Passport Photo Prices & Fee Comparison
Wondering how much does it cost for passports, what the expedited passport cost is, or how much is a passport photo at CVS vs Walmart? Compare retail photo costs and official Department of State application fees below.
| Retailer | Location | Estimated Price | Digital Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| VisaReadyNow (Online) | Anywhere (Smartphone) | $7.99 USD | Included |
| Shoppers Drug Mart | Canada | ~$14.99 - $19.99 CAD | Usually extra charge |
| Walmart | US & Canada | ~$7.44 USD / ~$13 CAD | Often not provided |
| CVS Pharmacy | US | ~$16.99 USD | Physical print only usually |
| Walgreens | US | ~$16.99 USD | Often extra |
| Staples | US & Canada | ~$14.99 USD | Physical print only usually |
| Costco | US & Canada | N/A (Discontinued) | Service closed in 2021 |
Official 2026 US Passport Application & Renewal Fees
How much is a passport application or renewal fee in 2026? Official Department of State fees depend on whether you are applying for an adult passport book, child passport, or adding expedited processing service:
Adult First-Time & Reissue Fees (Age 16+)
- Adult Passport Book Application Fee: $130
- Acceptance / Execution Fee (USPS): $35
- Adult Passport Card (Land/Sea border): $30
- Total First-Time Adult Cost: $165
Child Fees (Under 16) & Expedited Service
- Child Passport Book Application Fee: $100
- Execution Fee (First-Time/Child): $35
- Expedited Processing Fee (2-3 weeks): $60
- 1-to-2 Day Rush Delivery Shipping: $21.36
Frequently Asked Questions
Real cost comparisons, store policies, and official government fee breakdowns
Q:How much does a passport photo cost at CVS and Walgreens?
At CVS and Walgreens pharmacy photo counters, a pair of physical 2×2 inch printed passport photos costs approximately $16.99 USD. Most retail locations provide printed paper copies only and charge additional fees for a digital USB file.
Q:What is the cheapest way to get a passport photo?
The most cost-effective method is to take a portrait at home with your smartphone in good natural light, format and validate it with VisaReadyNow ($4.99 with full 22-point biometric verification), and print the 4×6 inch multi-photo template at a local pharmacy kiosk for roughly $0.35 to $0.50.
Q:How much is an adult US passport renewal fee in 2026?
The official U.S. Department of State application fee for an adult passport book renewal (Form DS-82) is $130. An adult passport card costs $30. If you require expedited processing (2–3 weeks turnaround), an additional $60 government fee applies, plus optional $21.36 for 1-to-2 day return delivery.
Q:How much does a first-time adult US passport cost?
A first-time adult passport book costs a total of $165. This comprises a $130 application fee paid directly to the U.S. Department of State and a mandatory $35 execution/acceptance facility fee paid to the authorized acceptance agent (such as USPS or a local clerk of court).
Q:Does Costco or Walmart still take passport photos?
Costco permanently discontinued all in-store photo services in 2021 and no longer offers passport pictures. Select Walmart stores with active photo departments still provide physical prints for around $7.44 USD, but availability varies by branch and digital file export is typically unavailable.
Q:Why are passport photos taken at pharmacies frequently rejected?
Pharmacy staff operate manual point-and-shoot cameras in busy retail environments. Inconsistent overhead fluorescent lighting causes background shadows, physical screens often wrinkle or reflect light, and manual cutter punches can produce off-dimension millimeter cuts that trigger government rejection.
Why Physical Stores Are Costing You More
While $17 might not seem like a lot for store photos, you also have to factor in the time spent driving, waiting in line, and the risk of the photo being rejected by the embassy. Physical stores often use manual cropping tools and physical blue/white screens that don't meet strict modern biometric scanning algorithms. By using VisaReadyNow at home, you get a digitally guaranteed photo that you can print yourself or upload instantly online.
Get Your Photo for $7.99