Short answer: for a U.S. passport photo, Walgreens is $1 cheaper than CVS for the prints alone, and $5 cheaper once you need a digital copy for an online renewal. Otherwise the two services are close: no appointment, an associate takes the photo, and you leave with two 2x2 inch prints a few minutes later.
Every price and policy below comes from the store's own passport photo page, checked on October 15, 2026. Local prices and promotions can differ, so the links are there for you to confirm before you go.
CVS vs Walgreens at a Glance
| CVS | Walgreens | |
|---|---|---|
| Two 2x2 inch prints | $17.99 | $16.99 |
| Digital copy | $3.99 extra, sent by email | Free, sent by email |
| Prints + digital copy | $21.98 | $16.99 |
| Appointment | Not needed | Not needed |
| Ready in | Within minutes | Typically a few minutes |
| Babies and children | Yes, all ages | Yes, all ages |
| Where | Select CVS Pharmacy locations | In store at most Walgreens locations |
Sources: CVS passport photos and Walgreens passport photos. CVS also sells your photo files on an 8 GB USB drive for $10.99. Walgreens describes its photos as guaranteed to be government compliant and regularly runs coupon codes on the same page.
The Digital Copy Is the Real Difference
If you are renewing by mail, you only need the two prints, and the gap is $1. If you are renewing online, you need a digital photo, not a print, as the USPS passport page points out. That is where the two chains split: Walgreens emails the file at no charge, while CVS charges $3.99 for it on top of the $17.99 prints.
Before you pay for a digital copy anywhere, check whether you need prints at all. An online renewal only takes the file, so a photo you make at home costs nothing.
What It Costs a Family
A child's passport cannot be renewed: each one is a new in-person application with printed photos, so a family trip usually means prints for everyone. At list prices:
| People | CVS (prints) | CVS (prints + digital) | Walgreens (prints + digital) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $17.99 | $21.98 | $16.99 |
| 2 | $35.98 | $43.96 | $33.98 |
| 4 | $71.96 | $87.92 | $67.96 |
Walmart and the Post Office
- Walmart: passport photos are in store only, with no appointment. Stores with the newer kiosk let you take the photo yourself, and the kiosk software tells you whether the image passes; otherwise an associate helps. A USB with the image is optional. Walmart's photo page does not list a price, so ask at your store.
- USPS: many Post Offices that accept passport applications also take photos, printed or digital on a USB drive, for a fee. You book it as a photo-only appointment or together with a new passport appointment. The fee is not listed on the USPS passport page.
Sources: Walmart Photo passport photos and the USPS passport page. One practical difference: CVS states it is not a passport acceptance facility, while many Post Offices are, so if you are applying in person for the first time, a Post Office lets you do the photo and the application in one visit.
The Cheaper Way: Make It at Home, Print It as a Regular Photo
Both chains sell ordinary photo prints for far less than a passport photo. Walgreens lists prints and enlargements, including 4x6, from $0.29, and CVS lists photo prints from $0.42 (the starting price; size and quantity change it). A 4x6 print has room for more than one 2x2 photo, so one print can cover two people's applications.
- Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall, facing a window, and have someone take the photo with a phone.
- Open the free editor on this site, choose U.S. passport, and line your head up with the guide. It exports a 600 x 600 pixel JPEG, and the photo is processed in your browser.
- Lay the photo out on a 4x6 sheet at 300 dpi with PrintSheet, which adds cutting guides.
- Order the 4x6 as a regular same-day print at CVS or Walgreens, then measure one photo before you cut: it must be exactly 2 x 2 inches.
Tools for steps 2 and 3: the passport photo editor and PrintSheet's 4x6 layout. The editor crops and sizes; it does not replace the background, so the wall matters. Our background rules guide shows what passes, and these examples show the common reasons photos get rejected.
Some photo labs scale images to fill the paper. Choose the option that prints the image without cropping or resizing, and check the 2-inch measurement on the first print before ordering more.
When the Store Is the Better Choice
- You need prints today and have no one to take the photo for you
- You don't have a plain light wall or decent daylight at home
- You are photographing a baby and want someone experienced holding the camera
- You want the store's compliance guarantee (Walgreens states one on its page)
- You are applying in person at a Post Office anyway and can book the photo in the same appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Walgreens or CVS cheaper for passport photos?
Walgreens, at list price: $16.99 for two prints versus $17.99 at CVS. With a digital copy the gap grows to $5, because Walgreens includes it and CVS charges $3.99.
Is Walgreens or CVS cheaper for regular photo prints?
Both list starting prices well under a dollar per print: Walgreens from $0.29 and CVS from $0.42 as of October 15, 2026. CVS also runs bulk 4x6 promotions with a minimum order, so the cheaper store depends on how many prints you order that week.
Do I need an appointment at CVS or Walgreens?
No. Both say you can walk up to the photo counter. Not every location offers the service, so it is worth calling ahead.
Do CVS and Walgreens take baby passport photos?
Yes, both take passport photos for all ages, including babies. Our baby passport photo guide covers how to do it at home if a store visit with an infant is a hassle.
Can I hand in my passport application at CVS?
No. CVS says it is not a passport acceptance facility and does not issue passports. First-time applications go to an acceptance facility such as a participating Post Office.
Renewing online? Make the digital photo at home and skip the store fee.
Make Your Passport Photo