Where to Take Passport Photos in 2023 [Ultimate Guide]

Searching where to get a passport photo and not getting anywhere?

Look no further! This ultimate guide will walk you through the best in-person and online options for having United States passport photos taken in 2023.

Prepare to smile look natural and say cheese as we explore the various locations and compare their offerings.

Finally, we’ll share some essential tips to ensure you find the best place for your passport pictures.

Or check out these related articles:

• How to Take a Passport Photo at Home [Ultimate Guide]
• Guide To Taking a Passport Photo With iPhone
• How to Take a Passport Photo With an Android Phone?

Here at Passport Photo Online, we tend to believe that the best place for taking a passport photo is your home. In fact, any place will do as long as you have your phone around! Install our Android or iOS app and breeze through the process in minutes.

Where can I get a passport photo in person?

When it comes to taking passport photos in person, there are several options available to you:

• Passport acceptance facilities
• Pharmacies
• Professional photographic studios
• AAA offices
• Commercial shippers
• Walmart
• Photo booths

Whether you prefer a professional touch or require a quick and easy solution (e.g., while shopping), we’ll find a place to meet your needs. Let’s take a closer look at each option:

Passport acceptance facilities

Your safe bets for in-person passport photos include your local:

• County Clerk’s office
• United States Postal Service (USPS) office
• Public library 

However, be sure to double check your local clerk of the court, post office, or library provides passport services by visiting the US Department of State passport acceptance facility finder website, entering your ZIP code, and checking the “Photo On-site” box.

Although most acceptance facilities will require an appointment, many have staff on-site who can assist with filling out your DS-11 application and answer any questions you may have about the process—some even offer expedited services for an additional fee, which can be helpful if you need your passport quickly.

Passport pictures are uniformly priced at $15 per set at all USPS outlets. County Clerk’s offices and libraries have varied pricing, generally in the $12–16 range.

Pros: 

• Consistent quality
• Knowledgeable staff 
• Assistance with application and submission of form DS-11
• Capable of taking baby photos

Cons:

• Appointment required (at most locations) 
• Limited business hours and appointment slots

Pharmacies

Chain pharmacies like: 

• Walgreens
• CVS
• Duane Reade (a Tri-State subsidiary of Walgreens)

often provide passport photo services, and they can be easily found in most neighborhoods.

These locations are typically open late and on weekends, making it easy to fit in a photo session around your busy schedule. Best of all, no appointment is necessary, so you can walk in at any time for a new photo.

All three pharmacy chains have uniform pricing set at $16.99 for two passport-size photos.

Pros: 

• Most locations are open 7 days a week
• Typically, pharmacies have longer store hours than private photography studios
• Speedy service 

Cons:

• Walk-in service only, which may lead to long lines 
• Premium price
• No retakes
• Not all locations offer baby photos

Professional photographic studios

For those who prefer a more personalized experience, professional photography studios can provide high-quality passport photos. Most studios often have experience with passport photos for other countries and will take, process, and develop your passport photos within the hour.

To find your nearest professional studio, type “passport photo near me” into Google with your smartphone’s location services switched on.

Prices for biometric photo services vary greatly (anywhere from single digits to $200+).

Pros:

• Human touch 
• Professional guidance 
• One or two retakes

Cons:

• Travel time 
• 2–3 retakes may not be enough 
• High total cost (gas, photo, time spent)
• Large variations in price and quality

AAA offices

American Automobile Association (AAA) offices often offer travel services, including passport photos for members at a discounted price.

If you’re planning a trip and need a passport picture, it may be worth checking with your local AAA office to see if they offer this service.

In addition to passport photos, AAA can also assist with travel planning, booking flights and hotels, and more.

One set of two standard US passport photos will set AAA Classic members back $8.

Pros: 

• Higher-tiered membership plans (Plus & Premier) are eligible for free passport photos. You’re already paying for it, so you might as well get the most out of your AAA membership

Cons: 

• Initial membership fee required 
• Walk-in service only 
• Still need to leave the house

Commercial shippers

Both FedEx Office and The UPS Store locations can provide future travelers with US passport photos that are the correct size and quality mandated by the US State Department.

While the UPS store requires users to book an appointment in advance and charges customers $11.99 per set, FedEx Office locations offer walk-in passport photo service for $15.

Pros: 

• Consistent, high-quality service 
• Possibility of walk-in service (FedEx Office) or making an appointment (The UPS Store).
• Quick turnaround time

Cons: 

• Limited appointment times (UPS) 
• Inability to book appointments more than one month in advance (UPS)
• Potential for long lines (FedEx Office)
• Travel to physical locations still required

Walmart

No section on in-person passport photo providers would be complete without mentioning Walmart. 

The mega-store chain offers passport photo services at any location with a photo center service—all at a very competitive price point ($7.44 per set).

Using the big-box alternative, customers can get their US passport photos and do their weekly shopping all at the same location.

Pros: 

• Consistent quality for a very competitive price
• Opportunity for one-stop shopping
• Same-day in-store pickup of passport photos made online  

Cons:

• Possibility for crowds and long lines
• Limited retakes
• No compliance guarantee

Pro Tip: Until recently, Target stores also offered in-person passport photos. However, Target’s in-store photo service is no longer available—it’s now entirely online (and under a different name). 

Read more about Walmart passport photos.

Photo booths

Usually located in shopping malls or other areas with high pedestrian traffic, photo booths can provide users with biometric photos for new passport applications and renewals. Nowadays, modern booths are also capable of sending digital prints directly to your email.

Customers can expect to pay around $15 for passport photo prints.

Pros: 

• Multiple photos provided 
• Photos come out in minutes
• Conveniently located in shopping malls

Cons:

• Limited customizations
• Lack of expert assistance
• Possibility of broken machines 

Where can I take a passport photo online?

If getting to an in-person location is not feasible, or if you prefer the convenience of taking your passport photo from home, several online platforms provide this service. Here are some popular online options.

Passport Photo Online

Offers a simple and convenient solution for creating and printing high-quality passport photos from the comfort of your home.

The website allows users to upload photos, while the dedicated applications (available for iOS and Android devices) allow them to snap photos with their smartphone’s camera. The images are then automatically resized and formatted to meet the specific requirements of your country’s passport application.

All that’s left is downloading and printing the photos yourself or having them delivered to your doorstep, all for the low price of {digital=price} + the cost of shipping.

iVisa

Provides a way to take and upload a passport picture that meets the specific requirements of your destination country.

The service costs $9.09 for one photo and includes a review by iVisa’s team of experts to ensure that your photo meets all necessary requirements.

Once approved, you can download the photo and use it for your visa or passport application or opt for physical prints to be delivered.

123passportphoto

Claims to make passport photos that meet the requirements of the United States government.

The service costs $9 and allows users to take their own photos or upload existing pictures to their website. Customers are then offered a digital copy they can print themselves.

The entire process takes only a few minutes, making it a great option for busy travelers.

ePassportPhoto.com

ePassportPhoto.com offers a simple process to take and create passport photos from home.

They provide both free and premium services, with the premium option including a compliance check and removal of shadows and/or red-eye.

Pricing is yet to be determined, given their recent acquisition.

Interested in more passport photo app reviews? Check out this related article:

• What Are The Best Free Passport Photo Tools?

Comparison of passport photo locations

Getting a passport photo can be a daunting task. 

But it doesn’t have to be— 

With so many options available, it’s important to consider various factors before deciding where to get your passport picture taken. Here are some additional details to help you make an informed decision.

Cost

While cost is an important factor, it’s not always the most important. Some places may offer lower prices, but the quality of the photo may not be up to par. Be sure to read the reviews of any private photo studios or mobile apps you’re considering using, as it’s crucial to balance cost with quality when selecting a passport photo provider. 

Convenience

One key metric when it comes to getting your passport picture taken is convenience. If you’d rather not take a passport photo at home, consider a location that is close to your home or workplace or one that is located near other services you require. For example, Walmart offers passport photo services so you can get your groceries and photos all at the same place.

Quality

The quality of your passport picture is essential to ensuring your application gets accepted. Be wary of services that do not adhere to the strict passport photo requirements, as your application can get rejected due to unacceptable passport photos. That’s why it’s important to choose a location or service that has experience in taking passport photos and can guarantee that your photo meets all the necessary quality standards mandated by the Department of State.

Speed

If you’re in a rush, speed may be the most important factor for you. Some locations, such as pharmacies, photo booths, or dedicated photography studios, offer instant prints, which can be a lifesaver if you need your passport photo quickly. However, be prepared to pay a premium for this service, and you may find yourself waiting in line with other customers. 
For the fastest option, upload or snap a digital passport photo at home, then print it on the go using any commercial photo printing service.

Additional services

Some passport photo locations offer additional services that may be useful to you. For example, some online services offer photo retouching or editing, which can help improve the overall quality of your photo. Likewise, using online services grants you the ability to retake your photo as many times as you like.

The option to print passport photos, pick them up in-store, or have them delivered to your home address can also save you time and hassle.

Customer service

Finally, don’t underestimate the importance of good customer service. A friendly and knowledgeable staff can make all the difference when it comes to getting your passport photo taken. Look for locations that have good reviews and a reputation for excellent customer service.

For online applications, look for prompt replies on independent third-party review websites such as Trustpilot, as they are indicative of the caliber of service you can expect to receive using the app.

Also, while online customer service may not be able to welcome you cordially at the door, they will double-check the photo you submit against the government requirements and let you know if it’s all right. 

By considering these factors, you can ensure that you have a smooth and stress-free experience when getting your passport photo taken. Whether you choose an in-person location or an online service, be sure to do your research and choose a location that meets all your needs.

Where to go for a passport photo—tips

Now that you know where to get your passport photo taken, it’s important to remember a few key tips to ensure that your photo meets all of the requirements. For example:

• Your passport photo cannot have shadows or glare and should be taken against a plain white or off-white background 
• Glasses and hats are not allowed in passport photos, so make sure to remove any headwear (or other large accessories) before taking the picture

Also, while taking a passport photo online can be convenient, be sure to keep the following things in mind:

• Follow the application’s instructions carefully to ensure that your photo meets the government’s requirements. This includes factors such as the size of the photo, the background color, and the positioning of your face and body
• Consider the quality of the photo. While online platforms may offer editing services to enhance your image, it’s still important to start with a passport photo that isn’t blurry or pixelated 
• Take the photo in a well-lit area using proper contrast and exposure
• Use a service with a bulletproof compliance guarantee. Most reputable companies will offer a refund and free passport photos should your photos get rejected by passport agents. Passport Photo Online does one better—we guarantee your photos will be accepted, or we’ll refund double your purchase cost

By following these tips, you can ensure that you get a clear and professional-looking passport photo that meets all the requirements set by the government. This will help make the process of applying for a passport much smoother and less stressful.

Where to have passport photos taken: FAQs

Still wondering, “Where can I get a passport photo taken?” Check out these frequently asked questions for more answers.

Best place for passport photos—final thoughts

When it comes to passport photography, multiple options are available for both in-person and online services. Therefore, customers must carefully evaluate each location based on cost, convenience, quality, and personal preferences to make the best decision.

To summarize, here’s a handy list of the best places where you can take a passport photo:

• Passport acceptance facilities
• Pharmacies (e.g., Walgreens, CVS, and Duane Reade)
• Photography studios
• AAA centers
• Commercial shippers (e.g., The UPS Store and FedEx Office)
• Walmart
• Photo booths
• Online passport photo apps

Have a look at our comparison graph, keep the helpful tips in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to submitting the perfect passport photo online or in person at the passport acceptance facility. Happy travels!

Simon Wojtyczka

Simon Wojtyczka brings a unique perspective to biometric photography with his expertise in Applied Linguistics & TESOL. His content provides valuable insights into the world of biometric photography, helping individuals understand its significance. Simon’s global experiences have made him appreciate the convenience that biometric photos bring to international travel. Outside of work, Simon’s interests lie in discovering new places and swimming.