Passport Photos in Chicago (2026): Cheapest Options + $0.39 Hack
From the Loop to the neighborhoods and suburbs, Chicago has plenty of pharmacies and shipping stores that take passport photos — but the cheapest, fastest option is usually skipping the counter and printing your own for about $0.39.
Where to get passport photos in Chicago
CVS and Walgreens both operate numerous locations across Chicago's neighborhoods — Walgreens in particular has deep roots in the Chicago area, where the company is headquartered. FedEx Office and the UPS Store are well represented downtown and in commercial corridors. Walmart Supercenters are more common in the surrounding suburbs than within the city itself, so it's worth checking the locator before making a special trip for the $7.64 price. As always, not every branch has a working photo counter — confirm on the official store locator first.
Good to know in Chicago
- Passport agency in the Loop. The State Department runs a regional Passport Agency in downtown Chicago for travelers with international departure inside 14 days, or a foreign-visa need inside 28 days. Appointment only — call 1-877-487-2778 or use the online appointment system. It handles applications, not photo-taking, so arrive with a compliant photo already in hand.
- Winters make the DIY hack worth it. An unplanned trip to a pharmacy in January is easy to put off. Formatting your photo at home means you only need to stop by a store you were already visiting anyway to print it.
- City vs. suburbs. If you're downtown, CVS and Walgreens are your most convenient walk-ins; if you're in the suburbs, Walmart Supercenters open up as a cheaper option — check what's actually closest before assuming.
2026 prices — same nationwide, Chicago included
Passport photo pricing is set at the national chain level, so Chicago prices match the rest of the country (occasional Illinois/Cook County sales tax aside). Click any retailer for its full guide.
| 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 |
| Rite Aid | Discontinued | — | — | No |
| Target | Discontinued | — | — | No |
| Sam's Club | Discontinued | $0.19 | — | No |
| The UPS Store | $12.99 | — | Yes | Yes |
| AAA | — | — | Yes | Yes |
Service price = standard passport-photo service. 4×6 hack = print a self-formatted 4×6 photo and cut out the 2×2; the listed price is the print only — the print-ready sheet is a $2.99 one-time unlock, so add $2.99 once for the all-in total. Prices are 2026 retail and may vary by location.
Or skip the counter — the $0.39 hack
Instead of a dedicated trip to a passport-photo counter, format your own photo for free, unlock the $2.99 print-ready 4×6 layout, and print it as a regular photo (not the “passport photo” service) at any nearby CVS or Walgreens kiosk for about $0.39 — roughly $3.38 all-in, with two compliant 2×2 photos on the sheet.
- Take a photo against a plain wall with even light — your phone's rear camera works fine.
- Upload it to the free passport photo editor— it crops, removes the background, and sizes to 2×2 inches automatically.
- Unlock the 4×6 print template ($2.99 one-time) and download it.
- Print it as a standard 4×6 at any nearby pharmacy kiosk — pick up in an hour, cut along the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest passport photo in Chicago?
Walmart is the cheapest national walk-in at $7.64, and Supercenters are common in the suburbs ringing the city, though less so within Chicago proper — check the locator for your neighborhood. Cheaper than any walk-in counter: format the photo yourself for free, unlock the $2.99 print-ready 4×6 sheet, and print it as a regular photo at a nearby CVS or Walgreens for about $0.39 — roughly $3.38 all-in.
Is there a passport agency in downtown Chicago?
Yes — the State Department runs a regional Passport Agency in the Loop, Chicago's downtown business district. It takes appointments only, and only for travelers with international departure within 14 calendar days or a foreign-visa need within 28 days. Book at 1-877-487-2778 or through the online appointment system; it processes applications, it doesn't take the photo for you.
Are there 24-hour passport photo options in Chicago?
Some Walgreens and CVS locations in and around Chicago operate extended or 24-hour hours, but this varies neighborhood by neighborhood and isn't guaranteed the way it is in a handful of other big US cities. Check the specific store's hours on the official Walgreens or CVS locator before counting on a late-night visit — otherwise, the free online formatter works any time, and you print whenever a store near you opens.
Do Chicago post offices take passport photos?
Some do. Only USPS locations designated as Passport Acceptance Facilities offer photo service, and not all of those have a working camera or accept walk-ins. Use the USPS Find a Passport Acceptance Facility tool for your zip code — Chicago's dense network of post offices means most residents have at least one option nearby, but an appointment is often required.
Can I get a same-day passport photo in Chicago?
Yes. CVS, Walgreens, FedEx Office, and the UPS Store all take same-day walk-ins across the city and suburbs, no appointment needed. Chicago winters make an unplanned extra errand unappealing — formatting your own photo at home and printing it the same day at whichever pharmacy you're already near is usually the fastest option, especially outside the Loop.
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