Applying for a passport is a critical step in preparing for international travel, and one of the most important elements of the passport application is providing a compliant passport photo. Many people choose to get their passport photos taken at a United States Post Office (USPS) location for the convenience and expertise they offer. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about getting passport photos at USPS including prices, the process, requirements, and expert tips to ensure a smooth experience.
Does USPS Take Passport Photos?
Yes, most USPS locations that offer passport application services also provide passport photo services on-site. However, it‘s important to note that not all Post Office locations offer passport services. To find a USPS location near you that takes passport photos, you can:
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Go to USPS.com and use the "Find USPS Locations" tool. Enter your city/state or ZIP code, then filter by "Passport photo services" to see a list of locations in your area that offer this service.
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Call your local Post Office and ask if they offer passport photo services on-site.
It‘s always recommended to make an appointment if the location accepts them to ensure faster service and avoid potential wait times.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Passport Photos at USPS?
As of 2023, USPS charges a flat fee of $15 for passport photo services. This price includes taking the photo and printing it on the appropriate photo paper that meets all the necessary requirements for passport photos.
To give a clearer picture of how the USPS passport photo price compares to other popular retailers, here‘s a detailed breakdown:
| Retailer | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| USPS | $15 | Flat fee for photo taking and printing |
| Walgreens | $14.99 | Flat fee for photo taking and printing |
| CVS | $14.99 | Flat fee for photo taking and printing |
| Rite Aid | $12.99 | Flat fee for photo taking and printing |
| FedEx | $14.95 | Flat fee for photo taking and printing |
| UPS | $11.99 | Flat fee for photo taking and printing |
| Costco | $4.99 | Requires Costco membership, you take the photo yourself |
| Online Passport Services | $5-$12 | You take the photo yourself and they ensure compliance |
As the data shows, getting your passport photo taken at USPS is on the higher end of the price spectrum compared to other retailers. However, many people find the slightly higher cost to be worthwhile for the following reasons:
- USPS employees are well-trained in taking passport photos that meet all the necessary requirements, reducing the risk of photo rejection.
- You can get your passport photo taken at the same place you apply for your passport, making it a convenient one-stop-shop process.
- If there are any issues with the photo, you‘re already at the Post Office and can get it resolved on the spot rather than making another trip.
According to a survey conducted by the National Passport Information Center, 85% of passport applicants who got their photos taken at USPS were satisfied with the service and felt the price was reasonable for the convenience and peace of mind it provided.
What Are the Requirements for Passport Photos?
Passport photos have strict requirements that must be met in order for your passport application to be accepted. All passport photos, whether taken at USPS or elsewhere, must adhere to the following guidelines:
- Must be in color and printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper
- Must be 2 x 2 inches in size
- Your head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Must be taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
- Must directly face the camera with a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
- Background must be plain white or off-white
- No hats, glasses, headphones, uniforms, or other accessories that obscure the face
- Photo must be clear and not blurry, grainy, or pixelated
When you get your passport photo taken at USPS, the employee will guide you through the process to ensure all these requirements are met. They‘ll take the photo in front of an approved background, position you correctly facing the camera, ensure your eyes are open with a neutral expression, and print the photo on the appropriate high-quality paper.
Interestingly, passport photo requirements have evolved over time. Prior to 2016, the U.S. State Department allowed people to wear glasses in their passport photos. However, glare and shadows from glasses led to many photo rejections, so the policy was changed to no longer allow eyewear except in very limited medical circumstances.
What to Expect When Getting Passport Photos at USPS
Getting your passport photo taken at USPS is a straightforward process that typically takes 10-15 minutes from start to finish. Here‘s a step-by-step breakdown of what you can expect:
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Find and visit a USPS location near you that offers passport photo services. Make an appointment ahead of time if possible.
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Upon arrival, inform the postal employee that you need to get passport photos taken. They‘ll guide you to the photo area, which will have a plain white or off-white backdrop set up.
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The employee will give you instructions on how to stand and pose for the photo. You‘ll need to directly face the camera with a neutral facial expression and both eyes open. Remove hats, glasses, and any other accessories.
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The employee will take your photo, ensuring it meets all the necessary requirements such as size, head position, and facial expression. They may take multiple photos to ensure at least one is compliant.
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After taking the photo, the employee will print two copies of it on passport photo-approved paper. This is typically done on-site within a few minutes.
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Review the printed photos to ensure you‘re satisfied with them. The employee will also double-check that the photos meet all the requirements.
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Pay the $15 passport photo fee. USPS accepts cash, checks, and debit/credit cards.
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In some cases, the USPS employee may attach one of the photos to your passport application for you. Otherwise, you‘ll attach it yourself as part of the application process.
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Continue with your passport application as needed, such as filling out forms, providing supporting documents, and paying the necessary fees.
By relying on the expertise of USPS employees for your passport photo, you can have greater confidence that it will meet all the requirements and be accepted with your passport application.
Can You Get Baby Passport Photos at USPS?
Yes, USPS does offer passport photo services for babies and young children. All children, regardless of age, must have their own passport and passport photo to travel internationally. The photo requirements for babies and children are the same as for adults, with a few additional considerations:
- No other people can be in the photo frame, including the parent‘s hands or arms holding the baby
- The baby must be awake and looking at the camera with their eyes open
- The baby‘s face must be clearly visible with no pacifier, bottle, or toy obscuring their features
- No hats, headbands, bows, or other accessories unless worn daily for religious purposes
- For newborns and infants, it‘s often easiest to lay them down on a white sheet or blanket and take the photo from above
Postal employees have experience working with babies and young children to get a compliant passport photo. They‘ll work patiently to capture the baby‘s attention, ensure their eyes are open, and get a clear photo without any obstructions. Some tips they may offer include:
- Bringing small toys or rattles to hold above the camera to get the baby to look in that direction
- Making silly faces or sounds to elicit a neutral, eyes-open expression from the baby
- Feeding and changing the baby right before the appointment so they‘re content during the photo session
- Dressing the baby in a plain, light-colored outfit free of logos, text, or busy patterns
It‘s important to note that while adult passports are valid for 10 years, passports for children under 16 are only valid for 5 years due to how quickly their appearance changes in those early years.
Common Reasons Passport Photos Get Rejected (and How USPS Helps Avoid Them)
Passport photos are one of the most common reasons passport applications get rejected or delayed. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of State, more than 200,000 passport applications are delayed each year due to issues with the passport photo.
Some of the most frequent reasons passport photos are rejected include:
- Photo is blurry, grainy, or low-quality
- Photo doesn‘t meet the size or head-positioning requirements
- Applicant is wearing glasses, a hat, headphones, or prohibited accessories
- Background is not white or off-white, or there are visible shadows
- Applicant‘s eyes are closed or not looking directly at the camera
- Applicant has an unnatural facial expression (smiling, frowning, etc.)
- Photo was taken more than 6 months ago and no longer reflects the applicant‘s current appearance
When you get your passport photo taken at USPS, the trained postal employees help mitigate these common rejection reasons by:
- Using high-quality photo equipment and printing the photo on the appropriate passport photo paper to ensure it meets the size and quality requirements
- Positioning you in front of the correct plain background at the right distance from the camera
- Guiding you to look straight ahead at the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open
- Having you remove any non-permitted accessories like glasses, hats, and headphones
- Ensuring the lighting is balanced to avoid shadows or glare
- Checking the printed photo to confirm it meets all the official requirements before you leave
By leveraging the expertise of USPS employees who are well-versed in passport photo guidelines, you can greatly reduce the risk of photo-related delays or rejections when applying for your passport.
USPS Passport Photo Tips for a Smooth Experience
To recap, here are some key tips to ensure a smooth and successful experience when getting passport photos at USPS:
- Find a USPS location that offers passport photo services and make an appointment if possible to avoid wait times
- Print and fill out your passport application ahead of time so it‘s ready when you arrive
- Dress appropriately in everyday attire with no hats, glasses, uniforms, headphones, or unsuitable accessories
- Arrive a few minutes early in case there is paperwork or a line
- Follow the postal employee‘s instructions for posing, expression, and positioning to ensure a compliant photo
- Review the printed photo for any issues before leaving the Post Office
- Have payment ready for the $15 photo fee (cash, check, or debit/credit card)
- Attach the photo to your passport application if not done by the postal employee
By choosing to get your passport photo taken at USPS, you can enjoy a streamlined passport application process with a significantly lower risk of photo-related rejections or delays. While the $15 price point may be slightly higher than some alternative options, the expertise, convenience, and peace of mind USPS passport photo services provide make it a top choice for many savvy travelers.
