CVS Passport Photo Cost 2026: $17.99 (Or $0.39 With the Print Hack)
Most U.S. CVS Pharmacy locations take passport photos on the spot. The retail price is $17.99 for two prints. With a free formatter and a standard 4×6 print order, the same photo costs $0.39. Here is the full breakdown for 2026.
CVS service
$17.99
Two 2×2 prints, taken by an associate.
4×6 print hack
$0.39
Same prints — formatted yourself, ordered as a 4×6.
You save
$16.60
~98% off, in about 15 minutes of work.
How much is a passport photo at CVS?
As of 2026, the chain-wide CVS passport photo price is $17.99. That covers two identical 2×2 inch printed photos taken by a CVS associate at the in-store photo counter. There is no per-photo discount — the package is fixed at two. A digital copy via email is available as a $3.99 add-on, or you can get your photo files on a Kodak Moments Memory Saver 8GB USB for $10.99. For online applications (UK passport renewal, Indian visa, green card), the cheaper path is still to format the photo yourself with a free tool — the digital file is yours immediately and you can also use the $0.39 print hack for the physical copies.
The price is the same whether you walk in or use the cvsphoto.com online order — the photo still has to be printed in-store. Reshoots within the same visit are free if the first attempt isn't flattering. Pickup is usually within 5–10 minutes once the queue clears.
The $0.39 CVS Print Hack
CVS charges around $0.39 for a standard 4×6 inch glossy photo print. If you format your passport photo onto a 4×6 layout before ordering, you bypass the "passport service" fee and get the same physical print at the same store, on the same paper.
Step-by-step ($0.39, 15 minutes):
- Take a photo against a plain wall in good light (smartphone, no selfie mode).
- Upload to the free passport photo maker. It removes the background and outputs the U.S. 2×2 inch spec at 300 DPI.
- Download the 4×6 print layout — places two 2×2 photos on one 4×6 sheet with crop marks.
- Upload that 4×6 file to cvsphoto.com or the CVS Photo app. Order it as a standard 4×6 glossy print — not the "Passport Photo" service.
- Pick up for $0.39, cut along the crop lines, hand both 2×2 prints in with your application.
This works because the U.S. State Department's only requirements are size (2×2 inches), paper type (matte or glossy photo paper), and image compliance. The standard CVS 4×6 print uses exactly that paper. The fee gap is purely the labor of the associate taking the shot.
CVS vs. other 2026 options
CVS is convenient but on the expensive end of the walk-in market. Walmart is cheaper. Costco shut its photo centers down in 2021. Printing at home is the cheapest of all if you already own a photo printer.
| Where | Service price | 4×6 print hack | Walk-in | Available 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print at Home | $0.40 | $0.40 | Yes | Yes |
| Walmart | $7.64 | $0.16 | Yes | Yes |
| FedEx Office | $15.95 | $0.49 | Yes | Yes |
| USPS Post Office | $15.00 | — | By appt | Yes |
| CVS | $17.99 | $0.39 | Yes | Yes |
| Walgreens | $16.99 | $0.38 | Yes | Yes |
| Costco | Discontinued | — | — | No |
Service price = standard passport-photo service. 4×6 hack = print a self-formatted 4×6 photo and cut out the 2×2. Prices are 2026 retail and may vary by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CVS passport photo cost in 2026?
A standard CVS passport photo costs $17.99 in 2026. That price covers two identical printed 2×2 inch photos taken by a CVS associate at the photo counter. Prices may vary slightly by location, but $17.99 is the chain-wide retail rate.
Does CVS do passport photos?
Yes. Most CVS Pharmacy locations with a photo center take and print passport photos on the spot. You walk in without an appointment, an associate photographs you against a white pull-down screen, and they hand you two prints in about 5–10 minutes.
Do all CVS stores take passport photos?
No. Only CVS stores with an in-store photo center offer this service. Stores that have downsized or removed photo printing no longer do. Use the CVS store locator and filter for "Photo" services to confirm before going, or call ahead.
Do I need an appointment for a CVS passport photo?
No appointment is required. CVS handles passport photos as walk-ins. Wait times are usually short outside of weekends and lunch hours, but on a busy Saturday you may wait 15–30 minutes for the photo team.
How long does a CVS passport photo take?
Roughly 5–10 minutes from start to finish. The associate takes 2–3 photos, lets you pick the best one, and prints it on the spot. Add a few minutes if there is a queue at the photo counter.
Will CVS take baby and infant passport photos?
CVS will photograph babies, but the success rate is mixed because the white screen and lighting are designed for adults. Many parents find it easier to take the photo at home (laying the baby on a white sheet), use a free maker like Passport Photo Snap to format it, and bring a 4×6 print to CVS for $0.39.
Can I get a digital copy of my CVS passport photo?
Yes, as a paid add-on. CVS sells a digital copy delivered via email for $3.99, or your photo files on a Kodak Moments Memory Saver 8GB USB for $10.99. The $17.99 standard service is prints only — digital is extra. If you only need the digital file (e.g. for an online UK or India application), it is cheaper to format the photo yourself with a free tool — you have the file the moment you finish, and the $0.39 print hack still gets you the prints.
What if my CVS passport photo gets rejected?
CVS advertises a guarantee that your photo will be accepted by the U.S. State Department. If your application is rejected for photo reasons, return to the same store with the rejection notice and they will reshoot for free. The guarantee does not cover non-U.S. passport applications.
Does CVS print 2×2 inch photos?
CVS does not offer a "2×2" print as a standard product. Their cheapest photo print is the 4×6 inch glossy at $0.39. The 4×6 print hack works because you can format two 2×2 photos onto a 4×6 layout yourself, print it for $0.39, and cut along the crop lines.
Can CVS take photos for non-US passports (UK, Canada, Schengen)?
CVS is configured for the 2×2 inch U.S. format. They will resize for other countries on request, but the staff is not trained on every spec, and rejections at the embassy are not covered by the U.S. guarantee. For non-U.S. passports, format the photo yourself with a country-specific tool and use CVS only as a printer.
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