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USPS vs Costco Passport Photos: 2025 Comparison

USPS and Costco both have been known for offering passport photos, but their services are now very different. USPS still takes photos at select post offices, while Costco no longer offers in-store photo taking and now focuses on printing. Here’s how they compare in 2025.

USPS Passport Photo

  • πŸ’° Price: $15.00 for two printed photos
  • πŸ“ Only at select post offices with passport services
  • ⏱️ Usually requires an appointment
  • ❌ Digital file not included
  • ⚠️ Limited hours and availability

Costco Passport Photo (Printing Only)

  • πŸ’° Price: ~$0.20 for a 4Γ—6 print (contains multiple passport photos)
  • πŸ“ Online upload & print service for Costco members
  • ⏱️ No in-store photo taking since 2021
  • βœ… You provide a compliant photo for printing
  • βœ… Very low printing cost compared to taking photos at USPS

Side-by-Side Comparison

FeatureUSPSCostco
Price$15.00~$0.20 (4Γ—6 print)
Takes Photo On-Siteβœ…βŒ
Digital File IncludedβŒβœ… (if you have it)
Membership RequiredβŒβœ…
Appointment Neededβœ…βŒ

Key Takeaways

USPS is still an option if you want to take your photo in person during a passport appointment. Costco no longer takes photos but offers ultra-cheap printing for members, making it an ideal choice if you already have a compliant photo file.

Best Value Option

Take your passport photo at home, check compliance online, and print it as a 4Γ—6 at Costco for ~$0.20 instead of paying $15.00 at USPS. This gives you full control, unlimited retakes, and huge savings.

  • Take your photo against a plain white wall with good lighting
  • Use an online passport photo generator to crop, check, and prepare a printable 4Γ—6 layout
  • Upload and print at Costco for a fraction of the cost

Tip: Keep your digital layout so you can reprint anytime without retaking the photo.

Get a Compliant Photo Now

Upload your image, preview it for free, and download a perfect 4Γ—6 layout ready for Costco printingβ€”cheaper and faster than USPS.

Print at USPS

Learn how to print your own passport photo at USPS for under $0.50. Read guide β†’

Print at Costco

Learn how to print your own passport photo at Costco for under $0.50. Read guide β†’