CVS vs Walgreens Passport Photos: Price and Digital Copy in 2026

Quick Verdict: CVS vs. Walgreens for Passport Photos

Both CVS and Walgreens offer in-store passport photo services that are legitimate, widely available, and accepted for traditional U.S. passport applications. The single most important practical difference is how each handles a digital copy: Walgreens includes one free with every order; CVS charges extra for it.

If you need both a physical print and a digital file — which most online-renewal applicants do — Walgreens is the better value. If you only need prints and never intend to submit digitally, the two are nearly equivalent, with Walgreens edging ahead on price by a dollar.

Here is the side-by-side breakdown:

Feature	CVS	Walgreens
Two 2×2 prints	$17.99	$16.99
Emailed digital copy	$3.99 add-on	Free (included)
USB copy	$10.99 add-on	Not typically offered
Total (prints + digital email)	$21.98	$16.99
Turnaround	Walk-in, same visit	Walk-in, same visit
Online ordering	No	No
Acceptance facility	No	No

Prices checked: July 21, 2026. Retailer prices and availability vary by location.

Or check an original photo first

If you already have a recent, unchanged original taken against the correct real background, you may not need a new in-store session. A preliminary checker can flag supported issues without cropping or altering the U.S. photo. Online renewal still happens only at opr.travel.state.gov, where you upload and crop the original.

CVS	Walgreens	PhotoPass checker
Best when you only need two physical prints and CVS is nearby.	Best in-store value when you need prints plus an emailed digital copy.	Best when you already have an original and want a preliminary check without altering it.
$17.99 for prints; $21.98 with emailed digital copy.	$16.99 for prints with emailed digital copy included.	Free preliminary check; no State Department acceptance guarantee.
Walk-in photo counter. No passport application processing.	Walk-in photo counter. No passport application processing.	Online check only. PhotoPass does not crop, alter, or submit the U.S. photo.

For U.S. online renewal, the official application still happens only on the State Department .gov website. The online option is a preparation step before you upload there.

Other options people compare with CVS and Walgreens

CVS and Walgreens are the two most common drugstore choices, but they are not the only ways people get passport photos:

• Walmart: Often cheaper than CVS or Walgreens where photo centers still offer passport photos, but availability varies by store.
• USPS: Some passport acceptance facilities offer photo service, which can be convenient if you are applying there the same day. Not every USPS location provides it.
• AAA: Some AAA offices provide passport photos for members. Availability depends on the local office.
• Costco: Costco discontinued in-store photo printing services, including passport photos, in early 2024.
• DIY at home: Free, but risky unless you can verify dimensions, head size, background, lighting, and file format before submitting.
• Online passport photo makers: Useful when you need a digital file, a non-U.S. format, or a print sheet. For a broader tool-by-tool comparison, see our best online passport photo makers guide.

CVS Passport Photos in Detail

CVS offers passport photo services at most locations with an active photo department. The base service provides two 2×2 inch prints for $17.99. A trained associate takes your photo against a white backdrop, checks the framing, and produces the prints during your visit.

The key limitation compared to Walgreens is that a digital copy is not included. CVS offers two paid add-ons:

• Emailed digital copy: $3.99. A JPEG file matching the State Department's 2×2 inch specification is sent to the email address you provide at checkout. This is the most common add-on choice for applicants who also want a file for online use or future reference.
• USB drive copy: $10.99. CVS transfers the photo to a USB drive. This costs significantly more but gives you a local file you control without relying on an email inbox.

If you want both prints and a digital copy from CVS, the total comes to $21.98 — nearly five dollars more than the equivalent Walgreens service.

CVS is not a passport acceptance facility. You receive photos only; you cannot submit or process your passport application at a CVS location. For paper applications, you must bring the prints to an acceptance facility such as certain USPS post offices, federal courthouses, or public libraries. For online renewal, you upload the digital file directly through the State Department's portal.

When CVS Makes Sense

• You only need physical prints and a nearby CVS is more convenient than a Walgreens.
• You want a USB copy for local storage and are willing to pay the premium.
• You are already running errands at a CVS and the photo department is available.

When CVS Is a Less Optimal Choice

• You need a digital copy — the $3.99 add-on makes the total higher than Walgreens for the same output.
• You are doing an online renewal and need a properly formatted digital file at the lowest cost.

Walgreens Passport Photos in Detail

Walgreens offers a passport photo service at most locations with an active photo department. The service provides two 2×2 inch prints for $16.99, with a free emailed digital copy included. Unlike CVS, you do not need to request or pay for the digital copy separately — it is delivered to your email address automatically as part of the standard transaction.

This makes Walgreens the stronger choice for anyone who needs both a physical print for a traditional application and a digital file for online renewal, archiving, or visa applications. The total cost for both is simply $16.99.

Like CVS, Walgreens is a walk-in, in-store service only. You cannot order passport photos on the Walgreens website or app for pickup — a trained associate must take the photo at the counter. Also like CVS, Walgreens is not a passport acceptance facility. The service produces your photos; processing and submission happen elsewhere.

A few important details about the Walgreens digital copy:

• The emailed file starts from the capture used for the 2×2 prints. For online renewal it must be an original accepted file—not a scan or photo of the print—and fall within the 54 KB–10 MB range.
• PhotoPass can flag file type and file size only; the official application and State Department employee review make the acceptance decision.
• Confirm your email address character by character at checkout. There is no easy way to resend the file after the transaction closes if the address was entered incorrectly.

When Walgreens Makes Sense

• You need both prints and a digital file — Walgreens bundles them at no additional cost, saving nearly five dollars versus CVS.
• You want the most cost-effective in-store option for digital-ready passport photos.
• A Walgreens is conveniently located for your errands or schedule.

When Walgreens Is a Less Optimal Choice

• Your nearest Walgreens does not have an active photo department or trained staff available. Walgreens photo hours can vary by location — call ahead.
• You want a USB copy for local physical backup — CVS offers this (at higher cost); Walgreens typically does not.

Which Should You Pick?

For the majority of passport applicants who need both prints and a digital copy, Walgreens is the better deal: lower base price ($16.99 vs. $17.99) and a free digital copy versus CVS's $3.99 add-on. The $4.99 difference across the full transaction is meaningful when you consider it goes to nothing extra in terms of service quality — both use trained associates, white backdrops, and standard photo equipment.

The cases where CVS makes more sense are narrow:

• You genuinely only need physical prints and CVS is significantly more convenient geographically.
• You want a USB copy for local physical backup, which CVS explicitly offers and Walgreens typically does not.
• Your local Walgreens photo department has limited hours or unreliable staffing compared to CVS.

In every other scenario, Walgreens wins on value. Both are honest, legitimate services. Neither applies digital filters or background modifications, which is exactly what the State Department requires — the photo must reflect how you actually look under natural conditions.

One thing worth emphasizing: CVS and Walgreens sell photo services, not government approval. A retailer file for online renewal must meet the current accepted format, file-size, original-photo, and visual rules. Neither retailer nor a third-party checker can guarantee State Department acceptance.

When the Online Option Fits Better

Both CVS and Walgreens require you to show up in person, wait for an associate, and pay for a new photo session — even if you already have a recent photo that meets the State Department's requirements. That in-store model has real costs: time, transportation, and the fee itself.

For applicants who already have a suitable photo — taken at home, by a friend, or from a previous application session that was not submitted — the online option is frequently a better fit:

• You already have a suitable original. The U.S. file checker can flag file type or file-size issues before you apply, without changing the photo. You must review visual requirements yourself.
• You are doing an online renewal. You need an original JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF file from 54 KB to 10 MB, not physical prints. Upload and crop it only inside the official application.
• You are willing to retake if needed. If your own visual review finds a bad background, shadow, blur, glasses, or expression, take a new original rather than editing it.

PhotoPass checks U.S. file type and file size without altering the original. It does not inspect visual compliance or submit your passport application. Renew only on the official State Department .gov website.

If you have an original on hand, use the PhotoPass photo checker to verify file type and file size. It cannot inspect visual compliance or certify State Department acceptance. Review the current online and paper requirements before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CVS or Walgreens cheaper for passport photos?

Walgreens is cheaper in nearly every scenario. For prints only: Walgreens $16.99 vs. CVS $17.99 — a one-dollar difference. For prints plus a digital copy: Walgreens $16.99 (digital included) vs. CVS $21.98 ($17.99 + $3.99 add-on) — nearly five dollars less. The only scenario where CVS is competitive is if you want a USB drive copy, which CVS offers at $10.99 and Walgreens typically does not.

Is the Walgreens free digital copy ready for the online renewal portal?

It may be if it is the original digital capture, uses an accepted format, falls between 54 KB and 10 MB, and meets the visual rules. Do not scan the prints. A preliminary checker can flag supported issues, but it cannot certify the file as accepted.

Are CVS and Walgreens passport acceptance facilities?

No. Neither CVS nor Walgreens is an acceptance facility. Both retailers take passport photos only — they do not process, review, or accept passport applications. For a traditional paper application, you must bring your prints to a designated acceptance facility such as certain USPS locations, federal courthouses, or public libraries. For an online renewal, you upload your photo digitally through the State Department's portal. CVS and Walgreens play no role in the submission process.

Can I use a CVS or Walgreens photo for online renewal?

Yes, if the retailer provides the original digital capture and it meets every current online requirement. Both services can provide an emailed file, but neither retailer nor a third-party checker guarantees acceptance. Upload and crop the unchanged original in the official application.

Do I need to book an appointment at CVS or Walgreens for a passport photo?

No. Both CVS and Walgreens offer walk-in passport photo services — no appointment is required. However, availability depends on whether a trained photo associate is on duty when you arrive. Staffing and photo department hours vary by location and can differ from the store's overall operating hours. If you are on a tight deadline, call the specific location ahead of time to confirm an associate will be available. Mid-morning on a weekday is typically less busy than evenings or weekends.

What if my CVS or Walgreens photo is rejected by the State Department?

If the State Department returns your application due to a photo issue, follow the exact notice and deadline to obtain a new photo. You are not limited to the same retailer. Use PhotoPass only to rule out file type and file-size problems; it cannot diagnose the specific visual reason for a prior rejection.

Prices checked: July 21, 2026. Retailer prices and availability vary by location.