce a passport photograph outside a professional studio, but the image still has to satisfy the same government requirements.
The challenge is usually not camera quality. Modern phones can capture more than enough detail. The common problems are background, shadows, camera angle, cropping, facial dimensions, and image manipulation.
If you take a photo at home:
- Stand in front of a plain white or off-white background.
- Use even natural or artificial lighting.
- Position the camera at eye level.
- Face straight toward the camera.
- Keep your head upright.
- Leave enough surrounding space for correct cropping.
- Avoid portrait-mode blur and beauty filters.
- Check the final dimensions against official requirements.
Having another person take the photograph is usually easier than trying to position the camera yourself.
Avoid Heavy Editing
Passport photographs should represent your actual appearance.
Don’t digitally reshape facial features, replace yourself with an AI-generated version, erase identifying characteristics, or apply beauty filters. Even seemingly minor edits can produce an image that no longer meets identity-document standards.
Basic preparation such as correct cropping must still preserve the genuine photograph.
Where Can I Print a Passport Photo I Already Have?
If you already possess a compliant digital image, you may not need to pay for a complete photography service.
Walmart Photo, pharmacy photo counters, dedicated print shops, and other photo-printing services can provide physical prints. Walmart, for example, currently allows users to upload passport photographs online and select same-day pickup where available.
Be careful when printing a 2 × 2 photo yourself.
The final physical image must retain its exact dimensions. Allowing an automated printing system to enlarge, crop, stretch, or “fit” the image can change the required head positioning.
Always measure the completed print before attaching it to an application.
What Causes Passport Photos to Be Rejected?
Most rejected photos involve relatively simple errors.
Incorrect Size or Cropping
A correctly photographed face can still fail when the printed or digital image has the wrong dimensions.
For a U.S. passport, remember the key measurement: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm).
Shadows Behind the Head
Standing too close to a wall while using direct flash can create a noticeable shadow behind your head.
Move farther from the background and use softer, more even lighting.
Head Positioned Incorrectly
The face should be centered and appropriately sized. Too much empty space or an excessively large head can make an otherwise clear photograph unusable.
Poor Image Quality
Blur, visible pixels, excessive compression, low resolution, overexposure, and severe underexposure can all create problems.
The eyes and facial features should be clearly identifiable.
Filters and Retouching
A passport photo is not the place for skin-smoothing filters, face reshaping, artificial backgrounds, or dramatic color correction.
Outdated Photograph
Your image should reflect your current appearance and, for a U.S. passport, should have been taken within the required recent period. The Department of State specifies a photo taken within the last six months.
Glasses or Obstructed Face
Eyewear, hair, head coverings, or other objects that obstruct important facial features can cause problems unless a valid exception applies.
Are Passport and Visa Photos the Same?
Not necessarily.
This is one of the most common mistakes people make when visiting a photo shop.
Different governments can specify different:
- Photo dimensions
- Head dimensions
- Background colors
- Number of copies
- Digital resolutions
- File formats
- Facial expressions
- Printing requirements
A 2 × 2-inch U.S. passport photograph therefore should not automatically be assumed to satisfy another country’s passport, visa, residency, immigration, or identification requirements.
When visiting a photo provider, tell the employee the country and document type rather than simply asking for “passport-size photos.”
A professional studio familiar with international biometric photographs can be particularly helpful here.
Passport Photos for Babies and Children
Taking a compliant infant passport photo can be harder than photographing an adult.
The main practical challenge is getting a clear, properly positioned image without another person’s hands, face, or body appearing in the photograph.
Parents commonly find these techniques useful:
- Photograph the baby while awake and calm.
- Use a plain, light-colored background.
- Keep lighting soft and even.
- Allow enough room around the head for proper cropping.
- Avoid toys, pacifiers, blankets with patterns, or other distracting objects in the frame.
If repeated home attempts are unsuccessful, a photo studio experienced with infant identification photographs can be worth the extra effort.
Should You Choose a Pharmacy, Post Office, or Photo Studio?
There isn’t one best option for everyone.
Choose a pharmacy or retail photo counter when speed, convenient opening hours, and walk-in service matter most.
Choose USPS when you are eligible to handle your passport application and photography during the same visit.
Choose FedEx Office, The UPS Store, or Staples when you want a professional photo alongside printing, copying, or shipping services.
Choose a professional photography studio when you need an unusual international format, have had a photo rejected previously, or need extra assistance with a baby or child.
Choose a print-only service when you already have a correctly prepared digital photograph.
The most useful question is not simply “Which place is closest?” It is “Which nearby place can produce the exact photograph required for my document?”
Final Checklist Before You Leave the Photo Location
Before paying and walking out, spend 30 seconds checking the result.
Make sure:
- The image is sharp and in color.
- Your full face is clearly visible.
- Your head is centered.
- The background is plain and appropriate.
- There are no obvious shadows.
- Your eyes are visible.
- The photograph has not been heavily retouched.
- The printed size matches your application requirements.
- You received a digital copy if you need one.
- The photo specifications match the country issuing your document.
A nearby store can make getting a passport photograph fast, but accuracy matters more than distance. When searching for passport photo near me, compare the service offered, verify the current requirements for your specific passport or visa, and inspect the finished image before submitting it. That small check can save you from delays caused by a rejected photograph.
