Anna Duplantis -
2 weeks ago In summary
• First-time U.S. passports will be fully online starting in 2027.• Applicants can upload home photos, but AI edits are still banned.
• A new passport design is planned for 2028.
Getting a first U.S. passport has traditionally meant paperwork, an in-person appointment and a trip to find somewhere that can take an acceptable passport photo.
That process is about to change.
Starting in 2027, Americans will be able to apply for their first passport entirely online through the new America.gov platform, according to the State Department. The change is expected to eliminate several steps that currently require applicants to leave home, including the in-person appointment and the need to obtain a printed passport photo from a pharmacy or other retailer.
For Americans planning international travel, the change could make one of the most tedious parts of preparing for a trip considerably easier.
No More Appointment or Drugstore Passport Photo
The biggest change is aimed at first-time passport applicants.
Today, adults applying for their first passport generally have to complete Form DS-11 and submit their application in person at an authorized acceptance facility. There are more than 7,500 such facilities across the country, including post offices, libraries and local government offices.
The new system is designed to move that process online.
During a demonstration of the new platform, Secretary of State Marco Rubio showed how an applicant could ask America.gov how to obtain a first passport and then be guided through the process. Applicants will be able to provide their information, upload a photo taken on a phone and pay online.
By the end of 2027, the goal is for the vast majority of Americans to be able to apply for a passport or passport card through America.gov.
For travelers, that could remove several of the most frustrating steps from the process.
Americans Will Be Able to Take Their Passport Photo at Home
For many travelers, the passport photo may be the most noticeable change.
Instead of paying a store to take the picture, applicants will be able to use a smartphone or another device to take their own photo and upload it digitally.
There is an important catch: a passport selfie cannot simply be edited like a social-media picture.
The State Department requires a color photo taken within the last six months, with the applicant facing the camera directly against a plain white or off-white background. Filters, AI alterations and other digital changes are not permitted.
The digital system is also expected to help applicants determine whether their photo meets basic requirements before submitting it.
That could eliminate one of the most frustrating parts of the passport process: discovering that a photograph does not meet federal requirements after an application has already been submitted.
The State Department says unacceptable photographs are currently the number one reason passport applications are placed on hold. Improvements to its digital photo process have already reduced photo-related errors involving backgrounds, head position and image quality.
The Passport Process Is Getting a Much Bigger Digital Makeover
The photo change is only one part of the overhaul.
America.gov is intended to become a single digital entry point for federal government services, using artificial intelligence to guide users through different processes.
For passport applicants, the new system is expected to provide digital application assistance and allow users to track their application and receive information about delivery.
That represents a major change from the current process, where first-time applicants still have to navigate a largely paper-based system and appear in person.
The State Department has already seen significant results from its online renewal program. The agency says the digital renewal process can take roughly 10 minutes to complete, compared with around 40 minutes for the previous paper-based process.
Millions of renewals have already been completed online.
The next step is bringing that convenience to Americans who are getting their first passport.
You Still Cannot Use an AI-Generated Passport Photo
The new system does not mean applicants will be able to submit any picture they want.
The basic passport requirements remain strict. Applicants must face the camera directly, keep both eyes visible, maintain a neutral expression and use a plain background. Glasses generally cannot be worn, and the image must be an original, unedited photograph.
Artificial intelligence and beauty filters are also off limits.
The State Department specifically warns applicants against using phone apps, filters or AI to alter their appearance.
That distinction could become particularly important as more Americans begin taking their own passport photos instead of relying on professional photo services.
The goal is to make the process easier, not to make the security requirements less strict.
A New U.S. Passport Design Is Also Coming
The application process is not the only thing changing.
A redesigned U.S. passport is planned for 2028 under the name “Flight of the Eagle.” The new design is expected to feature a larger gold national emblem and new artwork inside the passport.
The changes are part of the broader modernization of the U.S. passport system.
For frequent international travelers, however, the digital application may prove much more significant than the appearance of the passport itself.
Being able to apply from home, submit a compliant photo digitally and track the application online could remove several time-consuming steps from the process.
Travelers Will Still Need to Follow the Current Rules for Now
There is one important detail for Americans planning a trip soon: the new first-time online application system is not available yet.
The change is scheduled to begin in 2027.
For now, adults applying for their first passport must still follow the existing in-person process.
The current State Department guidance lists the adult passport book application fee at $130, plus a $35 acceptance fee. Expedited processing costs an additional $60.
Routine processing is currently listed at four to six weeks, while expedited processing takes two to three weeks, not including mailing time.
That means travelers with an international trip coming up should not wait for the new digital system.
But for Americans planning travel next year and beyond, one of the most annoying parts of getting a passport is finally on its way out: the trip to get that passport photo taken.
For millions of travelers, the passport application could soon become something they complete from their own living room rather than at a post office counter.
