Guides / pricing
What Should a Passport Photo Cost? (2026 price check)
From $0.35 at a kiosk to $17 at a shipping store — here is what the same 2×2in photo costs across every route, and what you are actually paying for.
| Route | Typical price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Self-service kiosk (CVS/Walmart) + our $5.99 pack | ≈$6.34 total | Compliance pre-check, exact crop, print sheet — you print when the check passes |
| Drugstore photo counter | $14–$17 | Same 2×2in photos, taken and printed in store |
| Shipping store (UPS/FedEx) | $12–$15 | In-store shooting + print |
| Other online makers | $2.95–$13.95 | Download only; print sheet often sold separately (e.g. $2.90 extra) |
| Walmart photo app | ~$7.64 | App-based photo + print bundle |
What the price difference actually buys
The expensive routes bundle two things: a human taking your photo, and the print. The photo-taking part is only worth paying for when your country requires it (Canada does) or when you cannot get a compliant shot at home. The formatting part — millimeter crop, white background where allowed, head-size check, print sheet — is deterministic, which is why it can cost $5.99 instead of $15.
Our pricing, stated plainly
- Free: upload, background-removal preview, on-screen pre-check. No download, no card.
- $5.99 one-time: full-resolution download + compliance pre-check report + 4×6in print sheet.
- $9.90/month: the same, up to 25 photos per month. Capped, on purpose — unlimited plans invite abuse and we price honestly instead.
A warning is a warning
No payment resolves a failed pre-check. If the tool flags your face angle or shadows, retake the photo first — paying does not make a non-compliant photo compliant.