Retailer alternative
Passport Photo at Walmart
Walmart can be a printing option, but a printed passport photo is only useful if the image already meets the official size, background, lighting, pose, and quality rules.
Check local photo printing options.Bring a prepared 4x6 sheet.Measure the final photo before submitting.
Photo rules
What the photo needs
| Photo size | 2 x 2 inches for printed U.S. passport photos |
|---|---|
| Head position | Centered face with head sized 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to top of head |
| Background | Plain white or off-white background with no shadows, texture, lines, or objects |
| Lighting | Even light with no harsh shadows, washout, blur, grain, or pixelation |
| Expression | Face the camera directly with eyes visible and mouth closed |
| Digital changes | Original photo only, with no filters, retouching, background replacement, or AI changes |
Reviewed against U.S. State Department passport photo guidance. Last reviewed July 16, 2026.
Steps
How to get it done
- Ask your local Walmart photo counter whether it offers 4x6 photo-quality prints and how to submit the file.
- Prepare a 4x6 sheet with two correctly sized 2x2 photos from a recent, unedited image.
- Order the sheet as a standard photo print without automatic cropping or enlargement.
- Measure one printed photo and check the head size, shadows, sharpness, and paper before you leave.
Before you submit
Common mistakes
- Ordering an ordinary document print on office paper.
- Letting the print kiosk fill the page by cropping or enlarging the prepared layout.
- Assuming a store print service also checks passport photo rules.
- Leaving without measuring the physical 2x2 photo.
Compare options
Store photo vs online passport photo
| Option | What you get | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Retail counter | A printed 2x2 photo from an in-store camera setup. | Requires a trip, store availability, and another visit if the photo is rejected. |
| Do-it-yourself print | A photo sheet you print at home, at CVS, or at another photo kiosk. | Paper quality, sizing, shadows, and cropping still have to be right. |
| PassportSnapper | $8 validated output for your selected application type. | You still need to submit online or print on photo-quality paper for paper applications. |
Common questions
FAQ
Can I print a passport photo at Walmart?
You may be able to print a properly prepared photo sheet through local photo services, but use photo-quality paper and correct sizing.
What should I check before printing?
Check head size, centering, white background, shadows, sharpness, expression, and glasses.
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