USPS passport photos: the $15 fee explained
Short answer. USPS lists a $15.00 Post Office photo fee “(if needed)”. It is separate from the $35.00 Post Office acceptance fee, which is for handling a passport application in person. USPS says most of its passport locations can also take digital photos for online renewals, for a fee; the page does not list that amount separately.
Source: usps.com, checked September 12, 2026. State Department application fees are paid separately.
USPS fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Post Office photo fee | $15.00 (if needed) | Passport photo taken at the Post Office |
| Digital photo for online renewal | “For a fee” — amount not listed | Digital photo |
| Post Office acceptance fee | $35.00 | Accepting an in-person application — not a photo fee |
USPS offers appointments through its online scheduler, a lobby kiosk or the counter, with limited walk-in hours at select locations.
Do you need the Post Office to take the photo?
No. The photo fee applies only “if needed”. The State Department lists “a friend or family member” among the people who can take your passport photo. The photo must still meet every requirement:
- 1 color photo, last 6 months · 2 × 2 inches · head 1 to 1 3/8 inches
- White or off-white background, no shadows
- Printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper — no photocopies or scans
- Online renewal: upload a digital photo
Taking the photo yourself
PhotoSpec frames the shot on your phone and checks it before saving. It is processed on the phone and not uploaded. $3.99 per saved photo on Google Play; retakes are free. No ads, no subscription, no separate Pro version.
You get a digital file. If you are applying on paper, you print it — at home or at a print shop — on photo-quality paper. The free Print Sheet lays it out on 4×6, Letter or A4 at the published size.
Android · iPhone version in App Store review
Compare other options
Passport photo cost by store · CVS · Walgreens · Walmart
Frequently asked questions
How much is a passport photo at the Post Office?
USPS lists $15.00 (checked September 12, 2026).
Is the $35 fee for the photo?
No. USPS lists $35.00 as the Post Office acceptance fee, separate from the $15.00 photo fee.
Can the Post Office take a digital photo for online renewal?
USPS says most locations can, for a fee. The amount is not listed on its passport page.
Sources
Fees come from the USPS website and photo rules from the U.S. Department of State. Fees can change. Our sourcing policy is described in sources and verification.
- USPS — Passports: usps.com — Passports
- U.S. Department of State — Passport Photos: travel.state.gov — Passport Photos
Last checked 12 September 2026. Rules change — check the authority before you submit.