Passport Photo Cost 2026 — CVS vs Walgreens vs Online Compared

Passport photo prices have crept up in 2026. The drugstore standard used to be around $10–12 — it's now $15–17 at most chains. Online services have responded by undercutting, but the experience and acceptance rate vary widely. Here's the full breakdown of what you'll actually pay in 2026 at every major option.

Quick comparison table

• CVS: $16.99 for 2 prints (in-store, ~5 minutes)
• Walgreens: $16.99 for 2 prints (in-store, ~5 minutes)
• FedEx Office (formerly Kinko's): $14.95–18.95 for 2 prints
• Costco: $4.99 for 4 prints (members only, slowest — often 1+ hour wait)
• AAA (members): $8 for 2 prints, free for Premier members
• USPS (at participating post offices): $15 for 2 prints
• UPS Store: $11.99–15.99 depending on location
• Online services (Easy Photo Passport, similar): $7.99–17 depending on package
• Polaroid kiosks at airports: $14.99

Detailed breakdown

CVS — $16.99

Most accessible (10,000+ locations) and fastest in-person option. Walk in, ask for a passport photo, get it in 5 minutes. Quality is inconsistent — depends on the staffer. Acceptance rate is decent but not guaranteed. If your photo gets rejected by the State Department, CVS does not refund the fee.

Walgreens — $16.99

Identical pricing and similar experience to CVS. 9,000+ locations. Same caveats: no refund if rejected, inconsistent staff training, especially on the 2016 no-glasses rule and 2026 AI ban.

FedEx Office — $14.95–18.95

Usually slightly more expensive than CVS/Walgreens, but the quality tends to be more consistent because FedEx staff are typically more print-savvy. Some locations include a digital copy you can email — useful for online passport renewal forms.

Costco — $4.99 (members only)

Cheapest physical option if you're a Costco member. Catch: the photo center often has a long wait, and not every Costco offers passport photos. Quality is fine when you can actually get one done. Effective cost including membership is much higher if you're not already a member.

AAA — $8 (members) or free (Premier members)

If you have AAA membership, this is the best in-person deal. AAA branches typically have decent photo quality and staff who know the requirements. Available at most AAA service centers, but you need to be a member.

Online services — $7.99–17

Online services let you take the photo yourself, then upload for AI-assisted formatting (background replacement, crop, sizing). Most also offer print-at-home templates or mail you physical prints for an extra fee. Best for: people who already have a decent recent photo, want to avoid drugstores, or are renewing a UK/Schengen/Canadian passport from abroad (where local drugstores don't have the right format).

Hidden costs to watch for

• "Digital copy" upcharge — CVS and Walgreens often charge $5–10 extra for a digital file in addition to prints
• Extra prints — most stores include 2; additional prints cost $5–10 each
• Rejection re-shoots — if your photo gets rejected by the State Department, you pay for new photos again (no refunds)
• Gas + time — if the nearest store is 15 minutes away, factor in driving time and gas
• Membership fees — Costco $60/year, AAA $50–80/year (not worth it just for passport photos)

Which has the highest acceptance rate?

No public data exists on acceptance rates by provider, but anecdotal evidence and complaints on r/passports suggest:

• Highest acceptance: Costco, AAA, and dedicated online services (specialized in passport photos)
• Mid-tier: FedEx Office (staff are more print-savvy)
• Lower acceptance: CVS, Walgreens (inconsistent staff training on the latest rules — many still don't know about the 2026 AI ban)
• Lowest: Self-printed home photos that miss size/DPI specs

Which is fastest?

• In-person fastest: CVS, Walgreens, UPS Store (5–10 minutes if there's no line)
• Slowest in-person: Costco, USPS (often 30+ minute wait)
• Online fastest: 30 seconds to 2 minutes for digital file delivery, plus 0 minutes of travel time

Bottom line — what should you pick?

If you have a recent good photo on your phone (taken with the 2026 rules in mind), an online service at $7.99 is the cheapest option and gives you a digital file you can use for online renewals. If you need physical prints fast and don't trust yourself to take the photo, AAA (members) or Costco are the cheapest in-person options. CVS and Walgreens are the most convenient but the most expensive and not the most reliable.