US Passport Guide · 16 October 2026
Sam's Club Passport Photos: Closed (June 2020)
Last verified 16 October 2026 · How we verify
Quick answer: Sam's Club photo centers stopped passport sittings on 29 June 2020. Clubs may still print a 4×6 sheet. Do not go for a passport-photo package. For a digital file use PixID at $4.99. Official US rules: travel.state.gov. Always call your club — photo hours and services vary by location.
Written by the PixID.studio compliance team · travel.state.gov (passport) · USCIS photograph requirements (immigration forms) · pricing indicative — confirm locally.
Quick answer: Photo centers closed on 29 June 2020. A club may still print a 4×6 sheet. For a passport sitting, use Walmart ($7.64) or Walgreens ($16.99). For a digital file, PixID is $4.99.
Need a digital file for DS-160 or online renewal?
Walk-in counters usually sell prints only. Create a compliant JPEG at https://www.pixid.studio/idphoto — $4.99, no AI face alteration, free redo if your photo fails our check (per Terms). DS-160: /idphoto?document=US%20Visa.
Create digital photo at /idphoto →
What PixID scores on upload: compliance anatomy, the named check list, and lighting mastery for clean white or off-white walls.
Sam's Club vs Costco
Costco stopped in-store passport photos in February 2021. Sam's Club photo centers closed on 29 June 2020. Neither chain is a place to sit for a passport photo.
Sam's Club passport photo price (2026)
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| PixID.studio — digital JPEG + 4×6 sheet | $4.99 |
| Sam's Club — two 2×2 prints (members) | Closed 29 June 2020 |
| Walmart — walk-in passport | ~$7.64 |
| CVS / Walgreens | ~$16.99 |
Does Sam's Club do passport photos?
Yes — many Sam's Club warehouses include a Photo Center that can capture US passport-style 2×2 inch images and print them on photo paper. Sam's operates 600+ US locations; coverage is broad but not universal, and some clubs have reduced counter hours or shifted more printing to kiosks and apps. Unlike Costco, which largely wound down in-store passport capture in favour of online fulfilment partners, Sam's has kept walk-in passport photo service at many clubs — always call ahead before you make a special trip.
The typical flow is walk-in: a staff member or self-service station captures you against a light background, prints two identical images, and hands you the strip. Processing usually takes 10–15 minutes when the Photo Center is staffed. You do not receive a downloadable JPEG for State Department uploads — you get prints only, which is why travellers who renew online or file DS-160 often pair a retail print with a separate digital file from PixID.
Membership requirement
Sam's Club requires an active membership to enter the warehouse and use member-priced services. If you are not already a member, paying an annual fee for a single passport photo rarely makes sense — compare Walmart (no membership) or PixID first.
| Membership | Typical annual fee (2026) | Implication for one photo |
|---|---|---|
| Club | ~$50/year | First-year cost of a one-off visit is dominated by the fee unless you already shop at Sam's. |
| Plus | ~$110/year | Worth it only if you use other Plus benefits; not for passport photos alone. |
Fees change — check samsclub.com before joining.
US passport photo rules (same everywhere)
Whether you use Sam's Club, a drugstore, or PixID, the US Department of State specifications are identical: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), plain white or off-white background, neutral expression, both eyes open, no glasses in most cases, head height 1–1⅜ inches from chin to crown, taken within 6 months. Digital renewals often ask for a square JPEG 600×600 pixels or larger — which is why a digital pipeline matters even when you also want paper copies.
| Requirement | US passport photo |
|---|---|
| Print size | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) |
| Background | White or off-white |
| Expression | Neutral, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not permitted (exceptions rare) |
| Recency | Within 6 months |
Biometric layouts follow international guidance such as ICAO Doc 9303.
Does Sam's Club provide a digital passport photo?
Usually no — you get printed 2×2 photos. For online passport renewal, DS-160, USCIS uploads, or the DV Lottery, you need a compliant JPEG. PixID outputs State Department–aligned files at 600×600 px minimum.
The ~$0.35 print hack (Sam's Club or Walmart)
You can combine a PixID digital file with a cheap 4×6 print:
- 1Create a compliant 2×2 image with PixID ($4.99).
- 2Download the 4×6 inch template with two passport photos on one sheet.
- 3Order it as a standard 4×6 photo print for pickup at Sam's Club or Walmart — often about $0.35–$0.42.
- 4Cut out the 2×2 prints with a trimmer or scissors.
Same parent company: If Sam's Club cannot help, a nearby Walmart Photo Center is usually the closest like-for-like alternative for walk-in passport prints.
Get a compliant digital photo — $4.99
Build a State Department–ready 2×2 file, then use the cheap 4×6 print path at Sam's Club, Walmart, or any lab.
Get My Photo →Free redo if it fails our check.
Sam's Club vs other passport photo options
Use this table to decide between warehouse club, big-box, drugstore, and online — your best path depends on whether you need a digital JPEG, already pay for membership, and how far you are willing to drive.
| Option | Typical price | Membership | Digital JPEG |
|---|---|---|---|
| PixID.studio | $4.99 | No | Yes |
| Sam's Club | Closed 29 June 2020 | Yes | Usually no |
| Walmart | ~$7.64 | No | Usually no |
| CVS / Walgreens | ~$16.99 | No | Usually no |
| USPS | ~$15.00 | No | Usually no |
Costco no longer offers the same in-store passport capture experience nationwide; treat Sam's as the warehouse-club option only if your local club confirms service. For the lowest all-in cost with both print and file, combine PixID + 4×6 kiosk print (~$5.30 total in many markets).
Sam's Club Photo Center hours
Photo Center hours are often shorter than general warehouse hours — some desks close early on Sundays, or operate only on weekdays. Holiday hours may differ from the main floor. If you are driving to Sam's only for passport photos, call the club and ask for the Photo Center line, not just the front desk. Confirm whether walk-in passport capture is available or whether the club has moved to a kiosk-only workflow.
Is Sam's Club worth it for passport photos?
No. Photo centers closed on 29 June 2020. Use Walmart ($7.64) or Walgreens ($16.99) for a sitting.
No — if you are not a member and only need one photo: the annual fee dominates the cost; use Walmart or PixID instead.
No — if you need a digital file for online renewal, DS-160, USCIS, or DV Lottery: Sam's prints alone are not enough — start with PixID, then optionally print cheaply at Sam's.
Maybe not — if your nearest Sam's is far away: saving a few dollars versus CVS or Walgreens may not justify the round trip when you value time; use PixID from home or a closer drugstore.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Sam's Club passport photos?
Do you need a Sam's Club membership?
Does Sam's Club give a digital passport file?
Is Sam's cheaper than CVS or Walgreens?
What are Sam's Club Photo Center hours?
Is Sam's cheaper than Walmart for passport photos?
Does Costco still do passport photos?
Can I print a PixID 4×6 sheet at Sam's?
Sam's Club pricing verified 16 October 2026 — confirm at your local store. US passport photo rules: travel.state.gov.