Photos checked against official government specifications
Compliant Passport Photo

How much does a US passport photo cost, and where to get one

A US passport photo usually costs about $10-20 in store: roughly $15-17 at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, about $15 at USPS post offices, and around $5-8 at superstores like Walmart (Costco closed its photo centers). You can also take a compliant photo yourself against a plain white wall and check and crop it online for less.

Check your United States passport photo against the official spec → Free check, accepted-or-money-back.

Where to get a US passport photo

Pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens) and post offices offer walk-in passport photos for around $15-17. Walmart photo centers are usually cheapest in store at about $7-8. Costco closed its US photo centers and Rite Aid closed all its stores in 2025, so neither is an option. Prices change, so check locally.

The catch with in-store photos is that rejections still happen for framing, background, or lighting, and you pay again to redo them. Taking your own photo against a plain white wall and validating it against the official spec avoids the repeat trips.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make my own US passport photo for free?

You can take the photo yourself for free against a plain white wall in good light. To be sure it meets the official 2 x 2 inch spec and to get it cropped correctly, use a checker like this one. You only pay when it passes.

Is it cheaper to take a passport photo at home?

Usually yes, especially if you'd otherwise pay $15-17 per attempt at a pharmacy and risk a rejection. Taking it at home and validating it against the spec first avoids paying twice.

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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