US Unveils New Look for Passports. Here’s What Has Changed - Newsweek

The U.S. government has revealed a new, redesigned passport and announced plans to dramatically modernize the way Americans can apply for one.

Speaking at President Donald Trump's America.gov Event on September 29, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demonstrated a new passport application process that he said U.S. citizens can "complete entirely from home" and showed off a "beautiful" new U.S. passport that’s expected to roll out in 2028.

The changes are part of the Trump administration's new AI-powered government services platform, America.gov, which he launched on Tuesday, touting it as a "single digital point of entry" designed to simplify how Americans access government services.

The last major U.S. passport redesign was introduced in 2021, following the 2016 redesign of the passport book’s overall format and security features. The 2028 update therefore represents another significant modernization within a relatively short period, reflecting continued efforts to strengthen security, incorporate new technologies, and improve document durability and usability.

Perhaps the biggest change that Rubio announced is that first-time passport applicants will no longer need to navigate the traditional, paper-based process.

According to Rubio, Americans will be able to apply for their first passport entirely online beginning next year through America.gov. Applicants will log in through login.gov, use information already held by the government, upload a passport photo from their device, pay online, and track the status of their application digitally; "No printing forms, no drugstore hostage photo, no appointment, no line, no middleman," he said.

The State Department demonstrated the process, showing how users can take their own passport photo at home, preview how it will appear on the passport, submit the application, and then pay for it securely, without filling in any forms or attending in-person appointments.

Rubio added that the platform also provides real-time tracking, so applicants can see exactly when their new passport will arrive.

He said the goal is for the "vast majority of Americans" to be able to apply for a passport or passport card through the online platform by the end of 2027.

Rubio also unveiled what he says is a "uniquely American" design that will become the next generation of the U.S. passport.

Rubio described the redesign as a celebration of American history and identity, centered on the American eagle—the "emblem of American strength and freedom." While the eagle has long appeared on the passport cover, the new version gives it a much more prominent role throughout the document.

The new cover features a larger "more gold" Great Seal, the official national emblem of the U.S. government, and a more prominent display of the words "United States of America," according to Rubio.

Inside, the passport pages show major moments in U.S. history, from the American Revolution and westward expansion to the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima and NASA's Artemis missions, a nod to America's modern space exploration efforts.

Another new visual feature that Rubio also presented was an animation that gives the impression of an eagle in flight when passport holders flip through the pages.

The 2028 "Flight of the Eagle" passport can be viewed alongside earlier commemorative editions such as the 2026 Patriot Passport as part of a broader tradition of using U.S. travel documents to reflect national history and symbolism. Earlier designs likewise combined enhanced security features with imagery intended to express American identity.

For most travelers, the practical benefits are likely to come from the digital application process rather than the passport's appearance.

The online process could reduce the need for in-person appointments, printed paperwork, and third-party passport assistance services that charge fees to help applicants navigate through the application process. Rubio argued that the current system has created opportunities for outside companies to profit from a process that should be more straightforward.

Travelers are also expected to gain access to improved application tracking, including estimated delivery dates and real-time status updates. Rubio noted that Americans have historically had better visibility into tracking their fast food takeaway deliveries than passport processing.

Existing U.S. passports will remain valid until their stated expiration date, provided they remain otherwise valid (for example, not damaged or invalidated). The State Department explicitly says passports issued with older designs can still be used for international travel while valid.

The redesigned passport itself is not expected to change international travel requirements. Instead, the overhaul is intended to update the document's look and presentation while maintaining the high security standards associated with U.S. passports.

Rubio described the passport as one of the world's most trusted identity documents and said the new version would remain highly secure.

Taken together, the changes represent one of the most significant updates to the U.S. passport system in years, combining a fully digital application experience with a redesigned travel document that officials say reflects 250 years of American history.

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.