When you’re gearing up for international travel, securing a passport photo is a crucial step. For many, the question arises: “Where can I get passport photos taken near me?” UPS often comes up as a convenient option. With thousands of locations nationwide, UPS Stores offer a range of services, including passport photos. But How Much Does Ups Charge For Passport Photos? Let’s delve into the details of UPS passport photo services, their pricing, and compare them to other alternatives.
UPS Passport Photo Service: What to Expect
UPS Stores are known for their accessibility and convenience, making them a popular choice for various services, including photo services. While UPS doesn’t process passport applications, they do provide passport photo services that adhere to the U.S. Department of State guidelines. You can walk into most UPS Store locations and get your passport photos taken professionally. The service generally includes taking your photo and providing you with two printed 2×2 inch passport photos, the standard requirement for U.S. passports.
Breaking Down the Cost: UPS Passport Photo Price
So, let’s get straight to the point: how much does UPS charge for passport photos? As of recent updates, the price for passport photos at UPS is typically $11.99 for two photos. This positions them as a competitively priced option in the market, especially when considering brick-and-mortar locations.
To put this into perspective, let’s compare the cost of passport photos at UPS with some of its main competitors:
- USPS Passport Photo Price: Approximately $15
- Walgreens Passport Photo Price: Around $14.99
- FedEx Passport Photo Price: Generally around $14.95
Historically, Costco offered a significantly cheaper option at about $9.98 for two photos, but they have closed their physical photo centers in February 2021, removing this budget-friendly offline choice. This makes UPS one of the more affordable physical locations currently available for passport photos.
Online Passport Photo Services: A Cheaper, Faster Alternative
While UPS offers a convenient offline service, the digital age has brought forth online passport photo tools that can be even more cost-effective and time-saving. These online services allow you to take your photo at home using your smartphone or camera and then have it processed to meet passport photo requirements.
One such service is Visafoto.com. For a fee, Visafoto allows you to upload any full-face photo, and their system automatically adjusts it to passport photo specifications.
Here are some key advantages of using an online passport photo service like Visafoto:
- Convenience: No need to travel to a store; take photos at home, 24/7.
- Cost-Effective: Often cheaper than in-store services. Visafoto, for example, charges €7 (approximately $7.50 USD as of late 2023).
- Unlimited Retries: Take as many photos as you need until you are satisfied.
- Digital and Printable Photos: Receive both a digital file for online applications and a printable template.
With Visafoto, after paying their fee, you receive:
- A digital passport photo suitable for online passport applications.
- A template designed for printing two or more passport photos on a standard 4×6″ photo paper. You can then print these at a local photo lab like Walgreens for as little as $0.35, significantly reducing the overall cost.
UPS vs. Online Passport Photos: A Quick Comparison
To summarize the options, here’s a side-by-side comparison between getting your passport photos at UPS and using an online service like Visafoto:
| Feature | Visafoto.com | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Need to go out? | No | Yes |
| Appointment needed? | No | Potentially (recommended by some stores) |
| Who takes the photo? | You (using your device) | UPS personnel |
| Digital photo included? | Yes | No |
| Printout option? | Printable template for cheap printing | Yes (two printed photos) |
| Cost | Approximately €7 ( ~$7.50 USD) | $11.99 |
| Multiple ID types? | Yes (passports, visas for many countries) | Primarily US passport photos |
| Money-back guarantee? | Yes | No |
| 24/7 service? | Yes | No (store hours apply) |
Conclusion: Is UPS the Best Choice for Passport Photos?
UPS provides a readily available and reasonably priced service for passport photos. Knowing how much does UPS charge for passport photos helps you budget and plan. For those needing physical passport photos immediately and preferring an in-person experience, UPS is a solid choice. However, for those looking to save money, time, and gain more flexibility, online passport photo services like Visafoto present a compelling alternative. They offer a cheaper, more convenient solution with the added benefit of digital copies and printable templates, making them increasingly popular in today’s digital world.
