The State Department announced upgrades that will let first-time U.S. passport applicants complete applications online via Login.gov, including the option to upload selfies with real-time previews, pay fees and track delivery. Children under 16 will still need in-person appointments. By 2028 a redesigned passport called "Flight of the Eagle" will debut with a flipbook eagle, richer artwork, a bolder Great Seal and an expanded 38-page standard booklet.
Say Goodbye to Awful Passport Photos: U.S. Will Let Applicants Upload Selfies — New Passport Design Coming by 2028
Photograph: Shutterstock
Most passport photos—taken at drugstores, post offices or cramped photo booths—end up looking like mugshots. Relief is on the way: the U.S. State Department announced a major update to the passport experience during the launch of America.gov, and the photo process is the headline change.
Online Applications and Selfies
First-time applicants will soon be able to complete the entire passport application online through Login.gov. That means you can take a fresh selfie with your smartphone or upload a camera-roll photo from home. The new system will include a real-time preview to help applicants meet photo requirements, online fee payment and step-by-step delivery tracking—making renewals and last-minute applications faster and easier.
Who Still Needs To Apply In Person
To protect minors, children under 16 will still be required to apply in person. Adults will benefit from the new digital workflow, but safeguards for younger applicants remain in place.
‘Flight of the Eagle’ Passport Booklet (By 2028)
In addition to digital changes, the State Department plans to roll out a redesigned physical passport booklet by 2028, nicknamed "Flight of the Eagle". The new design will feature a sleeker blue cover with a more prominent, gilded Great Seal. Inside, the right-hand pages will offer a flipbook-style animation of a bald eagle in flight as you thumb through the passport.
The interior pages will display colorful artwork celebrating American milestones—from the Revolutionary War and the Wright brothers to the Artemis program. The standard passport will expand from 26 to 38 pages to better serve frequent travelers, and delivery packaging will be upgraded from thin paper envelopes to sturdier, premium materials.
What To Do If Your Passport Is Still Valid
If your current passport remains valid past 2028, you do not need to replace it early—your passport will remain valid until its printed expiration date. For new applicants and those renewing, the process should soon be simpler and more modern. Just remember: keep your selfie professional and compliant with official photo rules.
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