USPS Passport Photos & Post Office Passport Services: Price, Appointments and Fees
Find a USPS passport acceptance location, book an appointment, understand current DS-11 fees and prepare the right documents and passport photo.
Post Office Passport Services Near Me: Applications, Appointments, Fees & Photos
Last checked: September 17, 2026
Quick Answer
Many USPS locations serve as passport acceptance facilities, but ordinary “post office near me” results do not prove that a branch handles passports. Use the official USPS scheduler, select passport service and confirm whether the location also takes photos. A first-time adult passport book currently costs $130 to the Department of State plus a separate $35 acceptance fee. USPS charges another $15 if you use its photo service. The post office accepts and forwards the application; the Department of State issues the passport.
If you prefer to prepare the file online, the US passport photo maker can help check the crop, background, and passport-photo format before submission.
How to Find the Correct Post Office
- Open the official USPS passport appointment page.
- Choose a first-time passport appointment, an appointment with photo service or photo service only.
- Enter your ZIP code and select a participating location.
- Check the appointment time, services and payment instructions.
Do not assume the closest post office participates. If USPS has no convenient opening, use the Department of State acceptance-facility search for libraries, clerks of court and other authorized sites.
A US passport photo maker can apply these dimensions and formatting checks to the uploaded photo.
What USPS Does—and Does Not Do
At a DS-11 appointment, the acceptance agent checks your identity and citizenship evidence, administers the oath, witnesses your signature and sends the package to the Department of State. USPS does not approve the application or issue the passport.
If you are eligible to renew by mail or online, you may not need an acceptance appointment. Read DS-82 vs. DS-11 before booking and see whether you can renew a passport at the post office.
Current Fees
| Item | Paid to | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Adult first-time passport book | U.S. Department of State | $130 |
| Child passport book, under 16 | U.S. Department of State | $100 |
| Acceptance/execution fee | Acceptance facility | $35 |
| USPS passport photo | USPS, if selected | $15 |
| Expedited service | U.S. Department of State | $60 additional |
Application and acceptance fees are normally separate payments. Verify payment methods in the appointment confirmation and use the official fee calculator for book-and-card combinations. Our U.S. passport cost guide explains the totals in more detail.
Documents to Bring
- Completed DS-11, unsigned until the acceptance agent tells you to sign.
- Original or certified evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy.
- Acceptable photo identification and a photocopy of the front and back.
- One compliant 2 × 2 inch color passport photo, unless the appointment includes USPS photo service.
- Separate payments in the accepted forms.
Requirements vary by age and situation. Applicants under 16 generally need both parents or guardians to appear, unless approved documentation covers an absent parent. Consult the official instructions rather than relying only on a checklist.
Can You Renew at the Post Office?
Eligible adults usually renew with DS-82 by mail or online and do not need an acceptance appointment. A person who is not eligible for DS-82 must generally use DS-11 in person. USPS can sell postage or accept an eligible renewal mailing, but mailing a renewal is different from having a post office adjudicate it.
Passport Photos at USPS
USPS lists a $15 photo fee at participating locations. Select photo service when booking; availability is not automatic at every passport facility. USPS photos are intended for paper applications and normally do not include a reusable digital file.
You may bring your own compliant photo. Compare the post office passport photo price, review where to get 2×2 passport photos, and check the official rules before printing.
Urgent Travel
A standard post office cannot issue a same-day passport. If you are traveling internationally within 14 calendar days—or need a foreign visa within 28 days—you may qualify for an appointment at a passport agency or center. An appointment and proof of travel are required, and same-day issuance is not guaranteed.
FAQ
Does every post office offer passport services?
No. Only participating locations accept passport applications, and photo service may be available at a smaller subset.
Do I need an appointment?
USPS asks customers to schedule first-time passport and photo services through its online scheduler, a lobby kiosk or a retail counter. Special passport fairs may accept walk-ins.
How much does a first-time adult passport book cost at USPS?
The current total before optional services is $165: a $130 application fee and a separate $35 acceptance fee. Add $15 if USPS takes the photo.
Can a post office issue a same-day passport?
No. USPS is an acceptance facility, not an issuing agency. Urgent cases must follow Department of State passport-agency procedures.
Bottom Line
Use the USPS scheduler instead of a generic map search, select the exact service and bring every original, copy, photo and payment required. Preparing a compliant photo in advance can remove the $15 photo fee and one potential delay, but it does not change the passport processing time.
Sources
- USPS passport appointments and photo services
- U.S. Department of State passport fees
- U.S. Department of State adult passport application
- Urgent passport service
USPS Passport Photos: Price, Appointment and Digital Copy
USPS passport photos generally cost $15 for two printed 2×2-inch photos at participating Post Office locations. Photo service is not available at every location, and a passport appointment does not automatically mean that the selected branch takes photos. Check the location details in the USPS appointment scheduler before you travel.
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Does the Post Office take passport photos? | Many participating passport acceptance locations do, but not every branch. |
| How much are USPS passport photos? | Typically $15 for two printed photos. |
| Do I need an appointment? | Usually yes when the photo is taken as part of a passport application appointment. |
| Does USPS provide a digital passport photo? | A downloadable digital file is not normally included. |
| Can I bring my own photo? | Yes, if it meets the current U.S. passport-photo requirements. |
USPS Photo Service vs Bringing Your Own Photo
Using the Post Office is convenient when you want the photo and application checked in one visit. Bringing a compliant photo can lower the total cost and gives you more control over retakes. A digital-first service is also more practical when you need the same image for online renewal or want extra prints later.
Before your appointment, confirm the exact location, service type, photo availability and accepted payment methods. Bring a recent 2×2-inch color photo if the branch does not offer photography or if you prefer to prepare it in advance.
USPS Passport Photo FAQ
Are USPS passport photos guaranteed to be accepted?
No provider can guarantee government acceptance. The image must still meet the State Department's requirements for size, background, lighting, expression and recency.
Can I get passport photos at a Post Office without applying there?
Availability varies by location. The USPS scheduler is the most reliable way to check the exact services offered by a branch.
Is a Post Office passport photo the same size as a CVS or Walmart photo?
For a U.S. passport, the finished prints should all be 2×2 inches. Price, digital-file availability and retake policies differ by provider.
About the Author
PhotoOmni Editorial Team
The PhotoOmni Editorial Team researches official passport, visa, immigration, and identity-photo requirements. Every guide is reviewed for practical accuracy and updated when application rules, upload specifications, or government guidance change.