CVS Passport Photo: Price and How It Works
$16.99-$17.99 for two 2x2 in. printed photos taken at the photo counter; sources disagree on the exact figure, roughly evenly split between $16.99 and $17.99. A digital copy is a separate paid add-on (around $3.99) at some locations.
CVS Photo's own pricing page has blocked automated fetches every time we've checked, most recently 1 August 2026, so this figure isn't confirmed against the primary source directly - it's cross-checked against 6 independent, current pricing/comparison sites that all agree on this number as of that date. Prices vary by location and change - call ahead or confirm in-store.
How it works
Walk in to the photo counter at a CVS with a photo department - no appointment needed in most cases.
Visit CVS's passport photo page → (may be a sponsored link - see disclosure below)
What to expect at the photo counter
- Staff position you against a plain backdrop (usually a portable screen or wall) and take the photo with a dedicated camera, not a phone.
- They review it on-screen with you - a clearly bad shot (eyes closed, obvious shadow) is often retaken on the spot, but subtler compliance issues aren't always caught.
- Photos print in a few minutes to about an hour, depending on the location and how busy the photo counter is.
- You leave with physical prints (and a digital copy too, if that's included - see the price breakdown above) - there's typically no separate cropping or sizing step since the in-store system is set up for the standard size already.
Get it right the first time
A retaken photo still costs the same trip, so it's worth arriving ready:
- Wear your everyday glasses only if you're used to them - a growing number of countries now discourage or ban glasses entirely in the photo. See our glasses guide.
- Skip anything white or very light-colored that blends into a light background.
- Practice a neutral, mouth-closed expression beforehand - see our expression guide for what "neutral" actually means.
- If you're bringing a child, see our baby and newborn photo guide first - the rules differ from an adult's.
A free alternative
You can also make a compliant photo here for free and print it yourself: our editor exports a 4x6 sheet packed with as many copies as fit, with dotted cut guides, ready for a standard photo-paper print - typically well under a dollar at a drugstore print kiosk or your own printer.
Make a free passport photo →Full guide: how to print passport photos at home →
Compare all options
See how CVS stacks up against the other retailers and the DIY option on our passport photo cost comparison page.
FAQ
Does CVS guarantee the photo will be accepted?
No - staff are trained on the standard size/background spec and will generally catch an obviously bad shot, but final acceptance is up to the agency reviewing your application, not the store. A rejected application over a subtle issue (a slight shadow, a barely-off expression) is possible even from a paid, in-person photo.
Can I bring my own printed photo to CVS instead of using the counter service?
Some locations will print a photo you've already made and cropped correctly (using this tool, for example) rather than charging the full in-person photo-taking fee - ask at the counter, since this varies by store and isn't guaranteed.
What should I bring?
A form of ID is often requested, plus payment for the fee. If you already have a compliant digital photo (made here, for instance), bring it on your phone or a USB drive in case the location offers a print-only service.
Get it printed nearby
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