Can I Get Passport Photo At Walgreens? | Cost Timing Steps

Walgreens can take and print passport photos in minutes, giving you two 2×2 prints plus an emailed digital copy for your records.

A passport photo looks simple until it isn’t. A faint shadow, the wrong crop, or glasses that slip into the frame can trigger a rejection and slow your trip plans. Walgreens is popular because you can walk in, get the photo taken at the counter, and leave with printed photos the same visit.

This article lays out what Walgreens offers, what to bring, the rules that matter most, and how to spot problems before you leave the store.

What Walgreens Passport Photo Service Includes

At most Walgreens stores with a photo counter, a staff member takes your picture, crops it to U.S. passport size, and prints it on photo paper. Walgreens lists the standard price as $16.99 for two printed passport photos, with a free digital copy sent by email if you choose that option. They also state the printed photos are available a few minutes after the photo is taken, and no appointment is needed at participating locations.

What You’ll Leave With

• Two color prints sized for a U.S. passport application.
• A digital copy by email if you request it during the order.

What Walgreens Does Not Provide

• They don’t accept or process passport applications.
• They don’t guarantee approval; the U.S. government makes the final call.

Getting A Passport Photo At Walgreens With Less Hassle

The photo itself takes minutes. The delays happen when you arrive unprepared, the counter is busy, or a detail forces a retake. A little prep keeps the visit smooth.

Choose A Good Time

Some stores have limited photo-counter staffing even when the store is open. If you can, go earlier in the day or mid-afternoon, not right before closing.

Bring A Simple “Fix Kit”

• A comb or brush for stray hair.
• Hair ties or clips to clear your face.
• A plain top with a simple neckline.

Ask For The Digital Copy Up Front

If you want an email copy, ask while the order is being set up. That’s when staff can attach the email step to your purchase.

Passport Photo Rules That Trip People Up

Most rejections come from size, head placement, background, lighting, and attire. For U.S. passport paper applications, the Department of State states the photo must be 2 x 2 inches, and the head height should measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches from bottom of chin to top of head.

Face And Pose

Face the camera straight on, eyes open, mouth closed. A small, natural smile is allowed as long as your face shape stays clear.

Background And Lighting

The background should be white or off-white with no texture or lines. Watch for shadows on your cheeks and under your chin. A shadow can hide facial features and lead to a redo.

Glasses And Head Coverings

Glasses come off. Hats and head coverings are allowed only for daily religious wear or medical reasons, and your full face still needs to show. If you keep a head covering for religious reasons, the Department of State calls for a signed statement that it’s worn daily in public. For medical exceptions, they call for a signed doctor’s statement.

Clothes

Skip camouflage and anything that resembles a uniform. Pick a solid color that contrasts with a white background so your jawline and shoulders stand out.

What Happens At The Walgreens Photo Counter

You tell the photo staff you need passport photos, they position you against the backdrop, then take a few shots and pick the cleanest one. They crop and size it, send it to print, and hand you the finished photos when they’re ready.

Walgreens says the prints are ready in a few minutes after the photo is taken. Real timing depends on the store’s photo workload, so build in a small buffer if you’re on a tight schedule.

Can I Get Passport Photo At Walgreens? What To Expect In Store

Yes, you can get a passport photo at Walgreens and walk out with compliant prints the same visit. The easiest way to avoid a second trip is to check the rules once, then check the prints before you leave.

If you want to scan the official rules in plain language, the Department of State’s page lists size, head placement, background, and what edits are not allowed. Here’s the U.S. Department of State passport photo requirements page.

Walgreens posts its current pricing and what’s included with the service, including the email copy option, on Walgreens Passport And Visa Photos.

Digital Copy Details Worth Knowing

An emailed file is handy even if your application needs printed photos. It gives you a backup if a print gets smudged, and it can speed up other ID tasks that ask for a headshot. Walgreens says the email copy is free with the passport photo purchase when you choose that option at checkout.

When The Email Copy Helps

• If you want a personal record of what you submitted.
• If you plan to renew online later and want a clean starting image to work from.
• If you need the same photo style for other forms that accept a digital upload.

If The Email Copy Doesn’t Arrive

Check your spam folder first, then search your inbox for “Walgreens” and “passport” to catch messages sorted into promotions tabs. If you still can’t find it, go back to the same store and ask the photo counter to re-send the email copy from the order screen. Bring your receipt if you have it so they can locate the order faster.

Paper Application Versus Online Renewal Photo Needs

Many people mix these up. A paper passport application uses a printed photo that meets the 2 x 2 inch rule and the head-size rule. Online renewal uses a digital upload and has its own checks. The Department of State warns against submitting digitally altered photos and says not to submit photocopies or scans of photos for paper applications. So, if you’re applying on paper, stick with the printed photos from Walgreens rather than scanning the prints at home.

Prep Checklist Before You Step In Front Of The Camera

Use this short checklist at home. It prevents the common problems that show up on the print: glare, hair across the eyes, and clothing that blends into the background.

Hair, Skin, And Accessories

• Pull hair away from eyes and eyebrows.
• Remove glasses, sunglasses, and large hair accessories.
• Keep jewelry away from the jawline if it reflects light.

Kids And Babies

For babies, the Department of State says it’s okay if a baby’s eyes are not fully open. For older children, eyes should be open. Plan for a second adult if you can, since one person may need to steady the child while the other keeps the face centered and calm.

How To Check Your Prints Before You Walk Out

Open the envelope at the counter. Look at the photos under normal lighting and do a fast scan for the common reject reasons. If something looks wrong, ask for a retake right then.

• Square size: 2 x 2 inches, not rectangular.
• Centered head: full face visible, no tilt.
• Plain background: white or off-white, no lines, no texture.
• Clean lighting: no shadows across the face.
• Sharp print: no blur, no grainy texture.

Walgreens Passport Photo Snapshot Table

This table is a quick store-visit checklist for the common U.S. passport use case: a paper application that needs printed photos.

Step	What To Do	What Often Goes Wrong
1	Arrive during photo counter hours	Counter closed even when the store is open
2	Say “U.S. passport photo” at the counter	Getting a different ID format
3	Remove glasses and hats	Glare or frames hiding the eyes
4	Face forward, eyes open, mouth closed	Head tilt or chin tucked down
5	Keep clothing plain and non-uniform	Camouflage or uniform-style top
6	Ask for the emailed digital copy during checkout	Leaving without the email option set
7	Inspect the prints at the counter	Missing shadows until you get home
8	Keep prints flat in a clean envelope	Creases, smudges, bent corners
9	Save the digital file in two places	Losing the email later

Fixes If Your Passport Photo Gets Rejected

If your application gets mailed back with a photo issue, match the note to the rule and redo only what’s needed. The table below pairs common rejection notes with quick fixes.

Rejection Note	Likely Cause	Fast Fix
Wrong size	Printed in a different ID size	Request a 2 x 2 U.S. passport print set
Head too small or too large	Framing or crop off	Retake with correct head height in frame
Shadows on face	Uneven lighting or standing too close to the backdrop	Step forward, retake with even light
Background not plain	Lines, texture, or off-color wall	Use a plain white or off-white background
Eyes not visible	Hair, glare, squint, or glasses	Pull hair back, remove glasses, retake
Digital changes detected	Filters or edits applied	Submit an unedited photo
Low print quality	Blurry capture or poor print	Retake, check sharp focus before leaving
Damaged photo	Crease, smudge, bent corner	Get a fresh print set and keep it flat

After Walgreens, Keep The Rest Of The Process Smooth

Store the prints flat and clean. If you’re applying in person, attach the photo the way your form instructs so you don’t damage it. If you’re renewing online, confirm you’re using a digital photo that matches the online upload rules, not a scan of a printed photo.

One last habit helps: before you submit, re-check the basics that trigger rejection most often—2 x 2 size, plain background, clean lighting, centered face, and no glasses.