Staples Passport Photo: $17.99-$24.99 Price & $1 Alternative
Staples passport photos cost $17.99-$24.99 for 2 photos in 2026. Learn about their Perfect Passport Guarantee, what's included, and how to get the same photos for $1.35.
Quick Answer
Staples charges $17.99 for 2 printed passport photos, or $24.99 for prints + digital on USB. No appointment needed, includes a “Perfect Passport Guarantee.” Want to save? Create your photo on your phone in 2 minutes for $1, print at any store for $0.35 — $1.35 total for 6 photos with digital included.
What Staples Passport Photo Gets You
| Price (prints only) | $17.99 for 2 photos |
| Price (prints + digital) | $24.99 for 2 photos + USB |
| Cost per photo | $9.00 (prints only) |
| Time at store | 10-15 min (photo only) |
| Total time | 30-60 min (including drive + wait) |
| Locations | 1,000+ stores |
| Appointment | Not required |
| Retakes | Free if rejected (Perfect Passport Guarantee) |
A Staples associate takes your photo using in-store equipment with a white backdrop, prints two 2x2 inch photos, and hands them to you. Their “Perfect Passport Guarantee” means free retakes if your photo is rejected by the government.
What you’re not getting at the base price: a digital copy ($19.99 extra or $24.99 for the bundle). If you need a digital photo for online passport renewal through MyTravelGov, you’re looking at $24.99 — the most expensive retail option. For a family of four needing prints and digital, that’s $99.96.
How Staples Compares
| Service | Price | Total time |
|---|---|---|
| Online + store print | $1.35 (6 photos + digital) | 2 min + pickup |
| Walmart | $7.44 (2 photos) | 30-45 min |
| Walgreens | $14.99 (2 photos) | 30-60 min |
| CVS | $16.99 (2 photos) | 30-60 min |
| Staples (prints) | $17.99 (2 photos) | 30-60 min |
| Staples (bundle) | $24.99 (2 photos + USB) | 30-60 min |
What to Expect at Staples
Staples is a reliable option with one standout feature: the Perfect Passport Guarantee. If the government rejects your photo, Staples retakes it for free. That’s peace of mind most drugstores don’t offer.
The experience depends on your location. Worth knowing before you go:
- The guarantee has conditions — you must return to the same store with your official rejection notice. If you’ve moved or the store has closed, the guarantee doesn’t apply
- Fewer locations than drugstores — 1,000+ Staples stores vs 8,000+ CVS or 8,700+ Walgreens. You may need to drive further
- Digital costs extra — the $17.99 base price is prints only. A digital copy on USB is $19.99 alone or $24.99 bundled. Most online tools include digital by default
- Staff quality varies — like any retail store, the person taking your photo is a retail worker, not a photographer
The real cost of the Staples bundle isn’t just $24.99 — it’s the time. Add driving to a Staples, parking, waiting, and driving home. Most people spend 30-60 minutes for two small photos and a USB drive.
Get the Same Photo for $1.35 with 1 Dollar Passport Photo
You don’t need to pay $24.99 for prints and a digital copy. Use 1 Dollar Passport Photo for the photo — you get both digital and print-ready files for $1.
Take a photo with your phone (30 seconds)
Any background — a wall, door, even outdoors. Natural light near a window works best. The background gets removed automatically.
Upload and download — $1 (60 seconds)
Automatic background removal, 2×2 inch cropping, and compliance checking against State Department requirements. Download a 4×6 sheet with 6 photos plus your digital file.
Print at any store — $0.35 (pick up on your schedule)
Upload to CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart Photo online. Select 4×6 glossy. Pick up same day — on your schedule, not theirs.
Total: $1.35 and 2 minutes for 6 photos + digital — vs $24.99 and 30-60 minutes for 2 photos + USB at Staples. For a family of four, that’s $94 and 2 hours saved.
When Staples Is the Better Choice
Staples makes sense when:
- You want a rejection guarantee — the Perfect Passport Guarantee is a genuine advantage if you’re worried about compliance
- You’re already at Staples — marginal time cost is low
- You’re not comfortable taking your own photo — want someone to handle it
- You need it right now — walk-in, same-day service
For everyone else — especially families or anyone who needs a digital copy — the savings are substantial. A family of four saves $94 and nearly 2 hours.
The Bottom Line
Staples offers a solid passport photo service with a standout guarantee: free retakes if your photo is rejected. But at $17.99-$24.99, it’s the most expensive retail option — especially if you need a digital copy. With a phone and 2 minutes, you can create the same compliant photos at home for $1 (digital included), print them at any nearby store for $0.35, and keep $16-$23 in your pocket. Compliance checking happens automatically before you pay, so the guarantee becomes less necessary. 94% cheaper, 90% faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Staples charge for passport photos?
Staples charges $17.99 for two printed passport photos. A digital copy on USB costs $19.99 alone, or you can get both prints and digital for $24.99. Prices may vary slightly by location.
Does Staples take passport photos?
Yes, Staples offers in-store passport photo services at over 1,000 locations. A store associate takes your photo using their equipment with a white backdrop, then prints it on-site. Photos are typically ready in 10-15 minutes.
Does Staples provide digital passport photos?
Yes, Staples offers a digital copy of your passport photo on a USB drive for $19.99, or bundled with two prints for $24.99. The digital file is useful for online passport renewal through MyTravelGov.
What is Staples Perfect Passport Guarantee?
Staples offers a Perfect Passport Guarantee: if your passport photo is rejected by the government, Staples will retake the photos for free. You'll need to bring your rejection notice to the same store that took the original photos.
Do I need an appointment for Staples passport photos?
No, Staples does not require an appointment for passport photos. You can walk into any Staples store with passport photo services and get your photos taken during store hours.
How long does it take to get passport photos at Staples?
Staples passport photos typically take 10-15 minutes from start to finish. The associate takes your photo, prints it, and cuts it to the correct 2x2 inch size on-site.
Same Photos, 94% Less
Get 6 compliant passport photos plus digital file for $1.35 total. Automatic compliance checking ensures acceptance.
Create Your Photo for $1$1.35 vs $24.99 at Staples