CVS Passport Photos 2025: Cost, Requirements & Pro Tips (Complete FAQ)

🔍 Quick Answers

• ➤ Price: **15.99∗∗(upfrom15.99∗∗(upfrom14.99 in 2024)

• ➤ Time: 5-15 mins (walk-ins welcome)

• ➤ Rejection Rate: <5% if rules are followed

• ➤ Best Alternative: Staples ($12.99) for budget seekers

1. 2025 Price Updates: How Much Do CVS Passport Photos Cost?

✅ $15.99 for 2 identical photos (Price increased Jan 2025)

• What’s Included:

  • 2 printed copies (standard for U.S. passports)

  • Free retake if rejected for quality issues

• Extra Fees:

  • Digital copy: +$5 (for online visa applications)

  • Additional sheets: $3 per 2-photo set

💡 Money-Saving Tip:

"Ask about AAA/CVS ExtraCare discounts – some locations knock off $2!"

2. Do I Need an Appointment in 2025?

✅ No appointment needed at 95% of CVS locations

• Best Times to Visit:

  • Weekdays 10AM-2PM (avoid lunch rushes)

  • Sundays after 1PM (least busy)

• How to Check Availability:

  1. Call your local CVS: "Do you do passport photos today?"

  2. Use CVS’s online portal (new 2025 feature)

⚠️ Exception: Urban stores may require appointments during peak travel seasons (June-August).

3. 2025 Passport Photo Requirements (Avoid Rejection!)

The U.S. State Department tightened rules in March 2025:

4. How Long Does It Take? (2025 Speed Test)

We timed 3 locations:

Pro Tip:

"Pay at the photo counter (not registers) to skip the queue!"

5. CVS vs Competitors: Where to Get the Best Passport Photo in 2025?

📊 Price Comparison

6. What If My Photo Gets Rejected? (2025 Policies)

• CVS Guarantee: Free retake within 7 days if their error

• State Dept. Rejection: No refund, but you can:

  1. Complain to CVS corporate for a voucher

  2. Dispute with credit card company

Real 2025 Rejection Reasons:

• "Eyes not perfectly open" (new AI detection)

• "Ear shadows visible" (stricter lighting checks)

7. Special Cases: Babies, Visas & Global Entry

👶 Infant Photos:

• Lay baby on white muslin cloth (provided at CVS)

• No toys/pacifiers in frame

🌐 Visa/Global Entry:

• Same photo works if it meets dimensions:

  • China Visa: 33mm x 48mm

  • India Visa: 2x2 inches

8. Pro Tips You Won’t Find Elsewhere

1. "Ask for the digital file" – Some stores email it for $5 (great for multiple visas)

2. "Wear navy blue" – Contrasts best with white backgrounds

3. "Check your teeth" – New AI flags food stains as "discoloration"

🗨️ "Still Stuck?" Ask Below!
We answer every question within 24 hours. Popular 2025 queries:

• "Can I reuse an old passport photo?"

• "Why did CVS raise prices?"