If you are planning a trip to another country, you will need to have a passport.
One of the things you need to obtain a passport is a photo that meets passport guidelines.
This photo will be added to your passport and must be submitted with your passport application before it can be approved.
These photos have certain requirements, and it’s best to have the photo taken by a service that has experience taking passport photos and is able to meet the photo requirements.
Does Walgreens Do Passport Photos?
Yes, Walgreens does take and print passport photos.
The cost of this service is $15.99, and it includes two passport photos.
Not all Walgreens stores offer passport photo services, and sometimes the machines that are used for the biometrics required for these photos can fail and be out of order.
If you need your passport photos quickly, it’s best to call the Walgreens near you to ensure they can provide passport photos.
A staff member can help you choose the right time to have your passport photo taken and answer any questions you may have about the photography process and other requirements for the photo.
You can also take your own passport photos and have them printed off in the appropriate size at your nearest Walgreens store.
Walgreens does not require an appointment for passport photos.
You can simply walk into the store, find your way to the photo counter, and request the photo.
Since passport photos can take a while to complete, the photo counter staff member may ask that you wait until they help any other customers who are in line or while they get things ready to take the photo.
You should also call ahead to make sure the Walgreens location of your choice provides passport photos.
While most do, not all locations have this service available.
Keep in mind you may only be able to get a passport photo when the photo center is open.
Some Walgreens stores also only have a certain person who takes the photos and will only provide the services if that person is available.
Walgreens claims to be able to present customers with two passport photos within an hour or less.
You can have your photos taken and then go back to work or run errands while you wait for the photos to be processed.
The photography process only takes a few minutes as long as you are dressed correctly and follow the directions.
The photographer may take several photos so they have a variety to choose from and will get the proper poses.
When the photos are ready, you can pick them up at the photo counter just as you would pick up other photos.
How Much Does It Cost For A Passport Photo At Walgreens?
The cost of Walgreens photo service is $15.99, which includes the photography service and two printed passport photos.
This cost is per person, and if you have multiple people in your family who need passport photos, each one will have to pay the same cost.
You may be able to find coupons that can be used to give you a discounted price on the photos.
Many of the most common photo coupons that are found online cannot be used on passport photos.
If you choose to take your own photos and have them printed off at Walgreens, you will pay the cost of a regular print.
You can sometimes find coupons and promo codes that can make the prints even more affordable.
What Are The Requirements For A Passport Photo?
The United States government does have special requirements for passport photos.
Anyone who is planning to apply for a passport must submit a passport photo that matches the requirements at the time the passport documents are submitted.
The requirements can be found on the U.S. Department of State website and are as follows.
- The photo must be in color.
- The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
- The photo must be taken by another person. Selfies are not accepted.
- No glasses or hats can be worn in the photo.
- The background must be plain white.
- The photo must be clear and have appropriate lighting.
If your photo fails to meet these requirements, the application may not be accepted or the passport could be denied or take longer to process.
What Can You Wear For A Passport Photo?
Passport photos are strict because the passport allows you to enter different countries and travel around the world.
The photo needs to fit certain requirements, so it’s easy to see if the passport is legitimate and easy for those working at the border to scan and check passports quickly.
Millions of people move through borders all around the world every year, and that means passports have to be scanned and checked quickly.
A strict photo requirement means that everyone looks similar in their passport photo, and any differences in the photos or their actual appearance are easier to notice.
You can wear just about anything for a passport photo as long as it is appropriate and stands out against the white background.
Passports are valid for ten years for adults and five years for children under the age of 16.
When you are preparing for your photos, think about wearing something that will allow you to look your best.
Here are some suggestions for things that can be worn during passport photos.
What To Wear
Passport photos only show the top portion of the body, so there is no need to worry about what types of pants you wear.
In fact, you can wear any type of bottoms you choose, as long as they are comfortable.
The top is the most noticeable clothing item in the photo and one that may require the most thought.
Again, you can wear almost any top, but it’s best to wear something that is softly printed and in a color that stands out from the plain background.
You do not have to dress up for the photos.
If you wear makeup often, you may also do so for your photo.
Keep in mind that you want to make sure your photo looks like you, so don’t wear anything too outlandish or different from your normal look.
Opt for a natural makeup style that highlights your features but doesn’t change them.
What Not To Wear
There are certain things that you cannot wear for your passport.
These things are listed clearly in the passport requirements section of the website.
Glasses should not be worn, even if they are prescription glasses.
You can wear your glasses to your passport photo appointment, but you will be asked to remove them for the photos.
Even if your photographer forgets to ask you to remove the glasses, be sure to do so yourself, as the photo will not be valid if glasses are worn.
You should also not wear anything on your head.
This includes headbands, scarves, headwraps, and hats.
This is to ensure your face is clearly visible in the photos.
If you wear a head covering for religious reasons, you will need to submit a letter that explains this at the time the passport application is submitted for processing.
Uniforms are also not permitted in passport photos.
Make sure no labels or name tags are showing.
Religious uniforms or clothing that is worn daily are permitted in passport photos.
Does Walgreens Process Passport Applications?
Walgreens does not process passport applications.
They only take and print out the photos.
You will need to purchase your photos from Walgreens and then take them to your passport appointment.
You can get a passport at your local post office or a passport processing center.
You will need to make an appointment to apply for your passport ahead of time and bring all of the other required paperwork with you.
There are several places where you can obtain a passport.
It takes between eight and eleven weeks for a passport to be processed without any type of expedited or emergency services.
If you are able to wait the normal amount of time for your passport, you can simply apply for it by making an appointment at your nearest post office.
You can make the appointment online or over the phone.
If you need the passport expedited, you can also apply at the post office, but you will need to pay an additional fee for the expedited processing.
If you need the passport for urgent travel or in the event of an emergency, you will need to make an appointment at the nearest processing center.
You can find locations for post offices and processing centers on the Department of State website.
You will need many different documents when you apply for your passport.
Having these documents with you at the passport appointment will not only ensure the passport can be processed quickly but also that it is approved.
When you call to make your appointment, a staff member at the post office or passport processing center will tell you which documents are needed.
You can also find this list online.
You will need to obtain a passport application.
You can print this off online or pick it up from the post office or passport processing center.
Some libraries also have these documents available.
This application should be completed but not signed.
You will need to wait and sign it at the post office or processing center where the application is being received.
This information must be completely accurate in order for the application to be processed and approved.
A photo ID will also need to be submitted at the time of the application.
You should bring a copy of the ID with you just in case the processing location cannot make copies.
A copy of your ID will be sent with your application to the processing center.
A driver’s license or any other type of photo ID will work.
If you do not have a photo ID, you can also use a birth certificate, but it must be an original and certified copy.
An appropriate passport photo must also be submitted with the application.
You can obtain your photos from Walgreens or another store that offers passport photo services, or you can have them taken at the post office or processing center.
Everything you submit will be photocopied and sent in with your application and your passport photos.
The post office or processing center will see to it that everything is in order, packaged together, and sent off together.
When you receive your passport in the mail, you will also receive the original copies of all your documents with it.
The cost of a new adult passport is $110, with an additional $35 processing fee.
A new child’s passport is $80 with the $35 fee.
The cost to renew a passport is the same as the original price for both children and adults, as is the price of replacing a lost or stolen passport.
If you need to expedite your passport, there is an additional fee.
If you need the passport processed within nine to 14 days, it will cost $170 plus a $99 service fee.
If you need it between five and nine days, the cost is $170 with a $145 service fee.
A three- to five-day expediting service is $170 with an additional $195.
The three-day processing time is $170 with a $245 service fee.
The two-day processing time is $170 with a $295 fee and the 24-hour processing time costs $170 with a $345 processing fee.
Because the cost of expediting passports is so expensive, it’s best to apply for your passport as soon as you know you will need it.
A regular passport takes between eight and 11 weeks to process but may take up to 14 weeks.
If you need your passport sooner, you can pay an extra fee to have it expedited.
The fee and expediting services can shorten the process from five to seven weeks to as little as 24 hours.
Keep in mind that the price of the passport and the processing fees are both increased if you choose to expedite the passport, and the sooner you need it, the more expensive it will be.
You can find information about passport processing times and prices here.
Can I Take My Own Passport Photo?
While passport photos cannot be “selfies,” you can still take your own passport photos.
If you aren’t able to find a Walgreens or another location nearby that will take the photos for you, or you simply want to save time and money by doing the photo yourself, you can do so as long as the photo meets the passport requirements.
You can also have a friend or family member take the photo for you and then print it off at your favorite photo location.
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