Passport Photo Booths Near Me: Prices, Digital Copies & Online Alternatives
The cheapest passport photo in the U.S. is usually at Walmart (~$7.64 for two prints), while pharmacies like CVS (~$17.99) and Walgreens (~$16.99) cost more but are faster to find.
Quick Answer
The cheapest passport photo in the U.S. is usually at Walmart (~$7.64 for two prints), while pharmacies like CVS (~$17.99) and Walgreens (~$16.99) cost more but are faster to find. The catch almost nobody mentions upfront: most in-store machines print your photo but don't hand you a real digital file — and if you're renewing online via DS-82 or applying for a visa that needs a digital upload, a print-only photo won't work. Check "digital copy included" before you drive anywhere, or skip the trip and take a compliant photo from your phone with PhotoOmni.
Where to Find a Passport Photo Booth or Machine
| Provider | Price (2 prints) | Digital copy included? | Appointment needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart | ~$7.64 | Usually no (print only) | No |
| CVS | ~$17.99 | Sometimes, ask in-store | No |
| Walgreens | ~$16.99 | Sometimes, ask in-store | No |
| FedEx Office | ~$14.95–$15.95 | Yes, digital + print | No |
| UPS Store | ~$11.99 | Varies by location | Often yes |
| USPS (Post Office) | ~$15.00 | No — print only | No |
| Staples | ~$16.99–$24.99 | Varies by location | No |
| AAA (members) | Free–$10.00 | Rarely | No |
| AAA (non-members) | ~$15.00 | Rarely | No |
Note: Costco discontinued passport photo services in 2021 — if an old article or map listing still shows a Costco location, it's outdated.
Machine vs. Staffed Counter: What's the Real Difference?
"Passport photo booth" and "passport photo machine" get used interchangeably, but there are actually two different setups in most U.S. stores:
- Self-service kiosks (found in some pharmacies and shipping stores): You stand against a wall marking, the machine captures the shot, and you print immediately. Fast, but there's no human checking your lighting, shadows, or head position before you pay.
- Staffed photo counters (CVS, Walgreens, FedEx Office, UPS): An employee takes the photo using dedicated passport software that checks sizing and cropping against government specs before printing. More reliable, but you're on their hours and sometimes their line.
Neither type reliably tells you whether your photo will pass State Department review — they check formatting, not things like a shadow from overhead lighting or a slight head tilt, which are common rejection reasons.
The Digital Copy Problem
This is the part most "near me" guides skip entirely: a growing number of applications — passport renewals filed online through DS-82, many visa applications, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck — require you to upload a digital photo file, not a physical print. Walmart, USPS, and many in-store machines are built around printing, not exporting a usable digital file to your phone or email. If you only need a print for a paper DS-11 application, that's fine. If you need a digital file too, confirm it's included before you go, or you may end up paying for two separate photo sessions.
Skip the Trip: Take Your Passport Photo Online
If you'd rather not gamble on store hours, lines, or whether your local machine even offers a digital copy, PhotoOmni lets you take a fully compliant passport photo from your phone in under a minute. It automatically checks background, lighting, cropping, and head positioning against official U.S. requirements, then gives you both a print-ready file and a digital copy sized correctly for online applications — no appointment, no driving, no guessing whether the in-store machine did it right.
👉 Create your passport photo with PhotoOmni — get a print-ready photo and a digital copy in one step.
FAQ
Do I need an appointment for a passport photo at CVS or Walgreens? No — both are walk-in at most locations, though some UPS Store locations do require booking ahead.
Which retailer gives the cheapest passport photo? Walmart is typically the least expensive at around $7.64 for two prints, though it usually doesn't include a digital file.
Can I use a passport photo booth for my baby's photo? It's difficult — infants can't sit upright unsupported for the machine's framing, and most in-store staff aren't trained for the special positioning babies require. A home photo (with someone holding the baby out of frame) is usually easier.
Is Costco still an option for passport photos? No, Costco stopped offering passport photo services in 2021.