Where To Get a Passport Photo?

Your passport is something incredibly important to keep on top of, especially if you are a jet setter or fly a lot for work. Even if you simply enjoy one annual vacation exploring a completely different city, culture, and continent.

But where to get a passport photo taken?

It’s probably been a while since you’ve had to get one done, as passports last for ten years in the U.S.

So, I decided to take a look at where you can get your new passport photo taken. As well as the most up-to-date requirements needed for it to be accepted.

And trust me, do not skip that bit…

Unless you want to risk going to get it done twice!

Places You Can Get A Passport Photo

When you need to get a new passport photo, you’ll have to go to a professional. Unfortunately, the US Government doesn’t accept any random photo you’ve taken of yourself, no matter how great you look in it!

So no selfies people!

There are specific criteria that must be met for it to be suitable for your application, which we will take you through a little later.

Right now, let’s focus on where to get a passport photo done right, the first time, and list all of the places that offer this incredibly important service.

The United States Post Office

The USPS is a great place to get your passport photos taken.

Why?

Not only do they offer photo services in most of their locations, but they can also help with first-time applications and renewals. Plus, they will assist you to expedite your applications when you have completed them to ensure it arrives at the destination quickly and with tracking.

They can also help with expediting when your passport is made and ready to be sent back to you.

Pharmacies

Photo services have always been offered in big-name pharmacies across the United States, so think Walgreens or CVS. At Walgreens, they promise that in one hour or less, they will provide two perfectly sized, professional-quality passport photos that will meet U.S. government requirements. As stated on the U.S. Department of State’s website.

Walgreens also promises the use of advanced biometric tools, to ensure you’ll never have any problems with it no matter where you travel. The CVS photo services offer something similar.

Independent Mailstores

You will find most shipping companies offer this type of service, including well-known companies like FedEx Offices and UPS Stores. You can also get it done at smaller, lesser-known businesses like Postal Annex locations and AIM Mail Centers.

Big Box Stores

Walmart offers both printing of digitized photos, as well as actual photograph services. Target used to offer the services, but they have now passed the photo side of its business onto its partner company Ezprints, which can be accessed online here.

As always, it is best to double-check that your closest store offers the services you need before making a trip.

Independent small businesses

There are also many small and local mom-and-pop style stores that offer passport photo facilities. Places that print films and do photocopying, like Fuji and other business centers.

Pro Tips for Using Any Passport Photo Service

It is important to call ahead to make sure your place of choice is open, offers the services you need, accepts walk in’s, or to book an appointment slot.

You don’t want to arrive there ready to go, only to find out they don’t offer the service at that particular location or that they are fully booked out.

What Should I Wear?

To get your passport photo done, it’s always best to wear smart casual clothing and something fairly dark in color. That way, there will be a good amount of contrast with the white colored background needed for your picture.

Uniforms are not permitted.

What About Hair, Accessories, and Makeup?

Make sure your hair is neat and tidy, with long hair tied back off the face or set behind your shoulders. Don’t wear a hat, sunglasses or scarf, or any other type of headwear.

Also, make sure your makeup is quite natural and not a fully made-up look you’d usually wear on a night out. Plus, you’ll have to remove your prescription glasses while the picture is being taken.

What about traditional headdresses?

If you wear a scarf or similar for religious reasons, you are permitted to wear this; you’ll just need to take some sort of written confirmation with you.

What Are The Specific Passport Photo Requirements?

To ensure you are keeping up with the most up-to-date passport photo requirements, you’ll need to comply with the following checklist:

It Must Be In Color

No black and white or sepia-tone photos here, folks. Your photo must be in regular color so as to really see your features, including hair color, eye color, and skin tone. It also helps bring out the texture of your hair or any defining features like freckles, moles, or even discoloration on your skin. This can aid in the identification process.

Needs To Be Of A Certain Size

Your passport photo must be made to a specific size, too big or too small, and it will not be accepted. The sizing needed is 2 inches by 2 inches (2 x 2” or 5 x 5 cm.)

Must Be Current

Your passport photo needs to be current, which means it has to have been taken within the last six months. Ensuring you have the same sort of hairstyle and coloring, and you look similar in the flesh to how you do in your photo.

All about the Background

The background of your photo must be a solid color of white or off-white. No patterns, pictures, or other colors are acceptable. But don’t worry, the places that do passport photos usually know this and use professional backgrounds for this reason.

No Glasses, Hats, or Headwear

Your hair can’t be obscuring any part of your face, and to reiterate, you can’t wear glasses, prescription, or otherwise. You also can not wear a hat, scarf, headband, etc. Or anything that obscures your hair or hairline, unless it is something worn each and every day for religious reasons.

If you have something like an eye patch or hearing aid, which is something used as a daily part of life, then you are permitted to wear this for your passport photo. You will just need to have an accompanying letter from your medical provider. In the instance of headscarves for religious reasons, the same rule of needing a letter applies.

Wigs Are Accepted

If you usually wear a wig and go around in one day to day, then you are allowed to wear it for your passport photo. Just don’t take it off at any border crossings where officials are checking you against your passport photo!

Is it Important How You Look In a Passport Photo?

Well, it is very important to fully follow the guidelines above when having your passport photo taken. We’ve covered what is acceptable to be worn both in terms of clothing and accessories. But how you sit for your photo is also important, along with the look on your face.

Let me explain…

Your picture must be of the front view of your full face. You’ll need to have a fairly neutral expression on your face. You can smile a little; however, your mouth must remain closed and no teeth showing. Also, make sure your eyes are fully open.

Proportions

The size of your head in passport photos is also very important. It must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (2.5 to 3.5 cm) from the bottom of the chin up to the top of the head when measured vertically.

Quality Prints

You need to ensure your passport pic has been printed on thin, good-quality photo paper. You cannot print it on normal paper or cardboard.

No Red Eyes

It is imperative to check your photo before submitting it to ensure you don’t have red eyes in it. Red eye happens when the flash of the camera catches your eyes, and your retina reflects it back. This can normally be avoided by having a bright, well-light place for your photo.

No Editing Allowed

Your passport photo will not be accepted if it has been edited in any way. This includes changing the background, changing the face, removing glasses from the top of the head, etc.

How Much Does A New Passport Photo Cost?

Depending on where you go, the cost of getting your passport photo can vary. Bear in mind that you will need two copies for a passport application. Currently, the price at each of these locations are as follows, but this might change at your specific store location.

With this information in hand, it is clear to see that prices range from around $12 – $17. And this all depends on where you go and what stores are available to you, based on your location.

How Long Does It Take to Get Passport Photos?

Again, the answer to this depends on many factors, but it should take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour if all goes well.

What takes up the most time?

Firstly, it might take a few attempts to get the best-looking photo, which can take 10 minutes or so. Then you will need to wait for the photo to be uploaded into the system and printed out.

Let’s factor in 15 minutes here…

They will then let you see the photos and also cut them out for you. Add on another 5 minutes. Lastly, you will need to factor in how long it may take you to pay. If there are others in front of you, then it could be another three to ten minutes.

Therefore, if all is on schedule, you are usually looking at around 30 minutes as a bare minimum. However, if it is super busy where you are, they are running behind schedule, or your printing is in a queue – Then you are more than likely looking at 45 – 60 minutes.

Running Out of Time to Get Your Passport Photos?

Then, if you already have your ideal store in mind or are looking for other options besides those mentioned, you can find out everything you need to know right here. Browse, per store, through our answers to, Does Walgreens Do Passport Photos, Does CVS Take Passport Photos, Does Costco Take Passport Photos, and Does Walmart Take Passport Photos?

Or simply use our search facility to find out anything you want about any stores in 2023!

Traveling soon?

Then you might also be interested in our answers to other travel-related questions, like, How Do You Cancel a USPS Passport Appointment, Does Airbnb Run Background Checks, or the Best Places to Get Money Orders Near Me? We can even answer stuff like, Can A Felon Get A Passport?

Right, back to today’s passport photo query…

Final Thoughts

As you can see now, there are many places available to go and get a new passport picture taken. Most offer same-day and 1-hour services, and some even offer assistance to help you complete the passport application process!

All will comply with the criteria needed to meet the specifications set out for passport photos by the US Government. But just be sure you are aware of those specifications, as outlined above. This is just to guarantee you won’t have to make a return visit to your photo store.

Happy snapping!