How to Get a Cheap Passport Photo in 2026

February 15, 2026

If you've recently priced passport photos at your local pharmacy, you already know the sting: $16.99 at CVS, $16.99 at Walgreens, and similar markups elsewhere. But here's what they don't want you to know — you can get the exact same compliant photo printed on a 4×6 sheet at Walmart for just $0.16. That's a 99% savings. This guide shows you exactly how.

What Retailers Charge for Passport Photos

Before we look at the cheap alternative, let's see what you're up against at major retailers in 2026:

The 4×6 Print Trick: Passport Photos for $0.16

Here's the secret that passport photo services don't advertise: a US passport photo is 2×2 inches. A standard 4×6 print can fit six passport photos on a single sheet. Walmart, CVS, and most drugstores will print a 4×6 photo for $0.16 to $0.44.

The trick is simple: use a free tool like ID Neat to create your compliant passport photo, then export it as a print-ready 4×6 layout with multiple photos arranged on the sheet. Upload that 4×6 image to any photo printing service, and you've got six passport photos for the price of one standard print.

Step-by-Step: Get Your Passport Photo for Pennies

Follow these steps to get your passport photo for a fraction of the retail price:

• Open ID Neat and select your country and document type (e.g., US Passport).
• Upload a photo or take one with your phone camera against a plain white wall.
• Let the AI automatically detect your face, remove the background, and check compliance.
• Fine-tune the crop if needed, then export as a 4×6 print layout.
• Upload the 4×6 image to Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens photo printing. Pick it up for $0.16–$0.44.

Tips for the Best Results

To make sure your DIY passport photo is accepted:

• Use natural, even lighting — face a window during the day for the most flattering, shadow-free light.
• Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall. A bedsheet taped to the wall works in a pinch.
• Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed. No smiling, no squinting.
• Remove glasses, hats, and headphones. Only religious head coverings are permitted.

Stop Overpaying for Passport Photos

There's no reason to pay $17 for two small prints when you can create a compliant photo at home and print six copies for under $0.50. ID Neat handles the compliance checking, background removal, and print layout automatically — all for free, with no account required and no photos stored on any server.