Passport Photos in New York (2026): Cheapest Options + $0.39 Hack
Five boroughs mean no shortage of pharmacies and shipping stores that take passport photos — the trick in a city this dense is picking the cheapest one nearby, or skipping the counter entirely and printing your own for about $0.39.
Where to get passport photos in New York
CVS and Walgreens (including Duane Reade, which Walgreens now owns) both run a large number of locations across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island — in most neighborhoods you'll have one within a few blocks. Walmart Supercenters are far more common outside the five boroughs than inside them, so it's worth checking the locator before planning a trip specifically for the $7.64 Walmart price. FedEx Office and the UPS Store are well represented in commercial and Midtown areas. Not every branch of any chain has a working photo counter, so always check the official store locator rather than assuming.
Good to know in New York
- Passport agency for urgent travel. The State Department runs a regional Passport Agency in Manhattan 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 processes applications, not general photo-taking, so bring a compliant photo with you.
- 24-hour options exist, but check first. New York has more round-the-clock pharmacies than most US cities, and some Duane Reade/Walgreens locations do offer passport photos at any hour. Hours and photo-counter staffing vary by store — confirm on the locator before a late-night run.
- Dense means competitive on price too. With multiple chains often within walking distance of each other, it's worth a quick locator check for CVS vs. Walgreens vs. a nearby FedEx Office before defaulting to whichever store is directly outside your door.
2026 prices — same nationwide, New York included
Passport photo pricing is set at the national chain level, so New York prices match the rest of the country (occasional NYC/NY state 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
In a city where every minute and every dollar counts, the cheapest and fastest option is usually not the passport-photo counter at all. 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 New York City?
Nationally, Walmart is the cheapest walk-in service at $7.64, though Walmart Supercenters are less common inside Manhattan than in the outer boroughs and New Jersey — check the store locator for your specific address. Cheaper than any walk-in: format your photo for free, unlock the $2.99 print-ready 4×6 sheet, and print it at a nearby CVS or Duane Reade/Walgreens kiosk for about $0.39 — roughly $3.38 all-in, no service counter needed.
Is there a passport agency in New York City for urgent travel?
Yes — the State Department operates a regional Passport Agency in Manhattan. It only takes appointments (no walk-ins) and only for travelers with international departure within 14 calendar days, or who need a foreign visa within 28 days. Book through the online appointment system or by calling 1-877-487-2778. It is not a general passport-photo counter — you still need a compliant photo before your visit.
Are there 24-hour passport photo options in New York?
New York is one of the few US cities with a real number of 24-hour pharmacies — several Duane Reade and Walgreens locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn stay open around the clock, and some do offer passport photo service at any hour. Store hours and photo-counter staffing vary location by location, so confirm on the official Walgreens/Duane Reade locator before a late-night trip rather than assuming every 24-hour store can do it.
Do post offices in New York take passport photos?
Some do. Only USPS branches designated as Passport Acceptance Facilities offer photo service, and in a dense city like New York, not every neighborhood branch has a working photo setup or can take walk-ins. Use the USPS Find a Passport Acceptance Facility tool for your zip code, and expect to need an appointment at busier Manhattan locations.
Can I get a passport photo the same day in New York?
Yes, easily. With this many pharmacies, drugstores, and shipping stores packed into five boroughs, a same-day walk-in at CVS, Walgreens/Duane Reade, FedEx Office, or the UPS Store is realistic almost anywhere in the city — no appointment required. USPS is the exception since many branches require booking ahead. Formatting the photo yourself and printing it same-day at any of those same stores is usually the fastest and cheapest option of all.
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