A redesigned U.S. passport is coming, but the biggest change may have less to do with its appearance and more to do with how Americans apply for one.
The State Department has unveiled plans for a new passport design expected to roll out in early 2028, along with major changes to the application process.
What’s changing?
• A redesigned passport: The new booklet will feature a much larger gold Great Seal on the cover, along with interior artwork that includes a presidential portrait and historical imagery. The pages will also feature an animated eagle effect when the passport is flipped quickly.
• A new delivery experience: Future passports are expected to arrive in a white-and-gold presentation box, replacing the traditional mailing approach.
• First-time applications go online: Starting next year, the State Department says Americans will be able to complete their first passport application entirely online, including submitting a digital photo.
• Real-time application updates: The planned system is designed to provide status information and an estimated delivery date rather than requiring applicants to wait for their application to appear in the existing tracking system.
• A standardized booklet: Future passports are expected to use a 38-page format, replacing the current choice between different page counts. Frequent international travelers could therefore need to renew sooner if they regularly collect visas or entry stamps.
What travelers should know
The new booklet isn’t expected until 2028, so Americans applying or renewing now will continue receiving the current passport design.
For travelers, however, the online application system could be the more meaningful upgrade. First-time applicants would no longer have to rely on the traditional combination of printed forms, physical documents and an in-person visit to an acceptance facility.
The Smarter Take: The flashy new passport may get the attention, but the digital application system could ultimately be the change travelers notice most.