Where can I get a passport photo in Washington, DC?
CVS and Walgreens across the District offer same-day photos, along with FedEx Office, The UPS Store, AAA Mid-Atlantic, and many USPS facilities. You can also make one online with FastPassPhoto.
Washington, DC
Passport Photos in Washington, DC
In the city where passports are actually issued, getting the photo can still eat an afternoon. Here is where to get passport photos across DC and the close-in suburbs — pharmacies, shipping stores, post offices, and the Washington Passport Agency — plus how to make a compliant 2x2 photo online in minutes.
- CVS and Walgreens throughout the District — $15-$17
- Embassy-heavy city: the same 2x2 works for many visa applications too
- FedEx Office, The UPS Store, AAA Mid-Atlantic, and USPS facilities
- Or make it online in ~5 minutes — no Metro ride, no downtown parking
Quick Comparison
| Factor | In-Person in DC | FastPassPhoto Online |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 20-45 min with Metro or parking | About 5 minutes from home |
| What you get | Usually 2 prints | Digital file + 6-photo print sheet |
| For online renewal | Rarely a digital file | Upload-ready JPEG included |
| Hours | Store hours | 24/7 |
Where to get passport photos in Washington, DC
The District has passport-photo counters in every quadrant, plus dense coverage in Arlington, Alexandria, and the Maryland suburbs. Pharmacies dominate, with shipping stores close behind.
- CVS and Walgreens — same-day photos at most DC locations, about $15-$17
- Walmart photo centers — cheapest (~$8), mostly in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs
- FedEx Office and The UPS Store — handy when mailing an application
- AAA Mid-Atlantic — discounted photos for members
- USPS Passport Acceptance Facilities — many DC-area post offices take photos and accept applications
- Some DC Public Library branches host passport acceptance events
The DC reality: security lines and federal appointments
Washington is home to the Washington Passport Agency for urgent travel and the Special Issuance Agency for diplomatic and official passports — both by appointment, and both require you to arrive with a compliant photo already in hand.
DC is also one of the most international cities in the country. With embassies on nearly every block of Massachusetts Avenue, many residents need photos for visa applications as well — and most visas use the same 2x2 format as the US passport.
The faster option: make your passport photo online
Skip the Metro ride and create a compliant DC passport photo from your phone with FastPassPhoto. Upload any recent photo and the AI sets the white background, 2x2 crop, and head position to US spec in about five minutes.
You get an upload-ready digital file for online renewal plus a print-ready 4x6 sheet, backed by a money-back compliance guarantee.
Need a physical print? Use any DC pharmacy
If you need a printed photo, download the included 4x6 sheet and send it to any DC CVS, Walgreens, or FedEx Office for pickup, usually within the hour and under a dollar.
For online renewal through MyTravelGov, the digital file is all you need.
How much do passport photos cost in Washington, DC?
In-person DC prices run $15-$17 at pharmacies and shipping stores for two prints, with suburban Walmarts around $8. AAA members can pay less.
An online photo is competitive and includes a reusable digital file plus six prints — useful when one trip abroad needs both a passport renewal and a visa photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do passport photos cost in DC?
Usually $15-$17 for two prints at pharmacies and shipping stores; suburban Walmarts are around $8. Online services include a digital file plus six prints.
Is there a passport office in Washington, DC?
Yes. The Washington Passport Agency handles urgent travel by appointment, and the Special Issuance Agency handles diplomatic and official passports. Both require you to bring your own compliant photo.
Can I use the same photo for a visa application at a DC embassy?
Often yes. Many countries accept the same 2x2 white-background format the US uses. FastPassPhoto also offers dedicated formats for countries with different sizes.
Can I get a passport photo online instead of going somewhere in DC?
Yes. FastPassPhoto creates a compliant 2x2 photo from any uploaded image in about five minutes — a digital file for uploads plus a print sheet for any DC pharmacy.