How to Get a Passport Photo Taken: Where to Go and What to Bring

Where you can get a passport photo taken

You can get a passport photo at a pharmacy, a post office, a professional photography studio, or certain retail stores. The most common and fastest option is a pharmacy — CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid all offer passport photos at their photo counters, usually while you wait. Post offices also take passport photos, though wait times vary by location. If you need the photo quickly or want professional quality, an independent photography studio will do the work but may cost more.

Some Costco and Sam's Club locations have photo services, though not all do. Call ahead to confirm they offer passport photos before you go. Walmart photo centers used to offer this service but have largely stopped, so check your local store first.

You do not need an appointment at most pharmacies and retail locations — you can walk in during business hours. Post offices sometimes take walk-ins for passport photos, but some branches ask you to book a time slot. Call your local post office to ask whether they take appointments or walk-ins.

Key Takeaways

• Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens offer passport photos while you wait, usually for $10 to $20.
• Post offices take passport photos but may require you to book a time slot, so call ahead to confirm how your location handles it.
• The photo must meet specific rules: a plain white or off-white background, your full face visible and centered, taken within the last six months, and printed on photo paper.
• Bring a valid ID and know what size you need — 2x2 inches is standard for U.S. passports, though some countries require different dimensions.
• If you are taking the photo yourself or having someone else take it, you can print it at a pharmacy or drugstore photo counter and they will verify it meets the rules before you pay.

What the photo must look like

Your passport photo must have a plain white or off-white background with no patterns, shadows, or other people in the frame. Your face must be centered, clearly visible, and take up between 50 and 70 percent of the photo. You must be looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression — smiling is allowed but not required. The photo must be in color, taken within the last six months, and printed on standard photo paper (not regular printer paper).

Glasses are allowed if you wear them daily, but the lenses cannot reflect light or obscure your eyes. Hats and head coverings are not allowed unless worn for religious reasons, and even then your face must be fully visible from the forehead to the chin. If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, tell the photographer before they take the shot so they know what to expect.

The standard size for a U.S. passport photo is 2 inches by 2 inches. If you are getting a passport for a different country, check that country's requirements first — some use different dimensions. The photographer or pharmacy counter staff can tell you the size requirement if you ask.

How to prepare before you go

Wear clothing that contrasts with the background — dark or bright colors work well against white. Avoid busy patterns or logos. Style your hair the way you normally wear it, and do your makeup or grooming as you usually would. The photo should look like you on an ordinary day, not a special occasion.

Bring a valid ID with you — a driver's license, state ID, or passport card will do. The photographer may ask to see it to confirm your identity, especially if you are getting photos for a minor. If you are getting a photo for a child, bring their birth certificate or another form of ID.

If you are paying out of pocket, bring cash or a card — most pharmacies and post offices take both. Prices range from $10 to $20 at pharmacies and post offices, and $25 to $50 or more at professional studios. Ask the cost before the photo is taken so there are no surprises.

What happens if you take the photo yourself

You can take a passport photo yourself using a smartphone or camera, as long as the photo meets the rules. Use natural light or a lamp to light your face evenly, and have someone hold the camera or use a tripod. Take the photo against a plain white or off-white wall or sheet. Make sure your face is centered and fills the frame the right way.

Once you have the photo on your phone or computer, you can print it at a pharmacy photo counter or drugstore. The staff there will check that it meets passport photo rules before they print it. If it does not meet the rules, they will tell you what needs to change — you can retake it and come back. This route costs less than having a photographer take the shot, but it takes more time because you have to get it right yourself.

Do not use a photo filter, edit the image, or change the lighting in software. The photo must be unaltered except for basic adjustments like cropping to size. If you use a filter or edit the image, it will not pass the check at the pharmacy counter.

Passport photos for children and infants

Children can have their passport photos taken at the same places as adults — pharmacies, post offices, and studios. The rules are the same: plain background, centered face, neutral expression. For infants and very young children, the photographer will do their best to get a clear shot, but you may need to try more than once. Some photographers are experienced with young children and can work faster.

If your child wears glasses or a hearing aid, those can stay on in the photo. If your child has a medical device like a feeding tube, it should not be visible in the photo — ask the photographer how to position your child to keep it out of frame.

For a child under 16, you will need to bring the child and at least one parent or guardian with a valid ID. Some locations ask you to bring the child's birth certificate as well. Call ahead to ask what documents your local pharmacy or post office needs.

How long it takes and what to expect

At a pharmacy, the photo is usually taken and printed while you wait — typically 10 to 15 minutes from the time you arrive at the photo counter. At a post office, the wait depends on how busy the location is and whether you have an appointment. Professional studios may take longer because they do more editing and quality checks, but they will tell you the timeline when you call.

When you arrive, tell the staff member that you need a passport photo. They will ask you to stand in front of the background, position your face, and take the shot. If the photo does not meet the rules, they will take another one at no extra cost. Once the photo passes the check, they will print it and you can pay.

Most places print multiple copies — ask how many you get for the price. You typically receive 4 to 6 prints of the same photo. Keep the extras in case you need them later or in case one gets damaged.

What to do if the photo does not meet the rules

If you submit a passport photo and the government office rejects it, you will need to get a new one taken. Common reasons for rejection are a background that is not plain white, a face that is too small or too large in the frame, red-eye, or shadows on the face. If your photo is rejected, the office will tell you what the problem is.

Go back to the pharmacy or studio and explain what was wrong. Ask them to retake the photo and fix the specific issue — better lighting, a different angle, a closer crop, or a different background. Most places will retake the photo for free if it was their mistake. If you took the photo yourself, retake it with the feedback in mind and bring it back to the pharmacy counter to print.

Keep the receipt from your photo purchase in case you need to prove you paid for it or return for a free retake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I wear makeup or nail polish in my passport photo?

Yes. Wear makeup and nail polish the way you normally do. The photo should look like you on an everyday basis, so if you always wear makeup, wear it for the photo. If you do not usually wear makeup, do not wear it just for the photo.

What if I do not have a plain white background at home?

Use a white sheet, poster board, or bedsheet hung on a wall or held by someone behind you. Make sure the background is smooth with no wrinkles or shadows. If you cannot get a plain background at home, go to a pharmacy or post office instead — they have the background set up and ready.

Do I need to make an appointment or can I just walk in?

Most pharmacies take walk-ins during business hours. Post offices vary — some take walk-ins and some require you to book a time slot. Call your local post office to ask. Professional studios usually ask you to call ahead, but some take walk-ins if they are not busy.

How much does a passport photo cost?

Pharmacy and post office photos cost $10 to $20. Professional photography studios charge $25 to $50 or more. Prices vary by location and whether you get digital copies or prints only. Ask the cost before the photo is taken.

Can I use a photo from social media or a professional headshot?

No. The photo must be taken specifically for your passport, within the last six months, and meet the passport photo rules. A headshot or social media photo will not work because it may have the wrong background, wrong size, or wrong lighting. You must get a new photo taken.