How much does a passport photo cost in 2026?
A passport photo costs between free (DIY at home with a phone) and $25 (premium photo studio). Most people pay between $5 and $15. This guide compares prices across high-street studios, online tools, post offices and DIY in the major English-speaking markets.
Quick answer
Online tools $5-15; studios $10-25; DIY free + risk
Walgreens / CVS / Walmart (US): $12-18 for 2 prints. Boots / Asda (UK): £6-12 for 4 prints. Online tools (Anfas.Pro and similar): €4.99-15 for HD digital + print sheet. DIY at home: free if you already have a phone and printer.
Cost by provider
| Provider | Price | Includes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walgreens (US) | $17.99 | 2 printed photos | Walk-in, takes ~10 minutes |
| CVS Photo (US) | $16.99 | 2 printed photos | Walk-in |
| Walmart (US) | $7.44 | 2 printed photos | Often the cheapest US option |
| US Post Office | $15 | 1 photo + passport application processing | Combined with passport application |
| AAA (US members) | Free | 1 photo | Members only |
| Boots (UK) | £7-12 | 4 printed photos | High-street chain, walk-in |
| Asda (UK) | £4-8 | 4 printed photos | Supermarket photo booth |
| UK Post Office | £8.95 | 4 prints + digital | Includes digital file |
| Anfas.Pro (online) | €4.99 | HD digital + print sheet | 67 countries, 218 documents |
| Other online tools | €8-15 | Varies | Country coverage varies |
| DIY at home | Free | Photo paper if printing | Time investment 30-90 min |
Why prices differ so much
Physical studios charge for the in-person service, the photo paper, the printer and the floor space. Online tools have near-zero marginal cost per photo and can charge less. DIY is free in cash but costs time — typically 30-90 minutes for a first usable photo, more if you need retakes.
Hidden costs to consider
Studio photos for unusual country specifications (China, India, Canada, Russia) often need to be ordered specifically, sometimes at a premium. Online tools without country-specific support can produce technically correct photos that get rejected for the wrong size or background. DIY rejection means another 30+ minutes of work.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the US Post Office cost so much?
The $15 fee is bundled with passport application processing, not just the photo. If you only need a photo without applying through the post office, Walmart at $7.44 is significantly cheaper.
Is AAA free for non-members?
No — AAA passport photos are a members-only benefit. Annual membership is $50-100 depending on level, so it is not worth joining just for the photo.
Can I get a passport photo for free anywhere?
AAA members (US) and Costco members in some regions get them free. Otherwise, DIY at home is the only free option. Most chain stores in the EU charge €5-15.
Why is the Anfas.Pro price the same across all 67 countries?
The cost of running the photo-processing pipeline is essentially fixed per request. We do not charge more for unusual specifications because the work is the same. Our €4.99 also includes the country-specific verification check.
Related guides
Compare €4.99 to the alternatives
Upload a portrait — Anfas.Pro applies the country-specific crop, background and biometric framing in 5 minutes.