Passport photos can be surprisingly tricky to get right. In fact, poor photos are one of the top reasons passport applications get held up or denied. According to the U.S. Department of State, a whopping 10-20% of passport photos submitted with applications are rejected for not meeting their strict requirements. And with passport processing times taking 10-12 weeks in 2023, you don‘t want your photo to add any extra delays.
Many people think they can just snap a selfie, cut it to size, and call it good. But the reality is, DIY passport photos rarely cut it. The lighting, sizing, backdrop, and framing requirements are highly specific. Unless you have a professional photography setup at home, it‘s surprisingly difficult to get a compliant passport photo on your own.
That‘s why many people opt to get passport photos taken by professionals who know all the rules and can get it right the first time. Target has emerged as one of the most popular places to get passport photos, thanks to their affordable pricing and over 1,800 convenient locations nationwide. But how much does a passport photo at Target cost? What is the process like? And is it the best option? Let‘s take a closer look.
Target Passport Photo Cost
As of 2023, a set of two 2×2 inch passport photos at Target costs $12.99. This is a very competitive price compared to other popular passport photo providers. Here‘s how Target‘s price stacks up:
| Store | Passport Photo Cost |
|---|---|
| Target | $12.99 |
| Walmart | $12.99 |
| CVS | $16.99 |
| Walgreens | $16.99 |
| Costco | $4.99 (members only) |
| Post Office | $15.00 |
As you can see, Target matches Walmart for the lowest retail store price at $12.99 for two passport photos. Drug stores like CVS and Walgreens charge a few dollars more at around $16.99. The post office is also pricier at $15, though you may appreciate the convenience of getting your photos at the same place you apply for your passport.
Costco does offer cheaper passport photos at just $4.99. However, you must be a Costco member to access this price, which starts at $60 per year. So unless you are already a loyal Costco shopper, it may not be worth the membership fee just to save a few bucks on passport pictures.
For the vast majority of people, Target offers the best mix of price and convenience for passport photos. With over 1,800 stores located within 10 miles of 75% of the U.S. population, it‘s easy to find a Target nearby no matter where you live. And at just $12.99, the cost is much more reasonable than other retail options.
Target Passport Photo Process
Getting a passport photo taken at Target is quick and easy. No appointment is ever needed – just head to your local Target store with a photo center and you can get your picture taken on the spot. Most Target stores have photo centers, which you can usually find near the electronics section. You can check if your local Target offers passport photos using their online store locator.
Once you arrive at the photo center, let the team member know you need passport photos. They will direct you to a chair or photo backdrop to pose for your picture. The whole process takes less than 10 minutes in most cases:
- The Target team member will take your photo following passport photo guidelines
- They will crop and adjust your photo to meet the 2×2 inch size requirement
- They will print two copies of your passport photo on the proper high-quality photo paper
- Your passport photos will be ready to pick up at the photo counter in about 5 minutes
Before printing your photo, the Target photo specialist will review it for compliance with all of the official passport photo rules. This includes checking the sizing, lighting, backdrop, and your appearance. If anything looks off, they will have you retake the photo right then and there – that way you can feel confident your photos will be accepted with your passport application.
Some common reasons a passport photo might need to be retaken include:
- Wearing glasses or sunglasses
- Hats, large accessories, or hair covering the face
- Smiling, frowning, or other non-neutral expressions
- Lighting too dark or uneven
- Shadows or glare on the face
- Busy or non-white background
- Blurry or low resolution photo
The Target team members are well trained in passport photo requirements, so you can trust them to get a good picture. They take dozens of passport photos every day and know all the potential pitfalls to avoid. Having your photo taken at Target saves you the stress and wasted time of potentially getting your application halted over an unacceptable photo.
Target Online Passport Photos
Don‘t live near a Target store? You can also use Target‘s online passport photo service to submit a digital photo and have compliant hard copies shipped to you. The process is slightly different than going in-store:
- Go to the Target passport photo page and click "Get Started"
- Follow the on-screen instructions to upload a well-lit photo of yourself against a plain background
- The Target system will scan your photo and guide you through the process of taking a compliant photo
- Once you have a passport photo that meets all the requirements, add it to your cart to check out
- At checkout, pay the $12.99 fee and enter the shipping address where you want your photos sent
- Your two 2×2 inch passport photos will arrive in the mail within 1-3 business days
The benefit of using Target‘s online passport photo system is that it scans your photo for issues before you submit it. The software uses AI to detect your face and check for proper lighting, backdrop, sizing, and more. It will prompt you to fix any problems and guide you to capture a passport-worthy shot.
However, taking your own passport photo can still be tricky even with guided software. You need to find a spot with the right lighting and a plain white backdrop, which can be difficult in a home setting. If you have a Target photo center nearby, getting your picture taken in-store is still the most failproof option. But if you need the convenience of submitting a photo online, Target‘s system is about as user-friendly as it gets.
Is a $12.99 Target Passport Photo Worth It?
Now you know the process and cost of getting a passport photo at Target. But you may still be wondering, is it really worth paying $12.99 to have a store take your photo? Can‘t you just DIY it and save a few bucks?
As a consumer expert and avid traveler, I believe that getting your passport photo taken professionally is almost always worth the small added cost. Here‘s why:
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Passport photo requirements are extremely particular. It is very difficult for the average person to get the lighting, sizing, and backdrop exactly right on their own. Unless you have photography experience and equipment, your DIY passport photo is likely to get rejected.
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Every time your passport photo is denied, it delays the processing of your application. You have to submit a new photo and get pushed to the back of the line. Passport applications are already taking 10+ weeks to process, so you don‘t want the added wait from a rejected photo.
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If you are applying for a passport for the first time, you will need to apply in person. Having your photo taken at the same place you apply (like the post office) can add convenience. But if you are renewing your passport, you will apply by mail – making the convenience of a Target photo more appealing.
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Target offers a satisfaction guarantee on passport photos. In the unlikely event your Target photo gets denied with your application, they will retake your picture for free. You won‘t get that assurance with a DIY photo.
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In the grand scheme of passport and travel costs, $12.99 for compliant photos is a drop in the bucket. It‘s a small price to pay for the peace of mind that a professional, vetted photo provides. Considering the cost of international flights and trips, it‘s not worth risking travel delays to save pocket change on pictures.
For all of these reasons, I highly recommend getting your passport photos taken at Target or another authorized passport photo center. It is the most affordable and reliable way to check this important step off your passport to-do list.
Target Passport Photo Tips
To make your Target passport photo experience as smooth as possible, keep these tips in mind:
- Avoid wearing white, black, or patterned clothing. Opt for a colored top that contrasts with the backdrop.
- Style your hair away from your face and skip any large accessories or jewelry.
- If you wear glasses, you will need to remove them for the photo. Consider wearing contacts that day if needed.
- Maintain a neutral, non-smiling expression. Keep your mouth closed and eyes open.
- Stand up straight and face the camera head-on. Don‘t tilt your head or turn to the side.
- If you have infants or young children who need passport photos, bring an extra adult to help wrangle them.
- Let the Target team member know if you have any medical conditions that may impact your appearance or expression.
- Remember, there‘s no shame in needing a few takes to get your photo right. The Target photo team deals with tricky passport photos all day long, so they will work with you to get an acceptable shot.
- Try to get your Target passport photos taken well before you need to submit your passport application. That way if you run into any issues, you will have wiggle room to sort it out.
If you follow these simple tips and trust the Target photo specialists, you should have good-to-go passport photos in hand for an affordable price in a matter of minutes.
The Bottom Line on Target Passport Photos
When it comes time to get a passport photo, Target should be high on your list of options. Their convenient store locations, cheap $12.99 price for two photos, and quick in-store service make them one of the best choices for knocking out this essential travel to-do.
Rather than wasting time and risking rejection with a DIY passport photo, head to your local Target Photo Center and let the experts get the job done right. In about five minutes, you can cross this off your list and move on to more exciting parts of trip planning.
Bon voyage!
