SAN MARCOS, CA · PASSPORT PHOTOS

Get Your Passport Photos in San Marcos, CA

Skip the lines and easily take your passport photo at home using Perfect Passport.

San Marcos offers plenty of convenient walk-in options for your passport picture, including the 8 chain locations and 5 independent studios listed below. If you prefer to skip the trip entirely, Perfect Passport allows you to snap a compliant photo from the comfort of your home. Both choices ensure you get a high-quality image ready for your application.

See walk-in options in San Marcos ↓

Before

Passport-ready2 × 2 in · 300 DPI

RECOMMENDED · WORKS ANYWHERE IN SAN MARCOS

Why Taking Your Passport Photo at Home is the Smart Choice

With Perfect Passport, you can easily capture your photo from anywhere in San Marcos for just $7.95. Our advanced software checks your image to guarantee full State Department compliance before you even submit it. If your photo is ever rejected by the government, we provide a complete money-back guarantee. It is a simple, stress-free way to check this task off your travel to-do list.

Free to check · Pay only if it passes the spec check

HOME VS. WALK-IN

Why most applicants skip the trip.

	Perfect Passport (home)	Walk-in
Typical price	$7.95 digital · $12.95 with prints	$15 – $20 for 2 prints
Time required	~2 minutes	30 – 60 min round trip
Where	Anywhere with a phone	Store hours only
Compliance check	Automatic, instant	Cashier judgement
Retakes	Free, unlimited	Pay again
Money-back if rejected	Yes	Rare

WALK-IN OPTIONS

Where to get passport photos in San Marcos.

If you'd rather not take it yourself, here are the major chains and independent studios in San Marcos that accept walk-ins for U.S. passport photos. Hours and prices change — always call ahead.

National chains

CVS Photo

Chain

1302 W Mission Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

4.8 · 4 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

CVS location at 1302 W Mission Rd. Two 2×2 prints, ready in ~15 minutes

Hours: Mon 7a–11p · Tue 7a–11p · Wed 7a–11p · Thu 7a–11p · Fri 7a–11p · Sat 7a–11p · Sun 7a–10p
Price: $16.99
Phone: (760) 471-7205

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Walgreens Photo

Chain

1700 Old Ranch Rd 12, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

4.7 · 29 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

Walgreens location at 1700 Old Ranch Rd 12. Two 2×2 prints, ~10 minutes at the photo counter

Hours: Mon 7a–11p · Tue 7a–11p · Wed 7a–11p · Thu 7a–11p · Fri 7a–11p · Sat 8a–12a · Sun 7a–11p
Price: $16.99
Phone: (512) 393-3701

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Walgreens Photo

Chain

639 E Hopkins St, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

4.5 · 45 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

Walgreens location at 639 E Hopkins St. Two 2×2 prints, ~10 minutes at the photo counter

Hours: Mon 7a–12a · Tue 7a–12a · Wed 7a–12a · Thu 7a–12a · Fri 7a–12a · Sat 7a–12a · Sun 7a–12a
Price: $16.99
Phone: (512) 396-1335

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The UPS Store

Chain

663 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd, San Marcos, CA 92078, USA

3.4 · 115 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

The UPS Store location at 663 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd. Pricing varies by franchise — call to confirm

Hours: Mon 8:30a–6:30p · Tue 8:30a–6:30p · Wed 8:30a–6:30p · Thu 8:30a–6:30p · Fri 8:30a–6:30p · Sat 9a–5p · Sun Closed
Price: $11.99 – $14.99
Phone: (760) 752-3035

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FedEx Office Print & Ship Center

Chain

1921 W San Marcos Blvd #155, San Marcos, CA 92078, USA

3.4 · 71 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

FedEx Office location at 1921 W San Marcos Blvd #155. Two 2×2 prints, ready in ~10 minutes

Hours: Mon 8a–7p · Tue 8a–7p · Wed 8a–7p · Thu 8a–7p · Fri 8a–7p · Sat 10a–6p · Sun Closed
Price: $14.95
Phone: (760) 599-5588

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FedEx Office Print & Ship Center

Chain

141 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd Ste 128, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

3.2 · 63 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

FedEx Office location at 141 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd Ste 128. Two 2×2 prints, ready in ~10 minutes

Hours: Mon 8a–7p · Tue 8a–7p · Wed 8a–7p · Thu 8a–7p · Fri 8a–7p · Sat 10a–6p · Sun Closed
Price: $14.95
Phone: (760) 736-9237

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The UPS Store

Chain

310 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd #107, San Marcos, CA 92078, USA

2.7 · 104 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

The UPS Store location at 310 S Twin Oaks Valley Rd #107. Pricing varies by franchise — call to confirm

Hours: Mon 8a–6p · Tue 8a–6p · Wed 8a–6p · Thu 8a–6p · Fri 8a–6p · Sat 9a–5p · Sun 10a–3p
Price: $11.99 – $14.99
Phone: (760) 510-8350

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United States Postal Service

Chain

420 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

2.5 · 223 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

USPS location at 420 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd. Photo + application filed in one visit

Hours: Mon 9a–5p · Tue 9a–5p · Wed 9a–5p · Thu 9a–5p · Fri 9a–5p · Sat 10a–4p · Sun Closed
Price: $15.00
Phone: (800) 275-8777

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Independent studios in San Marcos

Photo Video Services

Local studio

1531 W Mission Rd Suite F, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

5.0 · 12 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

Photo Video Services is a media and photography business located in San Marcos that offers professional passport photo services. Walk-in customers can expect efficient service during their operating hours, which run from morning to early afternoon Monday through Saturday. Customers are encouraged to call for pricing before visiting.

Hours: Mon 9a–4p · Tue 10a–3p · Wed 10a–3p · Thu 9a–12p · Fri 9a–12p · Sat 9a–12p · Sun Closed
Price: Varies
Phone: (760) 233-2020

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PostalAnnex

Local studio

979 Woodland Pkwy Ste 101, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

4.9 · 297 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

PostalAnnex is a shipping and business services center in San Marcos, California, that provides convenient passport photo services. Walk-in customers can expect quick, professional photo sessions available Monday through Saturday. Please call the store directly for current pricing information.

Hours: Mon 8:30a–6p · Tue 8:30a–6p · Wed 8:30a–6p · Thu 8:30a–6p · Fri 8:30a–6p · Sat 9a–4p · Sun Closed
Price: Varies
Phone: (760) 737-0800

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PostalAnnex

Local studio

711 Center Dr Ste 105, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

4.7 · 466 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

PostalAnnex is a local shipping and business services center in San Marcos that offers convenient passport photo services. Walk-in customers can expect to have their photos taken and printed to meet official government requirements during regular operating hours from Monday to Saturday. Please call the store directly for current pricing information.

Hours: Mon 8:30a–5:30p · Tue 8:30a–5:30p · Wed 8:30a–5:30p · Thu 8:30a–5:30p · Fri 8:30a–5:30p · Sat 9a–3p · Sun Closed
Price: Varies
Phone: (760) 741-1112

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Cal Copy San Marcos, Inc.

Local studio

405 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd #113, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

3.7 · 21 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

Cal Copy San Marcos, Inc. is a local copy and print shop in San Marcos, California, that offers passport photo services. Walk-in customers can expect standard passport photo processing during their regular weekday hours from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please call for pricing and to confirm availability before your visit.

Hours: Mon 9a–5p · Tue 9a–5p · Wed 9a–5p · Thu 9a–5p · Fri 9a–5p · Sat Closed · Sun Closed
Price: Varies
Phone: (760) 744-9949

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PostalAnnex

Local studio

197 Woodland Pkwy #104, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

3.5 · 43 Google reviewsVerified May 2026

PostalAnnex in San Marcos is a retail shipping and business services center that offers on-site passport photography. Walk-in customers can expect quick, compliant photos taken during their regular operating hours, Monday through Saturday. Please call the store directly for current pricing and availability.

Hours: Mon 8:30a–6p · Tue 8:30a–6p · Wed 8:30a–6p · Thu 8:30a–6p · Fri 8:30a–6p · Sat 9a–4p · Sun Closed
Price: Varies
Phone: (760) 744-9648

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URGENT TRAVEL · NEAREST PASSPORT AGENCY

Closest in-person passport agency to San Marcos.

San Diego Passport Agency

1 Columbia Place 401 West A St, 10th Floor San Diego, CA 92101 · About 35 miles south of San Marcos

Appointments are strictly required and limited to travelers with life-or-death emergencies or urgent international travel within 14 days.

FAQ

Passport photo questions, San Marcos edition.

Can I take my own passport photo in San Marcos?

Yes, you can take your own passport photo in San Marcos as long as it meets all federal guidelines. You can use a smartphone or digital camera, but selfies are not allowed, so you will need a friend or a tripod to help. Services like Perfect Passport can help ensure your home photo is fully compliant before you print or submit it.

What size and format does a U.S. passport photo need to be?

A U.S. passport photo must be exactly 2 by 2 inches in size and printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper. It needs to be a high-resolution color image taken against a plain white or off-white background. Your head must measure between 1 and 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.

Can I wear glasses or a hat in my U.S. passport photo?

No, the State Department prohibits wearing eyeglasses in your passport photo, even if you wear them daily in San Marcos. Hats and head coverings are also banned unless you submit a signed statement verifying they are worn daily for religious purposes or a doctor's note for medical reasons.

Are passport photos for babies and young children different?

The basic requirements for baby passport photos are the same, but the State Department is slightly more lenient about the child's posture and expression. For infants in San Marcos, you can lay them on their back on a plain white blanket or drape a car seat with a white sheet. Make sure no other people, hands, or pacifiers are visible in the frame.

Do I need a new photo to renew my passport?

Yes, you must submit a new, updated photo every time you renew your U.S. passport. The State Department requires the picture to have been taken within the last six months to reflect your current appearance. Even if your look hasn't changed much while living in California, an older photo will cause your application to be rejected.

How long does it currently take to get a passport?

Routine passport processing currently takes about 4 to 6 weeks, while expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks. These timeframes do not include mailing times, which can add extra time to the total turnaround. If you are applying from San Marcos, it is best to submit your application well in advance of your planned trip.

Where is the closest U.S. Passport Agency to San Marcos?

The closest regional facility is the San Diego Passport Agency, located about 35 miles south of San Marcos. This agency is strictly for urgent travel needs, such as life-or-death emergencies or international flights departing within 14 days. You cannot walk in for routine service and must schedule an appointment by calling the National Passport Information Center.

Skip the drive. Make a passport photo in San Marcos from your phone.

Snap a picture. We size it to State Department spec, replace the background, and check every official rule. Free to try.