If you have a U.S. passport or you’re planning to apply for one, there are some big changes coming, from how Americans apply and renew to the actual passport book itself. Some of the changes should make getting a passport easier. Others, particularly for frequent international travelers, might not be quite as welcome. Here’s what travelers need to know.
Passport services are moving to America.gov
The U.S. government recently launched America.gov, which is designed to become a single online portal for accessing federal government services.
According to the White House, Americans will eventually be able to complete certain government transactions directly through America.gov instead of bouncing between multiple government websites. Passport renewal is specifically mentioned as one of the services scheduled to become available through America.gov later in 2026.
That’s potentially a big improvement for travelers. The State Department already allows eligible Americans to renew their passports online, but the new system is expected to further streamline the process as government services are integrated into America.gov.
One important distinction: Despite some reports suggesting otherwise, the State Department currently says adults applying for their first passport must still apply in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility. So don’t cancel that appointment just yet.
You can take your passport photo with your phone
You can take your passport photo with your phoneOne of the best parts of online passport renewal is that eligible applicants don’t necessarily have to make a trip to CVS, Walgreens or another passport photo location. You can take your own digital passport photo, including with a smartphone, and upload it as part of an online renewal application.
Of course, you can’t just upload your favorite selfie. The State Department requires a color photo taken within the last six months. You need to face the camera directly, stand several feet in front of a plain white or off-white background and make sure there are no shadows, objects or textures behind you.
And don’t even think about touching it up. The State Department specifically says not to use filters, retouching tools, artificial intelligence or other digital tools to alter your appearance or background. In fact, the agency says unacceptable photos are the number one reason passport applications are put on hold. So while taking your own photo can save you time and money, follow the instructions carefully.
The 50-page passport is going away
This is the change frequent international travelers will want to pay attention to. Right now, the State Department issues its Next Generation Passport in two sizes: a standard 26-page book and a larger 50-page book. That’s going to change.
The State Department announced in the Federal Register that its next passport redesign, known as Series B, is expected to roll out in 2028. When it does, the two sizes will be replaced by one standardized 38-page passport book. The emergency passport will remain a 12-page book.
According to the State Department, 92% of passport customers currently request the 26-page version. Only about 8% receive the 50-page book, and many of those are special-issuance or overseas applicants.
Moving everyone to 38 pages means most travelers will actually get more pages than they do today. Frequent international travelers, however, will get fewer.
The State Department acknowledges that some frequent travelers and Americans living overseas could have to renew their passports more often once the 50-page option disappears.
Personally, I don’t think this will be nearly as big of a problem as it would have been years ago. More countries are moving away from physical passport stamps and toward electronic entry and exit systems. Europe, for example, has been rolling out its Entry/Exit System (EES), which digitally records travelers entering and leaving the Schengen Area. Still, I’ll miss having the option of ordering the larger passport book, especially since frequent travelers could request it without paying extra.
A completely redesigned U.S. passport is coming
The page count isn’t the only thing changing. The State Department is developing the new Series B passport for an anticipated 2028 rollout, replacing the current Next Generation Passport design that began being issued in 2021.
The proposed new cover is noticeably different. The Great Seal of the United States and its bald eagle are much larger and more prominent, giving the passport a bolder look than the current version.
The design has already generated plenty of opinions online, which isn’t surprising. Passports are something people keep for a decade and the U.S. passport has a pretty recognizable look.
I’d file some of the discussion about the interior design under developing for now. There has been considerable online speculation about images shown during presentations of the new passport, but travelers should be careful not to confuse the upcoming Series B passport with the limited-edition passport created to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
The State Department hasn’t yet published all of the final Series B interior artwork and details on its passport website, and the passport isn’t expected to roll out until 2028. A lot can happen between now and then.
What travelers should do now
There’s no reason to rush out and renew a perfectly good passport just because a new design is coming. Your existing passport remains valid until its expiration date, subject, of course, to the entry requirements of the country you’re visiting. Remember that some countries require your passport to be valid for three or six months beyond your travel dates.
If you’re renewing now and travel internationally frequently, I’d still request the larger 50-page book while it’s available. And if you’re eligible to renew online, being able to upload a digital photo makes the process considerably easier than it used to be.
The biggest takeaway is that the U.S. passport system is becoming much more digital. Applications and renewals are moving online, passport photos can already be uploaded digitally for eligible online renewals and even the way countries record our arrivals and departures is increasingly electronic.
H/T I first learned about some of these upcoming changes from the excellent From the Tray Table newsletter and then did some digging to find out exactly what’s changing and when.
