On September 29, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced several upcoming changes to the U.S. passport and related processes, including:
- A transition to online applications in 2027 through the newly launched gov, including for first-time applications, with a tracker showing an estimated delivery date for the passport and the ability to get updates through Login.gov.
- A redesign of the passport for 2028, standardizing at 38 pages and including the ability to use a self-photo taken from a personal device (including the ability to retake the photo) or upload an existing photo rather than having to get a passport photo at a drugstore or elsewhere.
- In keeping with the theme of “Flight of the Eagle,” the addition of graphic features, such as an eagle in different positions appearing to fly when the pages are flipped through selected images from U.S. history.
