Can I Get A Passport At Costco? | What They Actually Offer

No, Costco can’t issue or accept a U.S. passport application, but you can use Costco for prep steps like printing photos and grabbing supplies.

If you’re in a Costco run and wondering whether you can leave with a passport plan finished, you’re not alone. Costco feels like the place where errands disappear in one cart.

Passports don’t work that way. In the United States, applications run through the U.S. Department of State and get accepted at approved locations like many post offices, county clerk offices, and some public libraries. Costco isn’t on that list. What Costco can do is help you show up ready.

What Costco Can And Can’t Do For Passports

Two quick lists, so you don’t burn time driving to the wrong place.

What Costco can’t do

• Accept a first-time application (Form DS-11).
• Witness your signature for DS-11.
• Process renewals, expedite requests, or print a passport book or card.
• Give official status updates or fix an application after submission.

What Costco can do

• Print a 4×6 photo sheet that contains two 2×2 passport photos, if you upload a correctly sized image.
• Sell the small stuff you’ll want at your appointment: envelopes, pens, and a folder to keep papers flat.
• Make the prep cheaper if you already have a compliant photo file and only need prints.

Can I Get A Passport At Costco? What To Know Before You Go

Costco warehouses are not passport acceptance facilities. If you need a first passport, a passport for a child, or you’re changing certain details, you’ll apply at an acceptance facility. Use the State Department’s locator to find one near you: Passport Acceptance Facility Search.

So where does Costco fit? It’s a prep stop. Print photos, grab supplies, and walk into your appointment with fewer loose ends.

Pick The Right Application Path First

Passport steps change based on what you’re doing. Nail this down first, then plan photos and paperwork around it.

First-time adults

Most first-time adults use Form DS-11 and must apply in person. You’ll bring proof of citizenship, photo ID, a photocopy of that ID, a passport photo, and payment.

Kids and teens

Minors have extra rules. A child’s application usually means an in-person visit with parent or guardian involvement and extra documents.

Renewals

Many renewals happen by mail or online if you meet eligibility rules. You still need a compliant photo and a clean application packet.

Urgent travel

For tight travel windows, you may qualify for a State Department passport agency appointment. That’s separate from acceptance facilities and separate from Costco.

Passport Photo Rules That Trigger Rejections

Photo problems are a common reason applications stall. Follow the State Department’s photo rules for size, background, and head position here: U.S. Passport Photo Requirements.

If you plan to print through Costco’s online photo service, the print can be perfect and still fail if the crop or head size is off. Get the photo right first.

Common photo mistakes

• Shadow behind the head or across the face.
• Background that looks gray, patterned, or textured.
• Camera too close, which distorts the face.
• Glasses glare or frames blocking the eyes.
• Head size outside the allowed range after cropping.

A simple way to avoid most of these: take the photo in bright, even window light, stand a few feet from the camera, and pick the sharpest shot before you crop.

How To Use Costco For Passport Photo Prints

Costco used to offer in-store passport photos at many locations. After Costco closed its in-warehouse photo departments, the “walk in and get a passport photo taken” option went away. Today, think of Costco as a place to print, not a place to pose.

Step 1: Create a compliant 2×2 image

Take the photo at home or get it taken elsewhere. Then crop it to the correct framing and dimensions.

Step 2: Place two 2×2 photos onto a 4×6 layout

A common approach is to fit two passport photos on one 4×6 print and cut them apart. The cut is easy. The crop is where people slip. Match the head size rules before you order.

Step 3: Order a print and cut cleanly

Order the 4×6 print through Costco’s current online photo partner and cut along clean lines with scissors or a paper cutter. Keep the photos flat in an envelope until your appointment.

Passport Appointment Checklist

Arriving missing one item can mean a wasted trip. Pack your documents the night before and keep them together.

Bring these basics

• Completed form, printed single-sided.
• Proof of citizenship document (like a certified birth certificate or naturalization certificate).
• Photo ID and a photocopy of the front and back.
• One passport photo that meets the rules.
• Payment methods accepted by your facility.

Extras that help

• A folder to keep documents flat.
• A black pen for small fixes.
• A second photo, in case the clerk spots a problem.

Check name consistency across documents. If your name changed, bring the legal proof, like a marriage certificate or court order.

Appointment Day Tips That Save A Second Trip

On appointment day, treat it like a short paperwork errand, not a casual drop-in. Arrive early, since some offices run a tight check-in window. Keep your documents in a folder in the order the clerk will ask for them: form first, citizenship document, ID, copies, then photo.

Skip heavy hair styling that throws shadows on your face, and avoid bright white shirts that can blend into the background in photos you took at home. If you printed a 4×6 sheet and cut it yourself, keep the edges clean and don’t staple, tape, or bend the photos.

One more time-saver: bring a second photocopy set in the same folder. Many offices only need one, yet a spare set can rescue you if one copy is too light or cropped.

Where Costco Fits Into The Real Passport Process

Think of the passport process as a chain. Costco can help with photo prints and prep shopping. Submission and processing still happen through government channels.

Passport Step	Best Place To Do It	What To Watch For
Choose the right form (DS-11 vs renewal)	State Department form instructions	Don’t sign DS-11 until the clerk tells you to
Book an in-person appointment	Acceptance facility (often USPS, clerk, library)	Many locations require appointments
Take a compliant photo	Photo service or DIY at home	Lighting, crop, and head size cause rejects
Print and trim photos	Online printing; Costco can be used for prints	Cut clean edges, keep photo flat
Photocopy your ID	Home printer, library, or office store	Copy front and back as required
Submit application and pay fees	Acceptance facility	Fees may split into two payments
Track status after submission	State Department status portal	Status won’t update instantly
Speed things up for tight timelines	Expedited service or agency appointment	Bring travel proof if asked

Costs And Timing: What You Control

Costco can help you spend less on printing, yet it won’t change government fees or processing speed. Your total cost usually comes from three buckets: application fee, acceptance fee (for DS-11), and photos.

To avoid paying twice for photos, get picky before you print. If you aren’t confident in your crop, a walk-in photo service can be worth the extra spend.

To avoid timing surprises, book your acceptance appointment early. Then work backward: photo, copies, form review, payment prep.

Alternatives When You Want One-Stop Convenience

If you want to finish more in one visit, a post office that offers on-site photos can be the smoothest option. You handle photos and submission in one appointment.

If you only need prints, online printing through several retailers can work, and Costco can be one of the cheaper print routes if your file is correct.

Fix Problems Before They Become Delays

Most delays come from small mistakes that are easy to catch at home.

Photo rejected

Rejections often tie back to shadows, a busy background, or head size. Check the crop against the State Department’s photo rules before you reorder prints.

Name mismatch

If your citizenship document has a prior name, bring the legal document that connects the names and keep a photocopy with your packet.

DS-11 signed too early

For DS-11, the clerk is supposed to witness your signature. If you sign at home, some facilities will ask you to complete a new form.

Payment surprise

Many facilities collect an acceptance fee and a separate State Department fee. Read your facility’s instructions so you bring the payment types they accept.

If You Need…	Do This Next	Fast Check
A first passport	Book an acceptance facility appointment	Bring proof of citizenship and photo ID
A renewal	Confirm you qualify to renew by mail or online	Photo must be recent
A passport for a child	Read the DS-11 instructions for minors	Plan for parent attendance and extra documents
Passport photos on a budget	Prep a compliant image and print a 4×6 sheet	Two 2×2 photos should fit cleanly on one print
Less chance of photo rejection	Use a photo service that knows the rules	No shadows, plain background, sharp focus
Faster turnaround	Check expedited service and agency eligibility	Have travel proof ready if asked

Final Take

Costco won’t take your passport application, yet it can still be a useful prep stop. Use Costco for photo prints and supplies, then submit through an acceptance facility or passport agency. Build your checklist, follow the photo rules, and you’ll walk into your appointment ready.