Where to print a passport photo
You've got two real options: get it done at a store near you, or crop a compliant photo yourself and print it anywhere. Here's how each one actually works.
Option 1: get it done at a store near you
A handful of pharmacies, retailers, and print shops offer passport photo service: they take the photo and print it on the spot, usually within 15 to 30 minutes. Here's roughly what to expect from the ones people search for most.
- UPS Store. Most locations offer passport photos as a walk-in service, usually printed in a set of two.
- Walgreens. Photo counter service, typically same-day, sometimes tied to their photo app for ordering ahead.
- CVS. Available at many CVS Photo counters, walk-in or ordered through the CVS Photo site first.
- Costco. Photo center passport service has been inconsistent store to store in recent years. Call ahead before you drive over.
- Walmart. Photo center passport photos, usually one of the cheaper walk-in options.
- AAA. Free or discounted passport photos for members at many branches, worth checking if you already have a membership.
- FedEx Office. Passport photo printing at most locations, often bundled with notary and shipping services.
- Sam's Club. Similar to Costco: photo center availability varies by location and has been shrinking, so call first.
- Staples. Print and photo counter passport service at many stores, walk-in or online order for pickup.
- Rite Aid. Available at some locations through the photo counter, though coverage has thinned out as store counts have dropped.
None of this is a guarantee of what a specific location near you offers right now. Store services change, especially at big-box photo centers, so a quick call before you drive over saves you a wasted trip.
Option 2: crop it yourself, print anywhere
Upload a recent photo of yourself, crop it to your country's exact passport photo size with the free tool on this site, and download the result. From there, print it at any of the same pharmacies and photo counters listed above (without paying for the sitting), or at home if you've got a decent photo printer. It skips the trip and the studio fee entirely. All you need to start is a reasonably good photo: plain background, even lighting, neutral expression.
Not sure your photo will actually pass? Read the full passport photo requirements guide for your country, including the most common reasons photos get rejected.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get a passport photo near me?
Pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid), big-box retailers (Walmart, Costco, Sam's Club), shipping and print stores (UPS Store, FedEx Office, Staples), and AAA branches for members are the usual options. Availability and hours vary a lot by location, so it's worth calling ahead, especially at Costco and Sam's Club, where photo center hours have been cut back at a lot of stores.
How much do passport photos cost at these stores?
It typically runs somewhere between $8 and $17 for a set of two photos, depending on the retailer and your location. AAA members sometimes get it free or discounted. Prices change often enough that it's worth a quick call or a look at the store's website before you go, rather than assuming a number from a search result.
Can I just print a passport photo myself at home?
Yes, as long as you have a printer capable of real photo-paper output at the right resolution. Most home inkjet printers can manage this. The catch is the paper: it needs to be actual photo stock, not plain printer paper, or the print quality usually isn't good enough to pass.
Is it cheaper to crop my own photo and print it, versus a photo studio?
Usually, yes. A studio visit or an in-store photo session often costs more than printing a photo you've already cropped yourself, since you're only paying for the print, not a sitting fee on top of it.
Do print shops check if my photo meets passport requirements?
Most don't. They print what you hand them at the size you ask for. Making sure the photo itself meets your country's size, background, and framing rules is on you, before it ever reaches the counter.