I noticed that my local Costco charges only 4.95 for passport photos.....seems pretty cheap.

Don't you love Costco? I find so many great deals there. And knowing their policy of customer service and good value, it doesn't surprise me. Just make sure it's actually passport quality, because otherwise it will be rejected. If Costco calls it 'passport', then I'll bet it is acceptable. Good find!

I posed the kids against the kitchen with the digital. Printed them at Costco for 17¢ each.

Maureen,

Costco hase a big sign..." passport photos 4.95"

We took our own pix and printed them out on the computer for about 6 cts ea.

I now have 20 sheets of glossy photo paper that I will probably never use again.

I had also printed a 'passport photo' at home, on certified glossy photo paper, but She said the paper wouldn't withstand the temperature they subject the photo to. Anyway, good thing there was a $10 passport photo place around the corner, or we would have missed our opportunity to get our daughter's passport renewed while she was in town for the day.

Sorry-- I edited out an entire phrase. I meant to say that when we went to the office for the renewal application, she (the Passport Agen) rejected the photo I'd printed out, because of the paper it was on. Also, they are so specific about the head size, background, smile/no smile, etc., I'd suggest people just spend the few bucks to get an actual passport photo taken or risk wasting your time.

As the owner of a photography studio I’ve been making passport photos for years (2 for $15 along with a do’s ‘n’ don’ts fact sheet.) Many places sell them much cheaper (we’re a portrait studio and do passports only when specifically asked to do so..) but one does want to be a bit careful.

What works for one person may not work for another, some of it depends on the agent handling your passport app/renewal. A friend of mine did her own with a digital camera and printed it out on her pc, no problem. When she did it for a neighbor the photos were rejected because of the gauge and weight of the paper.

The kicker is that, though her passport is good for 10 years, after two years the photo had decayed so bad that she’s had to replace the document with a surprising amount of hassle and some additional cost. In other words, there is a reason for the requirements concerning photos and some nameless INS agent somewhere dropped the ball and didn’t require her to go back and have suitable photos made.

The photo must be able to stand considerable heat, be water resistant and, obviously, have a shelf life of at least 10 years. Fuji™ and Polaroid™ both make ID films specifically to meet international passport standards. (Fuji is VASTLY SUPERIOR in both clarity and color rendition.)

It is also good to remember that what comes out of your printer at home is NOT a photograph, it is ink on paper. Just how long the ink and/or paper are viable is anyone’s guess. Face it; paying $10-$20 for the real deal is hardly outrageous. If you can afford to travel you should be able to afford that much for the peace of mind of knowing that you’re not going to have problems with one of the most important documents you’ll ever own a year or two down the road.

The State Department has guidelines for passport photos, which you can download from their website:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/gui...nload_884.html

Where I live, passport photos can be taken in the passport office for $12, and you're done and assured that the photo will be acceptable without wasting time and gasoline driving around in search of a bargain.

Diablo..You hit the nail on the head! The passport is good for 10 years.Thats how I rationalized the $60 for the expedite service.....$6 a year, $.50 a month! Save money somewheres else...

>Thats how I rationalized the $60 for the expedite service.....$6 a year, $.50 a month! <

OTOH, if you renew your passport 6 mos before it expires, you can save $60.

We were by no means trying to save money when we did it at home with the digital camera, BUT, being 10 years older than the last time we took the pictures, it took us about 100 takes to get 2 decent pictures...and I'm still not that crazy about it....but I'm sure I'll love it in 10 years when I have to do it again...actually, I hope that it does fade, thank you DiAblo.

Ira, I'm curious how much those 20 sheets of glossy paper cost you to make your "6 cents" pictures?

And Dick I know passport photos are often pretty bad, but if mine turned out half as bad as the picture on my Costco card, I don't think they'd ever let me back in the country! Who is that man, anyway?

Our local Family Foto does passport pictures for $8 and then gives you an $8 gift certificate for printng or developing. Free is good.

patrick,

I joined costco/Price Club 15 yrs ago.....and my card has never had my pic on it.

On the rare occasion that a cashier tells me that I should have my pic on the card...I tell them next time.

But, alas, there was no way out of putting a current pic on my passport when I renewed it earlier this year.

AAA does it for free for members.

Hi Patrick
>I'm curious how much those 20 sheets of glossy paper cost you to make your "6 cents" pictures?<

20 ea 8.5 x 11 sheets for $10 at WalMart.

Gretchen,
AAA does it for free?...not my AAA..they charge $8

Ira...Quite true! However, I usually do not have the luxury of too much advance notice that I must travel.So I cant be without my passport for too long.

I don't think AAA would do a service like that for free. My branch charges $8, also, for members. They will do it for nonmembers for $12.