Post Office Passport Photos – All You Need to Know

When applying or renewing your passport, you need to get a photo. Post office passport photos can be the deciding factor for acceptance or rejection of your application.

For this reason, you should ensure your photos meet the set requirements. Remember, your passport will stay with you for the next 10 years. That explains why the quality of the photos must be sustainable.

While there are many places that offer passport photo services, it’s recommendable to consider getting one from the post offices. In particular, you need to consider ones that offer passport application and renewal services for different reasons. Let’s explain why.

First, the post office passport photo price is affordable. Second, they will not compromise on the passport photos quality. Hence, it is unlikely for your application to suffer rejection.

But how do you go about getting your passport photos taken in a post office? This article will provide all the information you need to accomplish this task.

Post Office Passport Photos appointment

Like you, many people are seeking a one-stop location when applying for a passport. They want a place they can fill their passport form and get a photo. Fortunately, most USPS passport acceptance facilities offer passport photo services.

However, you need to schedule an appointment for your USPS passport photos. See, the facilities witness long queues as people want to complete their passport application in one location. To schedule an appointment, you need to call your local USPS passport post office.

Also, you can opt for online scheduling using RCAS (Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler) tool. This USPS passport appointment tool that allows you to select your preferred time and location for the task. Notably, RCAS allows you to schedule an appointment for passport photos, new passport, or both as well as for renewal services.

How to Schedule a USPS passport photos appointment online

❖ Go to the USPS website and search for “Passports” on the search bar. Click on it. On the results, select Passport Application & Passport Renewal and click it. On the new page, head on to the blue icon with the words “schedule an appointment” and click it.

Alternatively, you can use Google. How? Type “USPS passport: schedule an appointment” and click the right results.

❖ Choose a service: On the appointment scheduling page, chose the services you’re looking for. You can choose new passport only, new passport with photos, USPS passport renewal, or photos only option. Also, you have to indicate the number of adults and minors to attend the appointment.

❖ Finding the location and date: As you’re aware, only the selected USPS passport post offices offer photo services. So, it is recommendable to find a location with the service near your area.

To do this, you need to key in the zip code or the city and state your residence. Also, indicate the radius of the location plus the date for your appointment. Remember, you can book an appointment up to one month in advance.

❖ Choose the appointment time: When you choose a date and location for your USPS passport appointment, the scheduler will display available slots. You need to go through the list and select the appropriate time. Note, each appointment has a duration of 15 minutes per person. Also, arrive at the location 10 minutes before your appointment.

❖ Contact information and terms: Next, provide your contact information. Here, you’ll provide your two names (first and last), phone number, and email. Also, you can decide whether you‘ll need updates via text or not. Next, accept the terms and conditions.

❖ Review your appointment and submit it. Finally, wait for the D-day and attend your post office passport photo appointment.

Post Office Passport Photos requirements

Failing to meet the post office passport photo requirements can lead to rejection of your application. If not so, the US Department of States will hold your passport as they cannot confirm your identity through the passport photos submitted.

Sometimes, it can be hard to learn about the holding of your passport unless you use your passport tracking number. This number helps you to assess the progress of the process after your passport application. For this reason, you need to know the rules you should adhere to avoid such circumstances.

Here are the main requirements:

How much will you pay for postal passport photos?

Normally, the post office passport photo price is $15. The good thing is that many USPS passport application location offers photo services. Also, you need to pay for them separately from the acceptance and application fees.

However, you can obtain this service for a lower price from local pharmacies, retail stores, and photo studios. Note, though the post office passport photo cost is relatively high, it is worth for two reasons.

One, you have zero chances of your application rejection due to low-quality images. Two, they will advise you on the requirements of your passport photos. Hence, it is recommendable to pay the price than deal with delays or holding of your new passport for identity reasons.

Final words

In a word, getting post office passport photos is not a complex process. All you need is to find a local USPS passport post office. Next, you have to book an appointment.

Importantly, it is advisable to schedule your post office passport photo and application appointment the same time or day. This way, you will avoid spending another day on the passport application or renewal processes.

Well, that’s all you need to know about getting a passport photo taken in the post office. We hope that the information provided was helpful. If you have more question on this topic, please reach out to us for assistance.