The United States will offer its first online passport application
The United States is preparing to transition to an online application system for citizens who will obtain a passport for the first time. The new system is slated to launch in 2027.
A new system is being developed that will change the application process for citizens who will obtain a passport for the first time in the United States. Foreign Minister Marco Rubio announced that from next year, Americans are expected to be able to submit their first passport applications entirely online. In a speech during the launch of the America.gov platform on September 29, Rubio said the system would be rolled out in stages.
Goal: Expand by the End of 2027
Rubio said the government's goal is that by the end of 2027, the majority of Americans can apply for a passport or passport card through America.gov. The new system is intended to make it easier for citizens living outside major cities to access the procedures.
Currently, Face-to-Face Application Is Mandatory
Under the current system, adults aged 18 and over who will obtain a passport for the first time must submit their applications in person at an authorized acceptance center. The U.S. Department of State also states that first passport applications must be made face‑to‑face at acceptance facilities. These centers include post offices, court officials’ offices, public libraries, and some local government agencies.
Personal Information Will Be Ready in the System
One of the new online system’s key features will be that users can access some of their existing personal information through their login.gov accounts. Rubio said this would reduce the need to repeatedly enter the same information during the application. The system will also show the applicant at which stage the process is and what the next step is.
Phone Era for Photos
A new application is also being planned for passport photos. According to current rules, the applicant must submit a photo taken within the last 6 months, in color, with a white or off‑white background. In the new online system, citizens will be able to take their photos with their phones and upload them during the application.
Need for Third‑Party Companies Will Decrease
Rubio also drew attention to private companies that charge citizens at various stages of passport processing. The minister said that some companies even charge for free forms and appointments, and that there are risks in sharing personal data with third parties. ABD Dışişleri Bakanlığı, meanwhile, recommends using official web addresses for passport procedures and exercising caution with third‑party services.
America.gov Will Offer One‑Stop Service
The new passport system will be part of the America.gov platform introduced by President Donald Trump on September 29. The Trump administration created the platform to make it easier to access services of federal agencies. America.gov aims to gather information from about 30,000 federal government websites into a single portal and to provide official-source answers to citizens' questions about services.
Medicare and Federal Jobs also on the Platform
The use of America.gov is not intended to be limited to passport processing. The platform is expected to assist citizens with Medicare coverage and enrollment next year. In addition, a system that will enable access to federal job postings and help users find positions matching their resumes and experience is also planned to be deployed.
Fees for Current Passport Applications
Today, for the first time, the application fee for an adult passport book is $130 and the acceptance facility fee is $35. Fees for a passport card alone are $30 and $35; when a passport book and card are obtained together, the application fee is $160 and the acceptance facility fee is $35.
Online renewal is already possible
Unlike first-time passport applications, ABD citizens who meet the appropriate conditions can renew their existing passports online. However, this provision does not apply to people applying for a passport for the first time. According to the current rules of ABD Dışişleri Bakanlığı, those who will receive an adult passport for the first time still need to submit their applications in person.
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