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Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new US passport design for 2028, featuring a larger gold seal, a presentation box, and online application options starting next year.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new US passport design and application process during a launch event for America.gov. The redesign, set to roll out in 2028, includes a larger gold seal on the cover and a white-and-gold presentation box for delivery. Starting next year, Americans will be able to apply for their first passport entirely online and take their own passport photos using a smartphone, eliminating the need to visit a drugstore. This marks a significant shift in how the United States issues and delivers its passports.
Details of the New Passport Design
The new passport cover features a much larger coat of arms in gold, a color favored by former President Donald Trump. An author and historian specializing in passport history noted that the eagle takes up about three quarters of the space, while the word 'passport' is set as small as possible. He described it as mostly eagle, barely passport. The placement of 'United States of America' above the seal in larger letters further emphasizes national symbolism. This shift is consistent with Trump's commemorative 'Patriot Passport,' which also enlarged the country's name, moved it to the top, and shrank the word 'passport' at the bottom. The interior cover art includes a portrait over Trump's signature, marking the first living president featured inside a US passport. The interior pages are decorated with artwork referencing America's history and an eagle illustration that appears to fly when the pages are flipped quickly.
Background and Historical Context
The announcement follows the release of the 'Patriot Passport' commemorating the country's 250th anniversary, of which 250,000 additional copies were rolled out at the end of July. The new design has drawn comparisons to other countries' creative passport features, such as Finland's running moose in 2013 and Thailand's royal white elephant that seems to walk when the book is riffled. However, experts point out that the animated eagle is new for the American passport but not for the genre. Having previously described the 'Patriot Passport' design as bearing the hallmarks of a classic Trump spectacle, the historian said this second redesign in a short stretch reads as more of the same impulse from the administration. He also noted a lack of information on new or improved security features, leaving questions about what has changed under the laminate.
Online Application and Photo Guidelines
During the presentation, Rubio also announced that future passports will be delivered in a luxurious white-and-gold presentation box. He stated that the presentation and delivery method should matter for something as important and dignified as a United States passport. However, at a time when Americans are struggling to afford groceries, the prioritization of passport delivery packaging aesthetics has been met with bafflement. Critics argue that taxpayers will fund a fancy envelope with gold accents, which does little to cover essential expenses like electric bills, groceries, or gas. The historian added that while a box in the style of an iPhone package looks more elite than a plain envelope, it may not be practical or economical, and he expects passport fees to rise with the redesign and packaging.
Starting next year, Americans will be able to apply for their first passport entirely online, according to Rubio. He also introduced changes to the passport photo process, joking that applicants can take a new photo themselves on their phone, though filters that make them look 50 years younger are not allowed. They can take a picture at home or upload one directly from their device, eliminating the need to go to a drugstore for a photo behind a white screen. The agency provides a list of guidelines the photo must meet for approval, along with examples of best practices and non-compliant images.
Timeline and Expert Analysis
The new passport design is expected to roll out in 2028, but experts caution that the timeline could shift due to the complex operational effort required for printing and delivering the new passports. The editor-in-chief at The Points Guy noted that only time will tell if the timeline holds. The historian expressed that the redesign focuses heavily on the eagle, leaving unanswered questions about security enhancements. He also pointed out that the packaging is harder to judge, as a box styled like an iPhone package may look more elite but could lead to higher passport fees. The administration appears to be taking steps to make its Trump-centric design changes more permanent, along with other updates to the passport system.
US Passport Marco Rubio Online Application Patriot Passport 2028 Rollout Gold Seal Presentation Box
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