Print compliant passport photo at retail: use PixID printable sheet, upload to cvs.com/photo or photo.walgreens.com or walmart.com/photo, order 4×6, ~$0.25–$0.50, same-day pickup. Cut to 2×2. Do not use in-store passport photo service; use self-service print. Kiosk: turn off auto-correct/enhance.

US Passport Guide · Last verified: February 2026

How to Print a Passport Photo at CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart

You have a compliant digital file from PixID. This guide explains how to get printed copies at a retail store for $0.35 — no home printer needed, no in-store photo service required.

Written by the PixID.studio compliance team · February 2026. See State Department photo requirements.

TL;DR: Upload your PixID printable sheet to cvs.com/photo, photo.walgreens.com, or walmart.com/photo. Order 4×6 inch — ~$0.35. Same-day pickup, cut to 2×2 at home.

Why print at retail

In-store passport photo services (CVS, Walgreens, FedEx) charge $14–$18 for two printed photos. If you already have a compliant digital file, you can skip the photo service entirely and just print a 4×6 sheet at the same stores for $0.25–$0.50. Cut it yourself — done.

This works because the State Department and other passport authorities care about the photo specs, not who printed it.

What you need before you go

  • The file you downloaded from PixID — do not resize, filter, compress, or re-save it. The file is already the correct dimensions and resolution.
  • Use the printable sheet option — on the PixID download page, select "Printable sheet." This gives you a single 4×6 file with multiple passport-size images already laid out with crop marks. Print the whole sheet and cut along the lines.
  • If you only have the individual photo file (not the sheet), print it as a 4×6 and cut one 2×2 image from it — or use an online layout tool to create a multi-image sheet first.

CVS Photo

Online (recommended):

  1. Go to cvs.com/photo
  2. Upload your 4×6 printable sheet file
  3. Select size: 4×6 inch, quantity: 1, finish: glossy or matte
  4. Choose your local CVS for same-day pickup
  5. Pay online, pick up in ~1 hour

In store: Use the CVS photo kiosk. Insert a USB drive with your file, or log into your CVS photo account. Select the image, choose 4×6, pay at the kiosk, and wait for the print.

Price: ~$0.35 per 4×6 print.

Walgreens Photo

Online (recommended):

  1. Go to photo.walgreens.com
  2. Upload your printable sheet file
  3. Select 4×6, choose same-day pickup at your local store
  4. Pay and pick up in ~1 hour

In store: Use the Walgreens photo kiosk. Insert USB or access photos uploaded online. Select 4×6, pay, collect prints.

Price: ~$0.35 per 4×6 print.

Walmart Photo

Online (recommended):

  1. Go to walmart.com/photo
  2. Upload your printable sheet file
  3. Select 4×6, choose your store, checkout
  4. Same-day pickup at most locations

In store: Walmart photo kiosks accept USB drives. Select your image, choose 4×6, pay.

Note: Walmart also offers an in-store passport photo service where they take your photo. That is separate — and costs more. You want the self-service print option using your own file.

Price: ~$0.25–$0.35 per 4×6 print.

Cutting to size

After pickup, cut the sheet along the crop marks with scissors or a paper trimmer. For US passport photos (2×2 inches / 51×51 mm):

  • Use a ruler and sharp scissors, or a paper trimmer for clean edges
  • Cut exactly to 2×2 — no white border should remain
  • Edges should be clean and straight

If you printed the PixID printable sheet, the crop marks are already on the sheet. If you printed just the individual photo on a 4×6, measure and cut one 2×2 from the center.

Quality check after pickup

Before submitting your application, check the print:

  • Colours look natural — no strong colour tint, skin tones accurate
  • Sharp and clear — not blurry or pixelated
  • No defects — no scratches, smudges, or printer lines across the face
  • Background is uniform — no colour variation or shadows in the background

If something looks off, ask the store to reprint. The issue is usually the kiosk printer settings, not your file. Your PixID file is correct — show them the digital version to compare.

Don't have your compliant photo yet?

Create a compliant digital photo at PixID — then use this guide to print it at CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart for $0.35.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I print a passport photo at CVS for $0.35?
Yes. Upload your 4×6 printable sheet to cvs.com/photo and order a standard 4×6 print for ~$0.35. Pick up same day. Cut to 2×2 at home.
Will a retail-printed photo be accepted for a passport?
Yes. The State Department and other passport authorities accept photos regardless of where they were printed, provided the photo meets the technical specifications. What matters is the photo content — size, background, head position, expression — not the printer.
What size should I order at the kiosk?
Order 4×6 inch. This is the standard print size at all retail photo labs. Your printable sheet from PixID is designed for 4×6. Do not order wallet size or passport size from the kiosk — those options at retail use the store's own cropping which may not be accurate.
Can I use Walmart instead of CVS or Walgreens?
Yes. All three work the same way. Walmart is often the cheapest ($0.25–$0.30 per print). CVS and Walgreens are typically $0.35. Use whichever is most convenient.
Do I need to tell the store it's a passport photo?
No. You are ordering a standard 4×6 print. The store does not need to know or do anything special. Do not ask for their passport photo service — that is a different, more expensive option where they take the photo.
What if the kiosk changes the colours or crops the image?
Most kiosks have an "auto-correct" or "enhance" option that is on by default. Turn it off. You want to print the file exactly as-is — no auto-crop, no colour enhancement, no border adjustments.

See also