Walgreens Passport Photo Services

All About Passport Photos at Walgreens: Prices, Requirements, and Alternatives

1. Key Points

   Does Walgreens Do Passport Photos? Cost

   Walgreens takes U.S. passport photos at most of its locations with a Photo Center. The standard cost for a Walgreens passport photo service is $16.99, which includes two government-compliant 2×2 inch printed photos, ready in minutes, and a free digital copy sent via email at no extra charge. No appointment is needed—simply walk into the Photo Center during operating hours.
2. Step-by-Step Guide

   How to Get a Passport Photo at Walgreens?

   The process for getting a passport photo at Walgreens is designed to be as simple as possible.

   1. There’s no need to make an appointment in advance.
   2. Just walk into any of their 7,700+ stores that have a photo center.
   3. An employee will take your picture using a KODAK biometric system, which automatically verifies that the photo meets all standards.
   4. The entire process takes just a few minutes, and your passport photos will be ready for you immediately.
3. Expert Advice Block (Compliance Check)

   Are Passport Photos from Walgreens Guaranteed to be Compliant?

   Walgreens utilizes KODAK biometric software to automate compliance checks for U.S. Passport requirements. The system validates four critical parameters—size, background, lighting, and head position—to ensure government acceptance.
    
   While Walgreens provides a convenient service, the final decision always rests with the U.S. Department of State. According to our 2025 internal data, approximately 12% of retail-captured photos require a second look due to environmental factors like store lighting or background shadows.
    
   To help you avoid a time-consuming rejection, we’ve synthesized the most frequent “pain points” reported by users into this actionable checklist:
    
   Checklist: Getting Your Walgreens Passport Photo Right (January 2026)
    

   #	Feature to Check	What to Look for at the Walgreens Counter
   1	Lighting and Shadows	Review the photo on the screen before printing. There should be no deep shadows on your face (especially under the nose and eyes) or on the background behind your head. The background must be plain, even, and white.
   2	Glasses and Accessories	Remove your glasses (even if you wear them daily) and any headphones. Large jewelry must not obscure the outline of your face.
   3	Facial Expression	Look directly into the lens with your mouth closed. Maintain a neutral facial expression—this ensures you pass the biometric verification.
   4	Digital Copy	Do not leave the store until you receive the email. Check your “Spam” folder. Ensure the photo is sharp and has a resolution of at least 600×600 px. The associate can only resend the file before the order is closed in the system.
   5	Head Size	On a 2×2 inch print, your head must measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (roughly half the frame). If your face appears too small or too large, ask for a retake before printing.
   6	Print Quality	Inspect the paper for printer streaks, ink spots, or creases. The edges must be trimmed perfectly straight into a 2×2 inch square.

    
   By using this checklist, you can verify your passport photo right at the Walgreens photo counter. If any point isn’t met, ask the associate for an immediate retake on the spot—saving you from government rejection and unnecessary paperwork later.
4. Online Options

   Walgreens or an Online Service: Which Should You Choose?

   While Walgreens offers a convenient in-store solution, you have another great option: to take your passport photo online. This is the perfect choice if you want to save time and money. Our service lets you take the picture from home, so you don’t have to drive to a store or wait in line. We’ll automatically check the photo for compliance and create a perfect printable template. Then, you can simply print it at any convenient location—including Walgreens—for as little as $0.39. Start now to get your perfect passport photo in just 5 minutes!
5. Size

   What size passport photos does Walgreens make?

   Walgreens makes 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) passport photos, which is the official standard for U.S. passports.

   
6. Appointment

   Do I need an appointment to get a passport photo taken at Walgreens?

   No, you do not need an appointment to get your passport photos taken at Walgreens. You can simply go to the Photo Counter and ask a member of their staff for assistance.

   It’s always a good idea to call your local Walgreens ahead of time to confirm their Photo Center hours and that they offer the passport photo service, just to be sure.
7. Store Locator

   Do all Walgreens offer passport photo services?

   No, not all Walgreens stores offer passport photo services. However, the service is available at over 7,700 locations (nearly 90% of all stores nationwide) equipped with a Photo Center.

   What to Keep in mind:

   • Call Ahead: Even though it’s widespread, it’s always best practice to call your specific local Walgreens before you go to confirm that they have a Photo Center and offer the passport photo service.
   • The Process is Quick: The service is a walk-in service (no appointment needed), and your two printed, government-compliant photos are ready in a few minutes after the photo is taken.

   To find the nearest location that offers the service, you can use the Walgreens store locator on their website and filter for stores with a Photo Center or specifically for passport photos.
8. Operating Hours

   What are the operating hours of the Walgreens Photo Center for passport photos?

   The hours for Walgreens passport photo services vary significantly depending on the specific store and the hours of its Photo Center.

   Passport photos are taken at the in-store Photo Center, and this department’s hours may be shorter than the main store’s hours (especially if the main store is open 24 hours).

   How to Find Your Local Walgreens’ Passport Photo Hours:

   1. Use the Walgreens Store Locator: The most accurate way to check is to use the Walgreens website’s Store Locator or Passport Photos finder.
   2. Filter by Location: Enter your city, state, or ZIP code.
   3. Check Store & Photo Hours: The results will list nearby stores and their hours. Look specifically at the hours listed for “Store & Photo” for the most accurate time frame.

   What You Should Know About Walgreens Photo Center Hours:

   • Standard Stores: Many Photo Centers operate on a schedule similar to standard business hours, such as 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
   • 24-Hour Stores: If a Walgreens store is open 24 hours, the Photo Center will almost certainly NOT be open all night. You must go during the hours when the Photo Counter is staffed.
   • No Appointment Needed: Remember, you don’t need an appointment, but you do need to make sure the Photo Counter is open and staffed when you arrive.

   Tip: Look up your local store’s hours online or call them directly before you visit.
9. Processing Times

   How long does it take to take passport photos at Walgreens?

   Your passport photos will be taken and printed in 15 minutes or less, provided there isn’t a long line at the Photo Counter.

   Online alternatives can provide digital photos instantly, with prints available for same-day pickup or 2-3 day home delivery.
10. Digital Copy

    Does Walgreens do digital passport photos?

    Yes, Walgreens does digital passport photos. The digital passport photo itself is free when you purchase the in-store passport photo service.

    Unlike many other retail chains that only offer printed passport photos, Walgreens includes a digital copy in its standard service package, making it ideal for online applications (such as for US passport renewal).

    Service Details and Cost

    You cannot purchase the digital copy separately. Walgreens does not sell digital passport photos as a standalone product. The digital copy is always included with the printed set.

    How to get digital passport photo at Walgreens and cost:

    • Delivery: The digital copy of the passport photo is sent to you via email. You enter your email address on the in-store photo kiosk after the employee takes the picture.
    • Cost: The standard passport photo service at Walgreens costs $16.99.
    • Included in the Price: For this fixed price, you receive:
      • Two printed photos (2×2 inches, compliant with requirements).
      • One complimentary digital copy (it is included in the total price of $16.99).

    How Long Does it Take to Get Digital Passport Photo at Walgreens:

    The entire process—from taking the photo to receiving the printed copies and sending the digital version via email—takes about 10–15 minutes on-site, provided there is no queue.

    Government Compliance:

    Passport photos taken at Walgreens are scanned using special pattern/pixel recognition software right on the kiosk. This tool checks the image for compliance with government requirements (neutral expression, open eyes, etc.) before printing to guarantee its suitability. This provides an extra layer of confidence in compliance.

    Why You Might Encounter Issues with the Walgreens Digital Passport Photo and How to Solve Them:

    Although Walgreens provides a digital copy of passport photo, customers sometimes face two issues:

    1. Quality and Editing: The digital version sent by Walgreens is often the unedited snapshot taken by the camera. This can result in a background that is not perfectly white (but rather grayish), and the photo itself may not be as “clean” as the corrected version used for printing.
    2. Email Delay: In rare cases, due to technical failures in the kiosk system (if the employee incorrectly finalized the order), the email with the photo may not arrive immediately or at all.

    If you need an instant, guaranteed compliant digital photo with a perfect white background for an online application and other purposes, consider alternative online services, such as photobooth.online.

    By using such a service, you take the photo at home, and the AI automatically:

    • Guarantees to remove any background, replacing it with a perfect white one.
    • Instantly checks the image for compliance with all government requirements (head size, eye position, lighting, etc.).
    • Besides instant AI verification, your photo also undergoes fast online expert review, which guarantees 100% compliance with official requirements.
    • Provides digital files in JPG/PNG format (a single digital photo and a 4×6 template with six photos) in just a few seconds, which you can use for online submission (and other purposes) or for printing (for example, at Walgreens as a standard 4×6 print).

    This eliminates the issue of digital copy quality and waiting time in the store.

    How to take a digital passport photo using photobooth.online:

    You simply need to upload your photo, even one taken with a phone. After uploading, you will immediately receive a digital photo that meets the requirements for a US passport, which will be sent to your email address for only $2.95 immediately.
11. International Passport Photos

    Can Walgreens prepare passport photos that meet another country's requirements?

    Yes, many Walgreens Photo Centers can take passport photos for countries other than the U.S.

    While their standard biometric system is set up for the 2 x 2 inch U.S. photo, they often have the ability to adjust the size and specifications for many major international requirements.

    Your Checklist for International Photos at Walgreens:

    1. Bring the Requirements: The most important thing is to bring a copy of the specific photo requirements for the country you need (e.g., Canada, India, EU Schengen countries, etc.). International photo sizes often differ (for example, many use 35 x 45 mm), and the associate will need these exact details.
    2. Confirm Locally: Since not all Photo Centers are equipped with the same system or staffed by the same level of trained associates, it’s always best to call your specific Walgreens store ahead of time and ask if they can handle photos for the country you need.
    3. Visa Photos: The same is generally true for visa photos. If the visa photo size is different from the U.S. passport standard, bring the official requirements to the store.

    Use this guide to learn where the Walgreens service is available, how much it costs, and how to get a compliant passport photo.

    Written by: PhotoBooth Online

    Published: 11/21/25  |  Updated: 01/20/26