Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department is developing a system that would allow Americans to take and upload passport photos from their phones or computers as part of a broader effort to modernize the passport application process and reduce wait times.
Speaking last week at a reception for the State Department’s launch of a commemorative passport marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, Rubio outlined plans to let applicants complete nearly the entire passport application online.
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The proposal would eliminate one of the most common hurdles for applicants: obtaining printed passport photos that meet federal requirements.
“You’ll be able to take your picture from that device and be able to have it in real time, through our security system, verify the facial ID,” Rubio said. He added that applicants no longer need to visit a photo service to obtain passport pictures before submitting an application.
Rubio said the system would use facial recognition technology to verify an applicant’s identity and is intended to speed up processing while reducing the need for in-person appointments.
Rubio said the plan is to make obtaining a passport “a much more customer-friendly” process, adding that the department hopes to roll out the feature “in a few months” once it is ready. He cautioned that some people may still choose to apply through traditional methods, but the online option would be available for those who prefer it.
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The online photo submission is one of several passport changes Rubio previewed. He also said future passports will be shipped in a more distinctive presentation box with a certificate of authenticity, replacing the standard mailing envelope.
The State Department has expanded online passport services in recent years, including online renewal for many applicants, as it has worked to shorten processing times following pandemic-era backlogs.
