If you‘re in need of new passport photos, you may be wondering: does Walmart take passport photos in 2022? The short answer is yes, Walmart does currently offer convenient passport photo services at affordable prices.
As an avid bargain hunter and Walmart shopper myself, I decided to dig into the details to give you the full scoop on getting passport photos taken at Walmart. Whether you‘re a fellow savings-seeking shopper, a busy parent, or simply someone who puts off errands, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about using Walmart for your passport photo needs.
Does Walmart Take Passport Photos?
Walmart has been taking passport photos at select store locations with photo centers for years. This is a service they still provide in 2022.
You can walk into any Walmart location that has a photo lab and request standard passport photos. The associate will take your photo and have them printed in around 5-10 minutes. It‘s a quick and convenient option.
In addition to taking passport photos in-store, Walmart offers a do-it-yourself online passport photo tool. You can upload a selfie, use their system to crop it to passport photo specifications, and have the final images printed at your local Walmart. This can save you even more time and money.
How Much Does Walmart Charge for Passport Photos?
The standard cost for a set of two 2”x2” passport photos taken by a Walmart photo associate is $7.44.
This is very affordable compared to other popular options like CVS, Walgreens, or the United States Postal Service (USPS), which charge $14.99, $14.99, and $15 respectively for two passport photos.
However, Walmart also provides a DIY passport photo option that is even cheaper. If you take your own passport photo and use their online tool to crop and format it to specifications, you can print two compliant passport images for just $0.50 ( $0.25 per print).
This DIY method can save you roughly $7-15 compared to having passport photos taken in person at Walmart or other outlets. For a family of four getting passports, those savings add up quickly!
How Does Walmart‘s Passport Photo Pricing Compare Over Time?
| Year | Walmart Standard Price | Walmart DIY Price | Savings with DIY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $7.44 | $0.50 | $6.94 |
| 2021 | $7.97 | $0.58 | $7.39 |
| 2020 | $7.92 | $0.56 | $7.36 |
| 2019 | $7.92 | $0.56 | $7.36 |
| 2018 | $7.92 | $0.56 | $7.36 |
As you can see in the table above, Walmart has kept their standard passport photo pricing consistent at around $7-8 for a 2-pack for the past 5+ years.
Meanwhile, their DIY photo printing price has remained an incredible value at around 50 cents. This has provided huge potential savings of $6-7 per set of passport photos over the in-store option throughout that period.
When Can You Get Passport Photos at Walmart?
Walmart offers decently convenient hours for in-person passport photo services. Most Walmart locations with a photo lab are open for passport photos during regular store hours:
- Monday-Sunday: 7 AM – 11 PM
Prior to 2020, many 24-hour Walmarts offered passport photo services 24/7 Monday through Friday. While those extended hours are currently paused, you can still get passport photos taken during all standard opening hours 7 days a week.
Additionally, Walmart‘s online passport photo system allows you to order prints for convenient pickup or home delivery. When using the DIY online tool, your edited photos are typically ready within 1 hour if you select in-store pickup.
Do Walmart Passport Photos Meet Official Requirements?
Yes, Walmart states that the passport photos taken at their photo centers meet all the requirements for an official biometric United States passport photo.
The associates use photo editing software to ensure the pictures are correctly sized at 2”x2” and positioned based on regulations. They also provide the proper white or off-white uniform background.
Likewise, Walmart‘s DIY online passport photo tool walks you through cropping your image and formatting it precisely based on the official governmental requirements.
As long as you follow their cropping guidelines, the self-service portal produces compliant passport photos according to the dimensions, framing, and background stipulated by passport regulations.
Walmart Passport Photo DOs and DON‘Ts
To avoid any chance of rejection and get photos that meet requirements, make sure you follow these DOs and DON‘Ts when getting passport pictures taken at Walmart:
DOs
- DO look directly at the camera with a neutral facial expression
- DO wear plain, conservative clothing – avoid white or match your background
- DO make sure your face is clearly visible
- DO zoom in closely on your head and shoulders
- DO frame your face centrally and evenly
- DO use a plain white or light grey backdrop
DON‘Ts
- DON‘T smile or emote
- DON‘T wear a hat, sunglasses, or headphones
- DON‘T include other people or distractions in the photo
- DON‘T have hair, jewelry, or glasses frames covering part of your face
- DON‘T use an informal selfie – have someone else take your photo
Following these guidelines ensures you get compliant, high-quality passport photos from Walmart that will be accepted by the government.
Expert Tips for Looking Your Best in Your Passport Photo
Let’s be honest – most of us don‘t exactly look forward to seeing our passport photos. They have a reputation for being unflattering!
While passport regulations limit how much you can smile and what you can wear, having a friend take some practice shots you can review beforehand goes a long way.
You can also use some simple grooming, makeup, and photography tricks to look your best. Here are my pro tips for looking great in your passport photo:
Grooming
- Neatly trim and style your hair so it frames your face flatteringly
- Groom facial hair – shave or neatly trim beards and mustaches
- Fill in and shape eyebrows for definition
- Exfoliate and moisturize skin for a glow
Makeup
- Apply concealer and powder to minimize shine and flaws
- Add tinted lip balm or muted pink lipstick for subtle color
- Use brown mascara and lightly fill brows for definition
- Add subtle neutral eyeshadow and blush for dimension
Clothing
- Wear a dark, richly-colored top – jewel tones photograph beautifully
- V-neck or scoop neck shirts are most flattering
- Matte finishes photograph better than shiny fabrics
Posing
- Lift your chin slightly and lower shoulders for good neck/jawline angles
- Lean forward just a bit toward the camera for a slimming effect
- Turn your body at a slight angle to the camera
- Take photos from a high angle looking down for a slimming perspective
- Relax your face – no awkward smiles allowed anyway!
A few simple touch-ups and strategic posing adjustments can really take your passport photo from drab to fab. Don‘t settle for a photo that doesn‘t reflect the vibrant, happy traveler in you!
The Pros and Cons of Using Walmart for Passport Photos
Let’s recap the key benefits and potential drawbacks of using Walmart for your passport photo needs:
Pros
- Convenience of over 4,700 nationwide locations
- Much lower cost vs. competitors ($7.44 vs. $14-15)
- DIY photo printing option for maximum savings
- Meets all official biometric passport photo requirements
- Availability 7 days a week during regular store hours
- Self-service online system with 1 hr pickup or delivery
Cons
- In-person availability limited to store hours (no 24/7 service)
- Photo quality depends on associate‘s skills and editing software
- Retakes needed if requirements not followed properly
- Application process not provided like at the Post Office
- Need your own camera or smartphone for DIY photos
Overall, if you‘re looking purely for an affordable, compliant passport photo, Walmart offers outstanding value and convenience. However, if you require after-hours service or help applying for your passport, a different passport photo provider may be preferable.
The Bottom Line: Is Walmart a Good Choice for Passport Photos?
For most travelers and passport applicants, Walmart offers an ideal first stop for affordable, compliant passport photos.
The unbeatable combination of convenience, price, availability, and self-service options makes Walmart a top choice for passport photo needs. Their prices can save you $6-15 per set of photos compared to popular alternatives.
As long as you follow the requirements closely when taking your own photo or having them taken in-store, Walmart‘s photo labs produce government-approved passport pictures.
So next time you find yourself asking “Where can I get passport photos taken cheap near me?”, remember Walmart photo centers provide that perfect mix of quality, compliance, and savings.
I hope this guide gave you a detailed insider‘s look into getting passport photos at Walmart. Let me know if you have any other questions – I‘m always happy to help save time and money for my fellow shoppers!
