Comparison · 10 min read

Does Office Depot Do Passport Photos? Price & Alternatives (2026)

Looking for passport photos at Office Depot? Here's the truth about their services, current pricing, and better alternatives like Walgreens, CVS, and online tools that can save you money.

Office Depot store front with passport photo question

Does Office Depot Do Passport Photos? Price & Alternatives (2026)

Short answer: No, Office Depot does not offer passport photo services.

If you walked into Office Depot expecting to get your passport photo taken like you would at CVS or Walgreens, you’ll leave disappointed. Office Depot is primarily an office supply retailer—they sell printers, paper, and office furniture, but they don’t have photo centers equipped to take and print passport photos.

But don’t worry. There are plenty of alternatives that will get you compliant passport photos quickly, and some are significantly cheaper than traditional retail options.

Why Office Depot Doesn’t Offer Passport Photos

Office Depot focuses on business products and services like:

  • Printing and copying documents
  • Business cards and marketing materials
  • Office supplies and furniture
  • Tech services and computer repairs

While they have robust printing capabilities, they lack the specialized equipment needed for passport photos—specifically, the government-compliant photo systems that verify your image meets State Department requirements.

FedEx Office and The UPS Store (often confused with Office Depot) also don’t typically offer passport photo services at most locations, though some franchise locations may vary.

Where to Get Passport Photos: Price Comparison

Here’s a breakdown of the most popular options for passport photos in 2026:

ServicePriceWhat You GetDigital Copy
Walgreens$16.992 printed photosFREE
CVS$17.992 printed photos$3.99 extra
USPS$15.002 printed photosNot available
CostcoService discontinued
Online Tools$0.35 - $5.00Digital + print yourselfIncluded

Let’s break down each option.

Walgreens: Best Retail Value at $16.99

Walgreens offers the best value among brick-and-mortar stores at $16.99 for two passport photos with a free digital copy sent to your email.

Pros:

  • Free digital copy included (CVS charges $3.99 for this)
  • No appointment needed—just walk in
  • Photos ready in minutes
  • Government-compliant verification system
  • Thousands of locations nationwide

Cons:

  • Quality depends on the employee taking your photo
  • Limited control over lighting and background
  • Store may be busy during peak hours

How it works: Walk into any Walgreens with a photo counter, ask for passport photos, and they’ll use their automated system to capture and print your photos. The system checks that your image meets State Department requirements before printing.

CVS: Solid Option at $17.99

CVS charges $17.99 for two 2x2” passport photos. The digital copy is an additional $3.99, making the total $21.98 if you want both print and digital.

Pros:

  • Uses Kodak Moments Passport & ID Photo System
  • Automatic compliance verification
  • No appointment required
  • Photos ready in minutes
  • Government-compliant guarantee

Cons:

  • $1 more than Walgreens for prints
  • Digital copy costs extra ($3.99)
  • Total cost with digital: $21.98

CVS uses the same basic process as Walgreens—a store employee takes your photo using their specialized system, which automatically verifies compliance with government requirements.

USPS: $15 If You’re Already Applying

If you’re applying for a passport at a USPS location, they can take your photo for $15.00. This is convenient because you’re already there for your application.

Pros:

  • Cheapest retail option at $15
  • One-stop shop if applying for passport
  • Government facility (they know the requirements)

Cons:

  • Requires scheduling an appointment
  • Not all locations offer photo services
  • No digital copy available
  • Limited hours compared to retail stores

Note: You must schedule an appointment for passport services at USPS. You can’t just walk in. Use the USPS Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler to book your slot.

Costco: No Longer Available

Costco discontinued their passport photo services. If you’re searching for “Costco passport photos,” you’re out of luck. Their photo centers no longer offer this service.

The Cheapest Option: Online Passport Photo Tools

Here’s where you can save serious money. Online passport photo tools let you create compliant photos for as little as $0.35.

How Online Passport Photos Work

  1. Take a photo with your smartphone against a plain white wall
  2. Upload to an online tool that crops, sizes, and verifies compliance
  3. Download the digital file
  4. Print at home or at any photo printing kiosk

Cost Breakdown: Online vs Retail

MethodCostSavings vs CVS
Online tool + Walgreens print (4x6)~$0.50$17.49 saved
Online tool + CVS print (4x6)~$0.55$17.44 saved
Online tool + home printer~$0.20$17.79 saved
Walgreens in-store$16.99$0.99 saved
CVS in-store$17.99

The math is simple: You can save over $17 by using an online tool and printing the result yourself.

Best Online Passport Photo Tools

1. One Dollar Passport Photo

  • Price: From $0.99 for digital file
  • Features: AI-powered compliance check, instant download
  • Best for: Quick, reliable results with guaranteed compliance

2. Passport Photo Online

  • Price: ~$4.99 for digital
  • Features: Multiple country formats supported
  • Best for: International passport requirements

3. ePassportPhoto

  • Price: ~$5.99 for digital
  • Features: Basic compliance checking
  • Best for: Simple U.S. passport photos

Tips for Taking Your Own Passport Photo

If you’re going the DIY route, follow these guidelines to ensure your photo is accepted:

Lighting:

  • Use natural daylight or bright, even indoor lighting
  • Avoid harsh shadows on your face
  • No direct flash that causes glare

Background:

  • Plain white or off-white wall
  • No patterns, shadows, or objects visible
  • Even lighting on the background

Pose:

  • Face camera directly (no tilting)
  • Neutral expression—no smiling
  • Both eyes open, mouth closed
  • Remove glasses (required since 2016)
  • No hats or head coverings (except religious/medical)

Framing:

  • Head and shoulders visible
  • Leave space above head
  • Center your face in the frame

Passport Photo Requirements: Quick Reference

Your passport photo must meet these State Department requirements:

RequirementSpecification
Size2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
Head size1” to 1⅜” from chin to top of head
BackgroundPlain white or off-white
Age of photoTaken within last 6 months
ExpressionNeutral, eyes open, mouth closed
GlassesNot allowed
Photo qualityColor, clear, no filters

What About Office Depot’s Printing Services?

While Office Depot doesn’t take passport photos, you can use their printing services to print a passport photo file you already have.

If you’ve used an online tool to create your passport photo, you could theoretically print it at Office Depot. However, their photo printing prices aren’t competitive for small prints:

  • Office Depot 4x6 prints: ~$0.29 each
  • Walgreens 4x6 prints: ~$0.35 each
  • CVS 4x6 prints: ~$0.43 each

For the small price difference, you’re better off using Walgreens or CVS, which specialize in photo printing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Office Depot take passport photos?

No, Office Depot does not offer passport photo services. They are an office supply retailer without photo center capabilities.

Does OfficeMax do passport photos?

No. OfficeMax merged with Office Depot in 2013, and neither brand offers passport photo services.

What’s the cheapest place to get passport photos?

For retail stores, USPS at $15 is cheapest (but requires appointment). For the absolute lowest cost, use an online passport photo tool and print at a photo kiosk for under $1 total.

Can I print my own passport photos?

Yes, if you have a high-quality printer and proper photo paper. However, most home printers don’t produce the quality required for government documents. Printing at a photo kiosk (Walgreens, CVS) for $0.35-0.50 is more reliable.

Do I need an appointment for passport photos?

At CVS and Walgreens: No appointment needed. At USPS: Yes, appointment required.

How long does it take to get passport photos?

At retail locations like CVS and Walgreens, your photos are ready in 5-10 minutes. Online tools provide instant digital downloads.

The Bottom Line

Office Depot doesn’t do passport photos. For your passport photo needs, here’s what I recommend:

  1. Best value (retail): Walgreens at $16.99 with free digital copy
  2. Cheapest overall: Online tool + kiosk print for under $1
  3. Most convenient: CVS or Walgreens (no appointment, ready in minutes)
  4. If already at USPS: Get photos there for $15

If you’re looking to save money, skip the retail markup entirely. Use an online passport photo tool to create your compliant photo, then print it at any photo kiosk. You’ll save over $16 compared to in-store services—money better spent on your actual trip.


Need a passport photo fast? Check out One Dollar Passport Photo for instant, government-compliant passport photos you can print anywhere.

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