How much is a passport photo at the post office?
A passport photo at the post office costs $15.00 as of July 2026, listed on usps.com as the Post Office photo fee. Many USPS locations that accept passport applications also take the photo on site, so you can get the photo and submit your application in one visit. Not every Post Office offers photos, and passport services often require an appointment, so check your location on the USPS scheduler first. The photo fee is separate from the passport application and acceptance fees.
How the USPS photo service works
USPS charges a flat $15.00 for passport photos at the Post Offices that offer them, taken by a clerk and printed on site. The convenience is real if you are applying in person anyway: many passport acceptance Post Offices let you do the photo, the DS-11 form check, and the acceptance in a single appointment. Use the USPS website to find a location that offers both passport acceptance and photo service, and book a slot, since walk-in availability varies.
How much is a passport photo at the post office compared with elsewhere? At $15 it sits between Walmart (about $7-8, see /guides/walmart-passport-photo-cost) and the pharmacies (Walgreens $16.99 at /guides/walgreens-passport-photo-cost, CVS $17.99, as of July 2026). Full side-by-side numbers at /guides/passport-photo-cvs-walgreens-usps-costco.
The cheaper route if you just need the photo
If you are renewing by mail or online and only need the photo, you do not need the $15 service. Take the photo at home against a plain white wall, upload it here for a free check against the official State Department spec (head size, eye position, background, shadows), and print the generated 4x6 sheet at any pharmacy kiosk for about 35 cents. You pay $9 only if your photo passes the check, with a money-back guarantee if it is rejected by the government.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a passport photo at the post office?
$15.00 as of July 2026, per usps.com. The fee is the same nationwide at Post Offices that offer the service.
Do all post offices take passport photos?
No. Photo service is offered at many, not all, of the Post Offices that handle passport applications. Check your location on the USPS passport appointment scheduler before going.
Do I need an appointment for a passport photo at USPS?
For passport services, usually yes. Book through the USPS online scheduler and confirm the location offers photo service.
Is the post office cheaper than CVS or Walgreens for passport photos?
Yes. USPS charges $15.00 versus $16.99 at Walgreens and $17.99 at CVS as of July 2026. Walmart is cheaper at about $7-8, and a DIY 4x6 print costs about 35 cents.
Does USPS email you a digital copy of your passport photo?
No. Unlike Walgreens, which commonly emails a free digital copy on request, USPS passport photo service prints on site and does not provide a digital file. If you need a digital copy for an online renewal, take and check your own photo instead, or ask a pharmacy that offers one.
Now check your photo against the official spec
Free, in your browser, in under a minute. You pay $9 only if it passes, accepted or your money back.
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