U.S. passports are getting a digital overhaul and a new look. Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a redesigned "Flight of the Eagle" passport, featuring an enlarged Great Seal, historical imagery and an animation effect, and demonstrated an AI-powered online application available via America.gov. First-time applicants will be able to apply entirely online starting next year, with broader online access targeted by the end of 2027 and the new passport rolling out in 2028. Existing passports remain valid until expiration and international travel rules are unchanged.
U.S. Unveils 'Flight of the Eagle' Passport and Fully Digital Application via America.gov
Marco Rubio unveils the new U.S. passport and application process at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on September 29, 2026.
The U.S. government has revealed a redesigned passport and a plan to modernize how Americans apply for one, combining a refreshed look with an AI-driven, fully digital application experience.
What Officials Announced
At the America.gov launch event on September 29, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio demonstrated a new online application workflow he said U.S. citizens will be able to "complete entirely from home." He also unveiled the next-generation passport design, expected to begin rolling out in 2028.
How The New Application Works
Under the demonstrated process, first-time applicants will sign in with login.gov, authorize the use of government-held records, upload a passport photo from their device, pay fees securely online and track the application status in real time. Rubio emphasized the convenience: "No printing forms, no drugstore hostage photo, no appointment, no line, no middleman." The State Department showed users how they can take and preview their own passport photo at home, submit the application entirely online and receive secure status updates.
File photo: people wait in line at the entrance of the security checkpoint in LAX airport in Los Angeles in October 2018.
Design And Security Updates
The new passport—branded the "Flight of the Eagle" edition—centers on the American eagle and features a larger, more gold Great Seal on the cover. Inside, visa pages depict key moments in U.S. history, from the Revolutionary War and westward expansion to the Iwo Jima flag-raising and NASA's Artemis missions. Officials also highlighted a micro-animation effect that creates the impression of an eagle in flight when pages are flipped. While the look is updated, the State Department said security standards will remain high and that the redesign is intended to preserve international acceptability.
Timing And Practical Impact
Rubio said the goal is for the "vast majority of Americans" to be able to apply for a passport or passport card online by the end of 2027, with the new passport design rolling out in 2028. Existing passports will remain valid until their expiration dates provided they are not otherwise invalidated or damaged. The change is likely to reduce in-person appointments, printed paperwork and dependence on third-party services that charge fees to assist applicants.
Why It Matters
Officials framed the update as both a modernization of government services—part of the AI-powered America.gov platform—and a celebration of national identity. Beyond aesthetics, the most practical benefits for travelers are expected to be faster, more transparent application processing and improved delivery tracking.
Bottom line: The U.S. is pairing a visually refreshed passport with a streamlined, digital-first application system intended to make applying simpler, faster and more secure while keeping existing documents valid under current rules.
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