William Lipovsky
When applying for a passport, you need to submit a passport photo that meets specific U.S. government regulations.
There are several online and in-store options for getting passport photos taken or printed, including ePassportPhoto.com, the Passport Photo Booth app, The UPS Store, the United States Post Office, and Walmart.
Below, we have the list of where to get passport photos, including details like the cost and the expected wait time.
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When to Get a Passport Photo
As soon as you know you’ll be traveling out of the country, you’ll need to apply for a passport. (Save and print a passport application.)
When you apply, you’ll have to submit two passport photos with your application. Everyone needs to include passport photos with their applications — including infants.
It typically takes four to six weeks for the U.S. Department of State to approve and send you a passport.[1]
In an emergency, you can usually pay an extra fee to have your passport prepared in two to three weeks.
Under certain circumstances, you may also be eligible for an expedited passport from a local passport agency, issued within eight business days.[1]
When to Update Your Passport Photo
Passports expire every ten years. Within those ten years, you don’t need to update your passport photo for small changes to your appearance, such as changing the color of your hair or growing a beard.
If you make significant changes to your appearance, such as significant weight gain or loss, a gender transition, or severe facial trauma or surgery, then you’ll need to apply for a new passport and include an updated photo.[2]
Rules for an Acceptable Passport Photo
According to the U.S. Department of State requirements for a passport photo, your photo must be:[3]
- On glossy or matte photo quality paper
- Two inches by two inches square
- In color — no black and whites
- Taken within the last six months
- Against a white or off-white background
When posing for a picture, it’s your responsibility to wear:
- A neutral expression or a slight smile
- No glasses; if you can’t remove your glasses for medical reasons, you’ll need to include a signed note from your doctor when you submit your application.
- No hats or headdresses unless you wear them for religious reasons and wear them on a normal day
You can find examples of acceptable and unacceptable passport photos on the U.S. Department of State website.
What We Recommend
The best place to get a passport photo online is through ePassportPhoto.com.
The home delivery option from ePassportPhoto.com is more expensive than some of the other websites featured in our list; however, while other online photo services may provide print-at-home photos, store pick-up, or home delivery, ePassportPhoto.com offers all three of these options.
It’s the most flexible of the online passport photo services, and you can use it even if you need your photo immediately.
If you plan to use a print-at-home service, the U.S. Department of State Photo Tool is also a good option.
Like ePassportPhoto.com’s do-it-yourself option, this service is free of charge and has no wait time. Using this tool, you can be sure that your photo will meet the U.S. Department of State’s size regulations.
You’ll need to provide a photo that meets the rest of the passport photo regulations, such as a white background and clear resolution, but the same is true for all other online photo services which allow you to upload your passport photo.
For in-person options, while Sam’s Club offers the best prices, you need a club membership to use the service.
If you’re not a Sam’s Club member, the best in-person option for passport photos is The UPS Store. In addition to having your photo taken, you can ship your application from The UPS Store with options like tracking and guaranteed on-time delivery.
The UPS Store also charges a lower fee for passport photos than FedEx, USPS, and some pharmacy photo departments.
Where to Get Passport Photos Online
If you don’t want to get your picture taken professionally, you can choose to have a friend or family member take your passport photo (no selfies).[3]
Keep in mind, if you take your passport photo yourself, it still has to meet the requirements for an acceptable passport photo.
You can upload the photo to your computer and edit it using one of the following tools.
1. ePassportPhoto.com
- Cost:
- Wait time:
- Get started
2. iVisa
- Cost: About $10 for two prints with free shipping[6]
- Wait time: Around two to four business days; prints are mailed directly to your home address.[7]
- Get started
3. OddPrints.com
- Cost:
- Wait time:
- Print at home: None
- Have pictures mailed to your home: Four to seven business days
- Get started
4. Passport Photo Booth App
- Cost:
- Wait time:
- Get started (iOS)
- Get started (Android)
5. U.S. Department of State Photo Tool
- Cost: None[11]
- Wait time: None; you can save and print your photo immediately.[12] You must still print the photo on matte or glossy photo paper and submit it with your application, and your photo must meet all other passport image requirements, including a white background and neutral expression. If it doesn’t meet these, it will be rejected.
- Get started
6. Walmart
- Cost:
- Wait time:
- Get started
Where to Get Passport Photos in Person
Several businesses will take professional quality passport photos for you that meet the photo requirements noted above.
All of these places will usually print your photos on the spot – often within five to 15 minutes.
24-Hour Options
1. CVS
- Cost: $14.99 for two prints[14]
- Hours: Though many CVS locations (including the photo department) are open 24 hours, it’s best to call ahead to check photo technician availability.
- Find a store
2. Rite Aid
- Cost: $8.99[15]
- Hours: Many Rite Aid locations are open 24 hours, but it’s best to call before visiting to make sure a photo technician will be available to take your passport photos.
- Find a store
3. Walgreens
- Cost: $14.99[16]
- Hours: Many Walgreens stores and photo departments are open 24 hours, but it’s best to call ahead for photo technician availability.
- Find a store
Other Places to Get Passport Photos in Person
4. AAA
- Cost: Minimal fee for regular AAA members; free for Plus and Premier members.[17] Note that you must be a member of AAA to use its passport photo services.
- Hours: Typically, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Check your nearest location for exact hours of operation.
- Find a location
5. FedEx
- Cost: $14.99 for two prints[18]
- Hours: Typically Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Call your nearest store to confirm hours.
- Find a location
6. The UPS Store
- Cost: $11.99[19]
- Hours: Typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Call your nearest location to confirm hours. You can also schedule your passport photo appointment ahead of time.
- Find a location
7. United States Post Office
- Cost: $15[20]
- Hours: Typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. You can schedule your passport photo appointment ahead of time.
- Find a location
8. Sam’s Club
- Cost: $4.96 for two prints;[21] note that store services at Sam’s Club are only open to members.
- Hours: Typically Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Check your local store for exact hours of operation.
- Find a location
9. Colleges and Universities
Because many college students study abroad, many colleges and universities offer passport services, including taking passport photos and submitting passport applications.
Check with your local college or university by contacting the office of student affairs or the study abroad office.
For more about traveling, see our article on how vacation financing works.
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