Walgreens Passport Photo: Is $14.99 Worth It?
Walgreens has over 8,700 locations across the US, making it one of the most accessible places to get a passport photo. But at $14.99 for two photos, you're paying a significant premium for convenience. Here's what actually happens when you use their service—and whether there's a better way.
Quick Answer
Walgreens passport photos cost $14.99 for 2 photos ($7.50 each). You can get 6 compliant photos for $1.35 total by using our tool ($1) and printing at Walgreens ($0.35). That's a savings of $13.64 per person—or $54+ for a family of four.
What Does Walgreens Charge for Passport Photos?
Walgreens charges $14.99 for their passport photo service at all locations. This price includes two 2×2 inch prints—the standard size required for US passports, visas, and most government IDs.
That breaks down to $7.50 per photo. Since most passport applications only require one photo, you're effectively paying for a spare you may never use.
For a family of four, you're looking at $59.96 just for photos—before you've even started the passport application process.
Walgreens Passport Photo Pricing
- Passport photos (2 prints)$14.99
- Per photo cost$7.50
- Family of 4$59.96
- 4×6 print (DIY option)$0.35
What Does $14.99 Actually Get You?
When you pay for Walgreens passport photos, you're paying for an employee's time and the convenience of walking out with prints in hand. Here's what the service includes:
- ✓ A Walgreens employee takes your photo using in-store equipment
- ✓ Pull-down white backdrop at the photo station
- ✓ Two 2×2 inch prints on photo paper
- ✓ Ready in 10-15 minutes (if no line)
- ✓ Free retakes if rejected—but you must return to the store
What you're not getting: automated compliance verification, background removal technology, or a digital copy. If your photo gets rejected weeks later, you'll need to make another trip to the store.
What Walgreens Customers Are Saying
According to the US State Department, bad photos are the #1 reason passport applications get rejected. While many people have smooth experiences at Walgreens, the complaints paint a concerning picture of inconsistent quality and undertrained staff.
Bare-Bones Equipment
Unlike professional photo studios, Walgreens uses basic equipment for passport photos. One viral complaint described the setup: "They used a little handheld digital camera. No lighting, no flash, no anything."
"As a Walgreens employee... yeah, we literally pull down a little backdrop and snap a pic with a Kodak lmao with awful overhead retail light."
The result is often unflattering photos with poor lighting—photos that may technically pass, but that you'll be looking at for the next 10 years.
Staff Training Is Hit or Miss
Walgreens employees aren't professional photographers—they're retail and pharmacy workers who take passport photos as one of many duties. A former Walgreens assistant manager put it bluntly: "The lack of training back then was amazing. It's probably even worse now."
In a viral video about Walgreens passport photos, multiple commenters claiming to be current or former employees admitted to not caring how the photos came out. One wrote:
"As a former Walgreens employee, I did not care what how your picture came out. I hated doing those."
Some employees do take pride in their work—but you won't know which type you'll get until you're at the counter.
Photos Getting Rejected
One customer reported their passport renewal was rejected because Walgreens took the photo horizontally instead of vertically. When they returned to complain, the staff argued it was the customer's fault—even when shown the official requirements.
"The .gov passport website rejected them because they took them horizontally, and the Walgreens staff tried to argue with me that I did something wrong... If I don't make my first international book event now, it's due to their incompetence."
Another common issue: Walgreens staff sometimes digitally erase backgrounds, which can create an unnatural look that gets flagged by passport authorities. One customer reported their photo "looked odd" after the background was erased and was subsequently rejected.
Poor Photo Quality
Many complaints focus on basic quality issues that should be avoidable:
"My Walgreens photo was AWFUL. Fuzzy and just not right looking. I had my daughter take my photo in front of a blank wall in our house and that got accepted."
Another customer described poor color accuracy: "I went to Walgreens for a passport photo. A small point and shoot camera was used, no flash, with bad lighting. I looked very pale and sickly, my hair is naturally red and it looked blonde."
A Chicago-area customer warned about tight spaces: "Never take passport photos there, they have really limited space and have to take it with close-up lens. So your face will look cartoonish and funky."
A $1 Alternative That Still Uses Walgreens
Here's the irony: you can still print at Walgreens and use their convenient pickup service. You just don't need to pay $14.99 for an untrained employee to take your photo.
Our tool costs $1.00 and creates a print-ready 4×6 sheet with 6 passport photos. Upload that to Walgreens Photo, pay $0.35 for a 4×6 print, and pick it up in-store. Total cost: $1.35 for 6 photos vs $14.99 for 2.
What You Get for $1
- ✓ AI-powered background removal—take the photo anywhere, we handle the background
- ✓ Automatic compliance checking—head size, eye position, and lighting verified before you pay
- ✓ 6 photos on a 4×6 sheet—triple the photos for 91% less money
- ✓ Unlimited retakes—keep trying until you're happy with how you look
- ✓ Multiple document types—US passport, visa, green card, or 50+ other countries
Then print at Walgreens for $0.35
How to Save $13 on Your Passport Photo
The whole process takes about 3 minutes from home:
- 1
Take a photo with your phone
Any background works—a wall, door, even outside. Natural light works best. Our AI removes and replaces the background automatically.
- 2
We validate and format your photo
AI checks head size, eye position, and lighting against official requirements. You'll see exactly what will be submitted.
- 3
Pay $1 and download your sheet
Get a 4×6 sheet with 6 passport photos, ready to print.
- 4
Print at Walgreens for $0.35
Upload to Walgreens Photo online, select 4×6 print, pick up same day. Or use CVS, Walmart, or any photo printer.
Walgreens vs 1 Dollar Passport Photo
| Walgreens | 1 Dollar Passport Photo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.99 | $1.35 (with print) |
| Photos included | 2 | 6 |
| Cost per photo | $7.50 | $0.23 |
| Family of 4 cost | $59.96 | $5.40 |
| Time required | 30-60 min | 3 minutes |
| Compliance check | Manual (staff) | AI-powered |
| Background removal | No (need white wall) | Yes (any background) |
| Retakes | Return to store | Instant, unlimited |
When Walgreens Might Be the Right Choice
To be fair, there are situations where paying Walgreens' $14.99 makes sense:
- • You need photos immediately and can't wait to print a digital file
- • You don't have a smartphone or anyone to help take your photo
- • You're already at Walgreens and the convenience is worth $13 to you
- • Your local store has a good photo station with proper lighting (some do)
But for most people—especially families—the savings from doing it yourself are substantial. $54+ saved on photos is money better spent on your actual trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Walgreens charge for passport photos?
Walgreens charges $14.99 for a set of two passport photos. This includes having a Walgreens employee take your photo and print it on-site. The price is consistent across all Walgreens locations.
Does Walgreens take passport photos on weekends?
Yes, Walgreens offers passport photo services during regular store hours, including weekends. Most Walgreens stores are open 7 days a week, but photo services depend on staff availability.
How long does it take to get passport photos at Walgreens?
The photo process at Walgreens typically takes 10-15 minutes. However, wait times vary based on store traffic and staff availability. Plan for 30-60 minutes total including travel.
Are Walgreens passport photos accepted by the State Department?
Yes, Walgreens passport photos meet State Department requirements when taken correctly. Quality may vary depending on the employee and equipment at each location.
Can I print my own passport photo at Walgreens?
Yes! Use our $1 passport photo tool to create your photo, then print the 4×6 sheet at Walgreens for just $0.35. You get 6 photos for $1.35 total—saving over $13 compared to their passport photo service.
What if my Walgreens passport photo is rejected?
Walgreens typically offers free retakes if your photo is rejected, but you'll need to return to the store. With our online tool, you can retake instantly at home until you're satisfied.
The Bottom Line
Walgreens passport photos are convenient but inconsistent. At $14.99 for two photos, you're paying a premium for a service that—according to numerous customer complaints—often results in unflattering photos taken by undertrained staff with basic equipment.
The better approach for most people: use our $1 tool to create compliant photos at home, then print them at Walgreens for $0.35. You'll get 6 photos instead of 2, AI-powered compliance checking instead of guesswork, and photos you can retake until you're happy with them.
Total savings: $13.64 per person. For a family of four, that's nearly $55 back in your pocket.
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Passport Photo Cost Guide
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