A passport photo costs $17.99 at CVS. Or you can create one with uspassportphoto.com for $7, print it at any store for as little as 18 cents, and get the same professional result. This guide compares your options and shows why printing your own is the easiest, most affordable approach.
Worth knowing before you compare stores: the photo is the cheap, fast part. The application behind it is measured in weeks. Things to know before your passport renewal covers processing times, the eligibility rules on form DS-82, and when renewing online removes the paperwork altogether. For the photo specifically, passport photo cost in 2026 breaks down every option side by side, including USPS.
The Self-Print Advantage
Why pay $17.99 when you can get the same result for under $8?
Here’s how it works:
- Upload your photo to uspassportphoto.com
- We process it — automatic cropping, background, sizing, and compliance checks
- Download your print-ready file — formatted to fit a standard 4x6 photo print
- Print at any store — Walmart ($0.18), Walgreens ($0.39), or CVS ($0.42)
Total cost: $7.18 to $7.39 — compared to $7.64 to $17.99 for full-service.
The price difference is just cents between stores. What matters is convenience — print at whichever store is closest to you.
Price Comparison (2026)
| Option | Cost Breakdown | Total | Same-Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-print at Walmart | $7 photo + $0.18 print | $7.18 | Matte only |
| Self-print at CVS | $7 photo + $0.42 print | $7.42 | Yes |
| Self-print at Walgreens | $7 photo + $0.39 print | $7.39 | Yes |
| Walmart full-service | — | $7.64 | Varies |
| Walgreens full-service | — | $16.99 | Yes |
| CVS full-service | — | $17.99 | Yes |
Self-print gives you professional results at the lowest price — and you keep a digital copy for online applications or future renewals.
Why Self-Print Is the Easiest Option
No Store Visit Until You’re Ready
With full-service, you go to the store, wait for an associate, stand in front of the camera, hope the lighting is good, and wait for the print. If the photo looks bad, you’re stuck with it or paying again.
With self-print, you take the photo at home where you control the lighting. Our service checks your photo for compliance issues before you pay. You only visit the store to pick up a print that’s already perfect.
Take As Many Attempts As Needed
At home, you can take 20 photos and pick the best one. At CVS, you get one shot with store lighting and a hurried associate.
Keep Your Digital Copy
Full-service at CVS doesn’t include a digital copy — that’s $3.99 extra. Walgreens includes it, but only with their $16.99 service.
With self-print, you already have the digital file. Use it for online passport applications, visa forms, or ID cards. Print more copies anytime for just cents.
Print Extras for Almost Nothing
Each 4x6 print includes two 2x2 passport photos — one person per sheet. At $0.18 to $0.39 per print, ordering two or three sheets per person is smart. If you make a mistake cutting (it happens), both photos on that sheet could be ruined. A few extra cents now saves another trip to the store later.
Quality You Can Trust
Our processing meets U.S. State Department requirements:
- Exact 2x2 inch dimensions — measured precisely to specification
- Proper head size — 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head
- Centered and aligned — eyes positioned at the correct height
- White or off-white background — compliant with requirements
- Print-ready file — 300 DPI, formatted for standard 4x6 photo paper
The same standards apply whether you’re printing at Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens. Select glossy paper and the output meets official requirements — but note that Walmart offers glossy only on home delivery, not on 1-hour pickup.
Family Savings Add Up Fast
Passport photos are often a family expense — renewals tend to happen together.
| Family Size | CVS Full-Service | Walgreens Full-Service | Self-Print |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $17.99 | $16.99 | $7.18-7.39 |
| 2 people | $35.98 | $33.98 | $14.32-14.78 |
| 4 people | $71.96 | $67.96 | $28.64-29.56 |
A family of four saves over $38 compared to Walgreens and $42 compared to CVS.
How to Print at Each Store
The process is nearly identical at all three stores. Here’s a quick overview:
Walmart ($0.18 per print)
- Go to photos3.walmart.com
- Select Prints → 4x6 Prints
- Upload your file from uspassportphoto.com
- Choose Home Delivery — see the warning below before picking 1-Hour Pickup
- Choose glossy paper
- Cut along the guides when it arrives
Walmart’s 1-hour pickup is matte only. Its own pricing chart states that 1-Hour Pickup is “Available in Matte only”, and that glossy is offered on Home Delivery, which ships in 5 to 8 days. Since the State Department asks for glossy or semi-glossy paper, Walmart’s cheapest and fastest option is the one you cannot use for a passport photo. If you need the print today, use CVS or Walgreens — both offer glossy for same-day pickup.
CVS ($0.42 per print)
- Go to cvs.com/photo
- Select Prints → 4x6 Prints
- Upload your file
- Choose glossy paper
- Select same-day pickup
- Pick up (usually ready within 1 hour) and cut
CVS has 9,000+ locations and reliable same-day pickup. See our detailed CVS printing guide for step-by-step instructions.
Walgreens ($0.39 per print)
- Go to photo.walgreens.com
- Select Prints → 4x6 Prints
- Upload your file
- Choose glossy paper
- Select same-day pickup
- Pick up (usually ready within 1 hour) and cut
Walgreens has 8,000+ locations with consistent same-day availability. See our detailed Walgreens printing guide for step-by-step instructions.
Tips for Best Results
-
Always select glossy paper. The U.S. State Department requires glossy or semi-glossy finish. Matte photos can be rejected.
-
Upload the original file. Do not screenshot, crop, or resize the 4x6 file. It’s formatted to exact specifications — any modification will alter the measurements.
-
Check same-day availability. CVS and Walgreens are reliable. Walmart varies by location.
-
Inspect the print before leaving. Check for smudges, color issues, or cropping problems. All three stores will reprint at no charge if there’s a quality issue.
-
Print a few extra sheets. Each 4x6 sheet gives you two 2x2 passport photos. At $0.18-0.39 per sheet, ordering two or three sheets per person is smart. If you make a mistake cutting — and it happens — both photos on that sheet could be ruined. A few extra cents now saves another trip later. Extra photos are also useful for visa applications, ID cards, or future renewals.
When Full-Service Makes Sense
Full-service might be right for you if:
- You don’t have a smartphone or camera
- You need photos in the next 30 minutes and can’t wait for a print order
- You prefer not to handle any of the process yourself
But for most people, self-print is faster (no waiting for a store associate), cheaper ($7.18-7.39 vs. up to $17.99), and produces the same compliant result.
Key Questions
Which store has the cheapest prints? Walmart at $0.18, followed by CVS ($0.42) and Walgreens ($0.39). The difference is just 24 cents — choose based on convenience.
How long does printing take? CVS and Walgreens typically have same-day prints ready within one hour, in glossy. Walmart offers 1-hour pickup in matte only, so its same-day option is not suitable for passport photos.
Do I need a digital copy? If you’re applying online (which most passport applications now support), yes. With self-print, you already have it. CVS charges $3.99 extra for digital; Walgreens includes it only with their $16.99 full-service option.
Can I print at home instead? Yes, if you have a photo printer and glossy photo paper. But most home printers don’t match the quality of store prints, and glossy photo paper costs more than $0.18-0.39 per sheet. Store printing is usually the better choice.
What if my passport photo is rejected? With our service, you can re-process for free if your photo doesn’t pass State Department review. Upload a new source photo and try again — no additional charge.
Summary
| Option | Total Cost | Ease | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-print | $7.18-7.39 | Easy — take photo at home, print anywhere | Professional — meets all requirements |
| Walmart full-service | $7.64 | Moderate — depends on store availability | Standard |
| Walgreens full-service | $16.99 | Easy — includes digital copy | Standard |
| CVS full-service | $17.99 | Easy — most locations | Standard |
Self-print offers the best combination of low cost, convenience, and quality. Take the photo on your terms, process it with uspassportphoto.com, and print at any store for under $8 total.
Sources
Prices verified directly from official retailer websites:
- CVS Passport Photos — $17.99 full-service, $3.99 digital copy
- Walgreens Passport Photos — $16.99 full-service with free digital copy
- Walmart Passport Photos — $7.64 full-service
- CVS Photo Prints — From $0.42 per 4x6
- Walgreens Photo Prints — $0.39 per 4x6
- Walmart Photo Prints — $0.18 per 4x6
Prices last verified March 2026.