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CVS Passport Photos: What You Get for $17.99

CVS charges $17.99 for two 2×2 passport photos — one or two takes, fluorescent lighting, and you're stuck with the result for 10+ years. There's a better way.

Get Photo — $6.99 Full Retail Comparison

The Math

CVS staffed
$17.99
2 photos, no digital
vs
PPF + CVS print
$7.14
6 photos + digital
Save $10.85 and get 4 extra photos

What You Get at CVS

CVS Staffed Passport Photo Service — $17.99

Walk into a participating CVS location, and a staff member takes your photo against a white backdrop using the store's camera. You leave with two printed 2×2 inch passport photos.

Price$17.99
What's includedTwo 2×2 printed passport photos
Digital copy$3.99 add-on (not included by default)
Extra prints$3.99 for two additional prints
Wait time"Within minutes" per CVS
AppointmentNo appointment needed
AvailabilitySelect locations only — not all CVS stores

What CVS Doesn't Guarantee

  • State Department acceptance. CVS staff use basic compliance tools, but they aren't passport photo specialists. Photos can still be rejected for wrong head size, shadows, or lighting issues.
  • Digital file included. Unlike Walgreens (which includes a free digital copy), CVS charges $3.99 extra. If you need a digital file for online passport renewal, budget $21.98 total.
  • Baby/infant expertise. Many CVS locations aren't well-equipped for infant passport photos. The lighting and setup required for babies is challenging in a retail environment.
  • Consistent refund policy. If your photo is rejected by the State Department, CVS's retake/refund policy varies by location and staff.

The Real Problem: One Take, Ten Years

The biggest issue with CVS passport photos isn't the price — it's the experience:

  • You get one or two takes. The CVS employee snaps a photo, maybe two, and that's it. There's a line behind you. You feel rushed. The photo looks "fine" but not great — and it's going on your passport for 10 years or more.
  • Babies and kids are a nightmare. Hauling a toddler to CVS, getting them to sit still under fluorescent lights with a stranger pointing a camera at them — often results in crying, blinking, or blurry shots. At home, you can lay the baby on a white sheet on the floor or prop them in a couch corner — comfortable and relaxed, with unlimited attempts.
  • The lighting isn't flattering. Retail stores use overhead fluorescent lights. That means shadows under your eyes, washed-out skin, and an overall unflattering look.
With PassportPhotoFactory: Turn it into your own mini photoshoot. Try different lighting, outfits, expressions — take as many photos as you want from the comfort of home. Our AI Photo Coach tells you exactly what to fix after each attempt. Keep going until you love the result. This photo is yours for a decade — it should be one you're proud of.

The CVS Visit: What to Expect

1

Check availability. Not all CVS locations offer passport photos. Call ahead or check cvs.com to confirm your store has the service.

2

Go to the photo counter. Let a staff member know you need passport photos. They'll position you against the backdrop and take your photo.

3

Wait for prints. CVS says "within minutes." In practice, it depends on how busy the store is and whether the photo counter is staffed.

4

Pay $17.99 (plus $3.99 for digital, $3.99 for extra prints if needed). You leave with two 2×2 photos.

The Cheaper Alternative: DIY + Print at CVS

Print Your Own at CVS for ~$0.15

The State Department explicitly allows you to take your own passport photo and print it yourself. Here's how to use CVS as a cheap print shop instead of their $17.99 service:

1

Get a compliant photo + 4×6 template. Use PassportPhotoFactory ($6.99) to take your photo, verify compliance, and generate a 4×6 print template with 6 passport photos.

2

Upload to CVS Photo. Go to cvs.com/photo, select Prints → Prints & Enlargements, upload your 4×6 file.

3

Select 4×6 glossy print. Approximately $0.15–$0.32 depending on promotions. Choose same-day pickup at your local store.

4

Pick up and cut to size. Use a ruler and sharp blade to cut the 2×2 photos from the 4×6 sheet. You now have 6 compliant passport photos.

Total cost: $6.99 (PPF) + ~$0.15 (CVS print) = $7.14 for 6 photos + digital file.
That's $10.85 less than CVS's staffed service, and you get 4 extra photos plus a digital copy.

Baby Passport Photos: CVS vs Home

CVS baby passport photo experiences are hit-or-miss. The retail environment isn't ideal for infants — fluorescent lighting, unfamiliar staff, and no way to lay a baby down properly. You get one or two attempts with a fussy baby, and that's your photo.

At home, parents get creative — and it works. We've seen families:

  • Lay the baby on a white sheet on the floor and photograph from above — the easiest way to get a straight-on shot with a neutral background.
  • Prop the baby in the corner of a couch with a white sheet behind them — a common trick that keeps them upright and comfortable for a natural-looking photo.

Take as many shots as you need (10, 20, 50 — it's free), then upload the best one. Our AI removes the background, verifies compliance, and tells you exactly what to fix. No rushing, no strangers, no stress.

Love Your Photo

Your own mini photoshoot at home. Our AI Photo Coach guides you step-by-step. Try unlimited times until you love your photo — all for just $6.99.

Get Photo — $6.99
Unlimited retakes
AI coach for perfect results
State Dept compliant
Digital + 4×6 template
Baby & child support
Print at any store for cents

Related Guides

CVS Passport Photo FAQ

$17.99 for two printed 2×2 photos. Digital copy is $3.99 extra. Two additional prints are another $3.99. So a full package (prints + digital + extras) runs $25.97.

No, not by default. The digital copy is a $3.99 add-on. If you need a digital file for online passport renewal, you'll pay $21.98 total at CVS. Walgreens includes a free digital copy with their $16.99 service.

Yes. The State Department reviews every photo against their specifications. CVS staff use basic tools but aren't trained specialists. Common rejection reasons: wrong head size (must be 1 to 1⅜ inches), shadows on face or background, poor lighting, and non-white background.

Walgreens is cheaper at $16.99 vs CVS at $17.99. More importantly, Walgreens includes a free digital copy while CVS charges $3.99 extra. For prints + digital: CVS = $21.98, Walgreens = $16.99.

Yes. Upload a 4×6 template file to cvs.com/photo or the in-store kiosk. Print as a standard 4×6 for ~$0.15–$0.32. Cut out the individual 2×2 photos. The State Department explicitly allows self-printed photos on photo-quality paper.

Some locations do, but results vary. Many CVS stores aren't well-equipped for infant photos. The State Department allows you to lay a baby on a white sheet and photograph from above at home — this is often easier and produces better results than a retail environment.

Sources

Your Passport Photo Should Be One You Love

Our AI Photo Coach guides you step-by-step. Try unlimited times until you love the result. Then print at CVS for ~$0.15. Total: $7.14 instead of $17.99.

Get Started — $6.99

Works for passports, visas, green cards, and more. See full comparison →