Toddler Passport Photos - where to go during COVID
Hi there, we are about to apply for a US passport for our 16 month old.
Any tips on reliable, best places to get Toddler passport photos taken in Oakland/ Alameda during COVID?
We have an appointment to submit our application at the Office of the City Clerk, Oakland in a week... I'd also welcome any tips on that front!
Thank you everyone!
Oct 1, 2020
Parent Replies
Hi,
We took passport pictures for our 4y old at Walgreens. We took off his mask and they took a picture. However, not all Walgreens take the pics, some have you take a picture home and order online. We took our pic at Walgreens in Berkeley Downtown.
There are phone apps that allow you to take your own (and help guide you to the right dimensions, etc). Then can print cheaply at Walgreens, CVS, etc.
Our daughter got hers taken at Walgreens in Alameda, just walked in - about 15 minutes - easy! Good luck!
I've gotten passport photos taken for my toddler at a UPS Store (specifically the one on Piedmont Avenue, but they all do them - I think). I know they're open during the pandemic! And you don't need an appointment. :)
Former long-time expat here. We had the best luck with our 2 boys taking the photos ourselves (against a white background) and uploading the image to the photo tool available online through the state department (https://identix.state.gov/qotw/Upload.aspx?offLwnJFx%2FOumH2xn6Soo8lNVlRk16hizA1xIEl3dutddsxd%2BGOwpxTnbdWO6xcv or google “passport photo tool”), and then just sending the photo to print somewhere online or bringing it to a one-hour photo place.
FedEx is quick and easy.
I did my baby's passport photo in CVS at the time she was like 3 months so it was impossible to fulfill the requirements (open eyes mouth closed etc.) So I took the picture on a white blanket and took it there and downloaded from the cellphone and run the passport photo check there
Walgreens and costco also have passport photo
Might be too late for the original poster, but for everyone else - Do it yourself! There are free apps and websites that help you size it properly and save it. Then just have Walgreens, Target or CVS print it out - cheap! (You can send it to them digitally and just pick up the print out). There will be a few copies of the image on each 4x6 photo, so just be prepared to cut it carefully (and/or get multiple copies).
Also look at the photo tips at US Passport website and review the "YES" and "NO" examples so you know what to avoid.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.h…
Also note that the passport might take up to three months to arrive (longer if they end up having to close the passport office again for COVID reasons).
I took the photo myself (white background, can see both ears, took about 50 photos with my phone quickly and picked one that was good, you can find tips on yourtube and such), then used an online offering to make the photo the perfect size, and got it printed. I then just moved through the passport process as normal and it went great!