Walgreens charges $16.99 for their in-store passport photo service as of 2026. But if you already have a compliant passport photo, you can print it at any Walgreens for $0.39 — the cost of a standard 4x6 photo print. This guide covers the self-print method step by step.
Printing is the last step of a renewal, not the first. If you have not dealt with the application yet, things to know before your passport renewal covers the form, the eligibility rules that decide whether you can renew by mail at all, and how long the whole thing takes.
How It Works
A standard passport photo print file is a 4x6 inch image containing two 2x2 inch passport photos arranged on a single sheet. Instead of paying $16.99 for Walgreens to take and print the photo, you upload this file to Walgreens as a regular photo print order. The result is the same — two passport-sized photos on glossy paper — for a fraction of the price.
The file you download from uspassportphoto.com is already formatted this way. It meets U.S. State Department specifications for size, positioning, and resolution.
What You Need
- A 4x6 passport photo print file saved to your phone or computer. This is the file you download after creating your photo on uspassportphoto.com. (Need to take the photo first? See our guide on how to take a passport photo.)
- A Walgreens account (free — you can create one during checkout).
The process takes about 5 minutes online, then about an hour for Walgreens to prepare your print.
Step-by-Step: Print a Passport Photo at Walgreens
Step 1: Go to Walgreens Photo Prints
Open photo.walgreens.com in your browser. Navigate to Prints and select 4x6 Prints.
Make sure Same Day Pickup is selected so you can pick up your print today.
Step 2: Upload Your File
Click the upload area to add your 4x6 passport photo file. Walgreens accepts uploads from several sources:
- From your device (phone or computer)
- From Google Photos (connect your account)
- From Dropbox (connect your account)
The file is already sized to exactly 4x6 inches at 300 DPI. It will fill the print area perfectly — no cropping or adjusting needed.
Step 3: Select Glossy Finish
When prompted for paper options, select glossy finish.
The U.S. State Department requires passport photos to be printed on glossy or semi-glossy paper. Walgreens offers both glossy and matte — always choose glossy for passport photos. Matte-finish photos can be rejected.
Step 4: Choose Your Walgreens Store
Select the Walgreens location nearest to you for pickup. With over 8,000 stores in the U.S., there’s likely one within a few miles.
Same-day pickup is free and prints are typically ready within 1 hour. Orders need to be placed before 5 PM local time for same-day availability. After 5 PM, the print will be ready the next day.
Step 5: Check Out
Review your order and complete checkout.
Your total: $0.39 + tax.
Walgreens will send an email or text notification when the print is ready.
Step 6: Pick Up and Cut
Pick up the print from the photo counter at your selected store. The 4x6 sheet will have your 2x2 passport photos arranged on it.
Cut out the individual photos along the printed guides. A paper cutter or craft knife with a ruler gives the cleanest edges, but scissors work fine — just cut in a straight line.
Using the Walgreens App
The Walgreens app (iOS, Android) offers the same photo printing service with a slightly faster workflow on mobile.
- Open the app and go to Photo
- Select Prints, then 4x6
- Upload the passport photo file from your phone, Google Photos, or Dropbox
- Choose glossy finish and your pickup store
- Check out for $0.39
The app is particularly useful for uploading directly from cloud storage without downloading the file first, or for ordering on the spot while already at the store.
Walgreens In-Store Passport Photo Alternatives
Walgreens also offers two other ways to get passport photos for those who don’t yet have a photo file.
In-store service ($16.99). A store associate takes your photo, checks it for compliance, and prints two 2x2 photos. Walgreens includes a free digital copy — emailed to you for use with online passport applications. Additional sets cost $4.99. No appointment is needed; just walk in during photo counter hours (typically 9 AM to 9 PM).
Self-service kiosk ($16.99). Most Walgreens locations have photo kiosks near the counter. The kiosk guides you through taking and printing your photo. Same price and output as the associate-assisted service.
Both options cost $16.99, compared to $7.39 total for the self-print method ($7 for the photo + $0.39 for the print).
Pricing Comparison Across Retailers (2026)
| Store | Full-Service Price | Self-Print Total | Digital Copy Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walgreens | $16.99 | $7.39 ($7 photo + $0.39 print) | Yes (free with full service) |
| CVS | $17.99 | $7.42 ($7 photo + $0.42 print) | No ($3.99 extra) |
| Walmart | $7.64 | $7.18 ($7 photo + $0.18 print) | Varies (matte only for 1-hour pickup) |
| USPS | $15.00 | N/A | No |
The self-print total includes creating the photo on uspassportphoto.com ($7) plus the retailer’s standard 4x6 print price. The print file works at any of these stores — upload, select glossy paper, and print. For detailed CVS instructions, see our CVS passport photo printing guide. For a full comparison of all three stores, see our Walmart vs CVS vs Walgreens price comparison.
Tips for Printing at Walgreens
- Upload the original file. Do not screenshot, crop, or resize it. The file is formatted to exact State Department specifications. Any modification will alter the measurements.
- Glossy paper only. Matte prints are a common reason for passport photo rejection. Always select glossy when ordering.
- Order before 5 PM. Same-day pickup at Walgreens requires orders to be placed before 5 PM local time.
- Print an extra copy. At $0.39 per sheet, printing two is worth it. Extra photos are useful for visa applications, renewals, or replacements.
- Inspect the print before leaving. Verify the print is not smudged, faded, or cropped. Walgreens will reprint at no charge if the output does not match the uploaded file.
Walgreens Passport Photo: Key Details
Pricing. The Walgreens in-store passport photo service costs $16.99 for two 2x2 prints and includes a free digital copy (source: walgreens.com). Additional sets cost $4.99. Printing a 4x6 passport photo file as a standard photo print costs $0.39.
Digital copies. Walgreens includes a free digital copy with its $16.99 service, emailed directly after the photo is taken. With the self-print method, the digital file is already in hand — it’s the same file used to order the print.
Upload options. Walgreens accepts photo uploads from your device, Google Photos, and Dropbox. This applies to both the website (photo.walgreens.com) and the mobile app.
Same-day pickup. Available at all 8,000+ Walgreens locations with photo printing. Orders placed before 5 PM local time are typically ready within 1 hour. Orders placed after 5 PM are ready the next day.
Paper options. Walgreens offers glossy and matte finishes for photo prints. For passport photos, glossy is required. The U.S. State Department specifies glossy or semi-glossy paper; matte prints may be rejected.
Appointments. Not required. Walk-in service is available at all locations during photo counter hours (typically 9 AM to 9 PM). The self-print method does not require any interaction with the photo counter — order online and pick up the print.
Walgreens app. The Walgreens mobile app (iOS and Android) supports the same photo printing workflow as the website, including uploads from Google Photos and Dropbox.
Walgreens vs. CVS. Walgreens is slightly cheaper for full-service photos ($16.99 vs. $17.99) and includes a free digital copy that CVS charges $3.99 for. For self-printing, Walgreens is $0.39 per print compared to $0.42 at CVS. Both produce the same quality output on glossy paper.
Summary
- Download the 4x6 passport photo file from uspassportphoto.com
- Go to photo.walgreens.com
- Upload the file as a 4x6 same-day print
- Select glossy finish
- Choose the nearest Walgreens store
- Pay $0.39 + tax
- Pick up in about an hour and cut out the photos
Total cost: $0.39 for the print. Total time: about 5 minutes online + 1 hour wait.
Prices last verified March 2026 at photo.walgreens.com.