U.S. State Department to overhaul passport applications and design

The U.S. State Department has announced a major overhaul of the passport application process, scheduled to begin in 2027. During the launch of the America.gov government services website, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Americans will soon be able to apply for their first passport entirely online. This change aims to eliminate the need for in-person appointments, printed forms, and physical lines for first-time applicants, as well as those renewing passports issued more than 15 years ago or when the applicant was under 16.

In addition to procedural changes, the State Department is planning a new passport design, referred to by Senator Rubio as the ‘Flight of the Eagle,’ set to replace current standards in 2028. The new 38-page book will feature artwork depicting 250 years of American history with an animation effect of a bald eagle. During a recent livestream, a preview of the passport pages included a portrait of President Donald Trump, leading to speculation regarding the final design. While the State Department has not officially confirmed the inclusion of the president's image, industry experts suggest that those wishing to avoid the new design may have a limited window to apply using current versions.