A passport will require verified photo identification that reflects your current appearance. Therefore, it is an official document that will need to be updated every several years based on the country you live in.
In this blog, we will be discussing how you can have your passport taken in a timely manner and for the best price available while living in Calgary, Canada.
What are the cheapest services to get your passport photo taken in Calgary?
We have compiled a list of four of the most common and affordable places in Calgary that you can go to have your passport photo taken.
1. London Drugs
A Canadian retail pharmacy chain. They offer a variety of photography services including passport photos. The time commitment to getting your passport photo is 15 to 30 minutes
2. The United Parcel Service (UPS)
An American shipping and receiving management company. They have hundreds of locations across the United States and Canada. They also offer passport photo services. The time commitment is approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Shoppers Drug Mart
A Canadian retail and pharmacy chain. They offer passport photo services at their locations. The time commitment is approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Smartphone ID
A mobile app that allows you to take your professional passport photo using a smartphone device from the comfort of your own home in Calgary. The app is the most affordable option and requires the least time commitment.
What are the costs of getting your passport photo in Calgary?
Here is the cost of getting your passport photo taken at one of these three stores in Calgary:
- London Drugs: The approximate price for a passport photo at London Drugs is $13 CAD.
- UPS: The approximate price for a passport photo at UPS is $11.99 CAD.
- Shoppers Drug Mart: The approximate price for a passport photo at Shoppers Drug Mart is $19.99 CAD.
It is important to note that these are approximate costs and the price of having your passport photo taken at one of these three stores may vary.
Where to find passport photo services in Calgary?
Each store that we have listed above includes a store tracker on their online websites. All you need to do is visit the store of your choice and input your city or address. Following this, the locater will provide you with all the store locations nearest to you. This makes it easy to identify and find the address for the store.
Does Calgary offer passport photo services for babies and infants?
This is a very common question from parents that are starting to consider traveling with their children. Yes, babies and infants need a passport before they can cross into another country.
Passport photos for children and infants are provided by London Drugs, UPS, and Shoppers Drug Mart in Calgary. However, this can be a difficult process because some children may struggle with sitting still for the photo. Newborns have some flexibility and passport photos can still be verified if their mouths remain slightly open.
It’s important to allocate some additional time to the session if you need to have a photo taken for your children.
Where to check if your passport photo taken in Calgary meets the government requirements?
All photos must be verified by the passport office before they can be officially used for a physical passport. This means that certain requirements must be met. Here are some tips for meeting the government’s requirement for a passport photo:
- Wear clothing that will clearly contrast with a light-coloured background.
- Don’t smile or open your mouth during a photo. You must retain a neutral expression.
- Glasses, sunglasses, and any headwear (except for religious reasons) must be removed before taking the photo.
- The photo must be in colour.
Following these tips will help to make sure that the passport photo will be successfully verified and accepted by a passport office.
How to take a passport photo at home using your phone? (if you don’t have the time to visit a local retail store)
However, there is a faster and more affordable way to have your passport taken from the comfort of your own home at an unbeatable price. Not everyone has the time to drive to one of the store locations and wait for your photo to be taken and printed.
This problem has been solved by using the Smartphone-ID app. This is a state-of-the-art app that allows individuals to take their passport photos from home using their mobile devices!
- The app is compatible with all smartphone devices and can be downloaded via the Apple or Google Play store.
- Smartphone ID will properly edit, size, and remove the background of the photo you take.
- All photos are verified and examined by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
- The passport photo can be received via email or printed and posted to your desired address.
In summary,
Calgary has a number of retail locations and stores that can provide passport photo services. However, a photo can be just as easily taken from the comfort of your home with less time commitment and more affordable prices. That way you can save more money for your next trip and put that passport to good use!
