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How Much Do Passport Photos Cost? 2026 Price Comparison

Drugstore photo counters charge $16–$18 for two small prints. Here is what CVS, Walgreens, The UPS Store, and photo studios charge — and how to get a compliant photo from your phone for $4.99.

Prices checked September 2026 from published provider pricing. In-store prices can vary by location.

Passport Photo Prices at a Glance

ProviderPriceDigital copyWhat you get
PassportPicBest value$4.99IncludedDigital photo in about 60 seconds, from your phone
CVS$17.99+$3.99 extraTwo 2x2″ prints at the in-store photo counter
Walgreens$16.99IncludedTwo 2x2″ prints, usually ready in minutes
The UPS Store$11.99–$13.99Usually not offeredTwo prints; franchise pricing varies, call ahead
Photo studio$15–$30Varies by studioProfessional session, often by appointment

As of September 2026. UPS Store pricing is set per franchise; studio pricing varies widely by city and service level.

$13

saved vs CVS ($17.99), where a digital copy costs another $3.99 on top

$12

saved vs Walgreens ($16.99) — without leaving your couch

60s

from selfie to compliant photo, instead of a trip to a store counter

What You Actually Pay For

At a drugstore counter, most of the price covers the store visit itself: an associate's time, the camera setup, and two small 2x2″ prints. The photo quality is ordinary — a quick snapshot against a pull-down background — and at CVS a digital file for online applications costs extra. The UPS Store is cheaper but franchise-run, so price and availability change from store to store, and you usually get no digital file at all.

PassportPic replaces the store visit with software. You upload a selfie, the AI removes the background, sizes your head position to the official specification of the document you choose, and checks compliance — then you download a correctly formatted digital file. Need prints? The file is sized so you can print it at any photo kiosk or online print service, typically for under a dollar.

Choose a store counter if…

  • You want physical prints handed to you on the spot
  • You would rather have someone else operate the camera
  • But: it costs 2–3x more, needs a trip, and retakes mean going back

Choose PassportPic if…

  • You need a digital file for an online application (renewals, DS-160, visas)
  • You want it done in about a minute, from home, for $4.99
  • You want an acceptance guarantee — full refund if the photo is rejected for not meeting the official specs

Skip the Store. Keep the $13.

Upload a selfie and get a compliant passport or visa photo in under 60 seconds — backed by our acceptance guarantee.

Create My Photo — $4.99

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a passport photo cost at CVS or Walgreens?▾
As of September 2026, CVS charges $17.99 for two printed passport photos, with a digital copy costing an extra $3.99. Walgreens charges $16.99 for two prints and includes a free digital copy by email. Both require a trip to the store. Prices can vary slightly by location.
What is the cheapest way to get a passport photo?▾
Taking the photo yourself is the cheapest route. With PassportPic you upload a phone selfie and pay $4.99 for a compliant, correctly sized digital photo — no store visit, no appointment. If you need physical prints, you can print the file at any pharmacy photo kiosk or online print service, typically for under a dollar.
Do I need printed photos, or is a digital file enough?▾
It depends on how you apply. Online passport renewals and most visa applications (like the US DS-160) require a digital file that meets exact pixel and size specifications. Paper applications require physical prints. PassportPic gives you a compliant digital file you can submit directly or print as many times as you like.
Are online passport photos actually accepted?▾
Yes — governments care that the photo meets their published specifications (size, background, head position, lighting, expression), not where it was taken. PassportPic formats your photo to the official specification of the document you select, and every purchase is covered by an acceptance guarantee: if your photo is rejected for failing to meet the selected document's official specifications, you get a full refund.
Why is PassportPic so much cheaper than the drugstore?▾
Retail photo counters pay for staff time, store space, and printing hardware, so two small prints cost $16–$18. PassportPic is software: AI does the background removal, sizing, and compliance formatting in seconds, so the whole service costs $4.99 — and you keep a reusable digital file instead of just two paper prints.

Check Your Exact Photo Requirements

Whatever you pay, the photo only counts if it meets the official specification. Look up the exact size, background, and rules for your document before you apply.

Browse Photo RequirementsHow PassportPic Works