Is Walgreens passport photo the cheapest option?
What's the scoop withWalgreens passport photo?
If you need to renew your passport photo or you need passport-sized photos for another reason, there's plenty of places where you can get some printed. Now considering that there's offers popping up online all the time for you to get piles of photos printed for just the cost of shipping, you may think a passport photo or two would be cheap these days too. Unfortunately, though, many places like popular drugstores overcharge instead.
We take a look at some of the choices you havewhen needing a passport photo (including Walgreens, Walmart and CVS) to see which is currently cheapest.We also check the do-it-yourself option, which more and more people are utilizing to save a bundle.
What else is in this post?
- What's the scoop with Walgreens passport photo?
- What are the official passport photo requirements?
- Is Walgreens passport photo the cheapest option?
- The DIY Option
- What else do I need to know about Walgreens passport photo?
What are the official passport photo requirements?
With your passport application, you need to enclose one color photo on matte or glossy photo quality paper and it needs to be2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size. It must have been taken recently(within the last 6 months) and in front ofa plain white or off-white background. There are a fair few other official stipulations, which you can read here on US Passports & International Travel.
IsWalgreens passport photo the cheapest option?
Unfortunately not.Walgreensin-storecharges a whopping $13.99 for 2 photosand offer same-day pickup at select locations. You may be lucky enough to find a discount voucher in your local newspaper, though, to get them discounted to just $5, but otherwise this is a really expensive option.
CVS Photosells a set for $12.99in-store, but usually offers a $2 off coupon hereyear-round. Still a rip-off, though!
You can create your own passport photos online withWalmart, to collectin one hour, or have them taken in-store as usual. It costs $7.96for 2 photos, even if you do most of the work yourself!
Costcomembers get four passport photos in-store for just$5.18, though some smaller locations don't offer the service. Find your local Costco hereand call before you make a special trip.
The cheapest in-store option we found was for Sam's Club members, at $4.96, but find your local store here and then call first here, too.
The DIY Option
You are allowed to take your passport photograph yourself, but you must follow the same guidelines.Your photo needs to be scanned ata resolution of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter). You can use theDepartment of State's free photo tool to upload your photo, then re-size or crop and save to your computer to print later. Your photos only cost a few cents each!
What else doI need to know about Walgreens passport photo?
Sam's Club and Costco are the clear winners of the store options listed here, although if you're not a member then the Walmart tool is much cheaper than getting photos done at CVS or Walgreens.
However,printing your own is definitely the way forward!