Passport Photos in Seattle (2026): Cheapest Options + $0.39 Hack
From downtown to the neighborhoods across the bridges, Seattle has several chains that take passport photos — but printing your own for about $0.39 still beats every walk-in counter.
Where to get passport photos in Seattle
CVS and Walgreens both operate multiple locations across Seattle's neighborhoods, from Capitol Hill and Ballard to the University District. FedEx Office and the UPS Store are well represented downtown and near business districts. Walmart Supercenters, the cheapest walk-in nationally at $7.64, are more common in surrounding suburbs than within city limits — check the locator before making a trip specifically for that price. Not every branch of any chain has a working photo counter, so confirm on the official locator first.
Good to know in Seattle
- Passport agency downtown. The State Department runs a regional Passport Agency in downtown Seattle 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 prepared.
- Bridges and hills add friction. If a special trip means crossing a bridge or dealing with I-5 traffic, the DIY hack is worth it just to avoid the extra crossing — format at home, print at whichever store you next pass.
- Weather rarely closes stores, but check hours anyway. Pharmacy hours can still shift seasonally at individual locations — a quick locator check avoids a wasted trip.
2026 prices — same nationwide, Seattle included
Passport photo pricing is set at the national chain level, so Seattle prices match the rest of the country (occasional Washington 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
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 Seattle?
Walmart is the cheapest national walk-in at $7.64, with Supercenters more common in the suburbs around Seattle than inside the city itself — check the locator for your area. Cheaper than any walk-in counter: format your own photo 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 Seattle?
Yes — the State Department runs a regional Passport Agency in downtown Seattle for travelers with international departure within 14 calendar days, or a foreign-visa need within 28 days. It's appointment-only — call 1-877-487-2778 or use the online appointment system. It processes applications rather than taking photos, so bring a compliant photo with you.
Are there 24-hour passport photo options in Seattle?
Fewer than in denser East Coast cities — round-the-clock pharmacies exist in Seattle but are less common than in a city like New York. Most CVS and Walgreens locations in the area keep standard daytime-into-evening hours. Check the specific store's hours on the official locator before planning a late-night visit, or format your photo online any time and print it once a nearby store opens.
Do post offices in Seattle take passport photos?
Some do. Only USPS branches designated as Passport Acceptance Facilities offer photo service, and not all of those have a working camera or take walk-ins. Use the USPS Find a Passport Acceptance Facility tool for your zip code — with Seattle's hills and water crossings, it's worth checking that your nearest branch actually offers the service before making the trip.
Can I get a same-day passport photo in Seattle?
Yes. CVS, Walgreens, FedEx Office, and the UPS Store all take same-day walk-ins with no appointment across the Seattle area. Given the traffic and ferry/bridge crossings that can make an extra trip a hassle, formatting your own photo at home and printing it same-day wherever you already have an errand planned is usually the fastest option.
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