Staples Passport Photos: Does Staples Take or Print Them?
Yes — Staples takes passport photos in-store, no appointment needed, and offers three pricing tiers: Print Only ($19.99, two prints), Digital Only ($21.99, USB file), or the Digital & Print Bundle ($24.99, both).
Quick Answer
Yes — Staples takes passport photos in-store, no appointment needed, and offers three pricing tiers: Print Only ($19.99, two prints), Digital Only ($21.99, USB file), or the Digital & Print Bundle ($24.99, both). What most guides don't mention: you can order and pay online first, then just show up with your confirmation email so the in-store associate can take your photo — skipping the in-store checkout step entirely.
Staples Passport Photo Pricing
| Package | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Print Only | $19.99 | Two printed 2×2 inch photos (additional copies $5.99 each) |
| Digital Only | $21.99 | Digital file saved to a USB drive |
| Digital & Print Bundle | $24.99 | Two printed photos + digital file on USB |
Photos are typically ready within about 10 minutes, and Staples guarantees compliance with U.S. State Department requirements — if a photo is rejected, they'll retake it for free.
Does Staples Actually Take the Photo, or Just Print It?
Both. A Staples associate photographs you in-store using their passport photo system — you're not just printing a photo you already have. That said, if you already have a compliant digital photo (from a home setup or an online tool), Staples can also just print it for you, which is typically cheaper than the full in-store session.
How to Order Ahead (The Part Most Guides Skip)
Staples lets you choose your package and pay online before you go, through their passport and visa photo services page. You select Print Only, Digital Only, or the bundle, complete the order, and bring your confirmation email to any Staples location — the associate uses that to process your photo on the spot. This shortens your actual in-store time since the payment and package selection are already done.
What to Bring
- A valid photo ID (helpful, though not always required just for the photo itself)
- Your order confirmation email, if you paid online in advance
- No appointment — just walk in during store hours, which vary by location
Staples vs. Other Options
| Staples | Walmart | CVS/Walgreens | Online tool (e.g. PhotoOmni) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99–$24.99 | ~$7.64 | ~$16.99–$17.99 | Typically lower |
| Photo taken by | Employee, in-store | Self-service kiosk | Employee, in-store | You, at home |
| Digital copy included | Yes (Digital or Bundle) | Usually no | Sometimes | Yes |
| Appointment | No | No | No | N/A |
| Guarantee/retake | Free retake | Varies | Varies | Varies |
Skip the Store Trip Entirely
If the main thing you need is a compliant digital photo — say, for an online passport renewal or a visa upload — you don't need to drive to Staples at all. PhotoOmni checks your photo against official requirements and generates both a print-ready file and a properly sized digital copy from a photo you take on your own phone, in about a minute.
👉 Create your passport photo with PhotoOmni — no store visit required.
FAQ
Does Staples offer passport photos online, without visiting a store? You can order and pay for your package online, but the photo itself is still taken in-store by an associate — Staples doesn't offer a fully remote photo-taking service.
How long does it take at Staples? Most photos are printed or saved to USB within about 10 minutes of being taken.
What if my Staples passport photo gets rejected? Staples guarantees compliance and will retake the photo for free if it doesn't meet U.S. State Department requirements.
Can Staples print a photo I already have? Yes — if you bring your own compliant digital photo, Staples can print it, which is often cheaper than the full in-store photo session.