CVS vs Walgreens vs USPS vs Costco passport photos
CVS and Walgreens charge about $16-17 for a passport photo, USPS about $15, and Costco about $5-6 (membership required). All are walk-in. The trade-off is that if the photo is rejected by the government you pay again to redo it; taking your own and validating it against the spec online first avoids that.
Price comparison
CVS: about $16-17. Walgreens: about $16-17. USPS (post office): about $15. Costco: about $5-6 for members. Sam's Club is similar to Costco. Prices vary by location and change over time, so confirm locally.
The hidden cost is rejection: in-store photos are still turned down for background, framing, or lighting, and you pay again. Checking your own photo against the official spec before you submit avoids the repeat charge — that's what this tool does.
Frequently asked questions
Is CVS or Walgreens cheaper for passport photos?
They're usually about the same, roughly $16-17. Costco is cheaper at about $5-6 but needs a membership.
Does USPS take passport photos?
Yes, many post offices take passport photos for about $15, and you can often get the photo and submit the application in the same visit.
More guides
- Can you wear glasses in a US passport photo?
- US baby & infant passport photo requirements
- US passport photo with a head covering
- How much does a US passport photo cost, and where to get one
- How to take a passport photo at home
- Passport photo size in pixels, inches, mm and cm
- Where to get a passport photo near you
- The cheapest way to get a passport photo
- The best online passport photo tool: what to look for