PricesUpdated 2 min read

Post office passport photos: price and how it works

If you are already going to the post office to apply, getting the photo there can make sense. Here is what it costs and the catches.

Quick answer

Photo price
$15 for two prints
Acceptance fee
$35, separate
Available at
Select post offices only
Digital copy
Not usually offered
On this page
  1. How much is a passport photo at the post office?
  2. The catches
  3. When it makes sense
  4. When another option is better
  5. A first-time US passport in 2026: what you'll pay

How much is a passport photo at the post office?

Post offices that offer the service charge $15 for passport photos in 2026. This is separate from the $35 acceptance (execution) fee the post office charges to handle a first-time passport application, and separate again from the State Department's application fee.

The catches

  • Not every post office takes photos. Only some passport acceptance facilities have a camera.
  • Many locations work by appointment, so book ahead.
  • You get printed photos only. A digital file for online forms usually isn't provided.

When it makes sense

If you have a first-time passport appointment (Form DS-11) at a post office that offers photos, getting the photo in the same visit is convenient. You'll pay $15 for the photo plus $35 to the post office and $130 to the State Department for an adult passport book.

When another option is better

  • Renewing by mail or online? You don't need to visit an acceptance facility at all, so taking the photo at home is simpler.
  • Need a digital photo for online renewal, a visa form or the DV lottery? The post office won't give you one.
  • Want it cheaper? A home photo printed as a regular 4 × 6 print costs under a dollar.

A first-time US passport in 2026: what you'll pay

ItemCost
Application fee (adult book), paid to State Department$130
Acceptance fee, paid to the post office$35
Photo at the post office (optional)$15

Source: State Department fee chart (October 2026). Expedited service and faster delivery cost extra.

Take the photo yourself with our passport photo maker and bring the printed photo to your appointment.

Questions

How much is a passport photo at USPS?

$15 at post offices that offer the service, separate from the $35 acceptance fee.

Do all post offices take passport photos?

No. Only select locations offer photos, and many require an appointment.

Can I bring my own passport photo to the post office?

Yes. A printed photo that meets the State Department's rules is accepted with your application.

Sources

Checked on 4 Nov 2026. Prices and rules change; always confirm with the official source before you apply. SnapToSubmit is an independent service, not a government website.

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