First-Time US Passport Applications Move Online in 2027 🛂

TL;DR

• First-time US passport applications are moving online through America.gov

• You’ll be able to apply without the usual in-person appointment or paper forms

• Applicants will be able to take or upload their own passport photo

• Payment will happen online through the new system

• You’ll be able to track your application and see an estimated delivery date

• The rollout is planned for next year, with broader availability expected by the end of 2027

• Exact eligibility requirements, fees and the full rollout timeline haven’t been announced yet

Can I Apply for My First US Passport Online?

Not yet, but that’s changing.

First-time adult passport applicants currently generally need to apply in person. Under the new system, first-time applicants will be able to use America.gov to complete the application process online.

Rubio said the goal is for the vast majority of Americans to be able to apply for a passport or passport card through America.gov by the end of 2027.

Until the new service actually launches, though, the existing application process remains in place.

How Will the Online Passport Application Work?

This is where it gets pretty convenient.

During the announcement, Rubio demonstrated what the new first-time passport application process is expected to look like.

You’ll start on America.gov and ask how to apply for your first passport. After securely signing in through Login.gov, the system can pull information the government already has about you, including your name and address.

Then comes one of our favorite changes: you’ll be able to take your own passport photo.

Applicants will be able to take a photo on their phone or upload one from their device, preview how it will actually look on the passport and retake it if necessary.

No more paying for a passport photo you hate for the next decade.

You’ll then be able to pay online and, once the application is submitted, follow its progress through a real-time status tracker with an estimated delivery date.

Do I Still Need an Appointment for a New Passport?

Under the planned online system, first-time applicants will no longer need the traditional in-person appointment as part of the standard online process.

That’s a major change from the current system, where first-time adult applicants generally have to bring their documents to an authorized passport acceptance facility.

The State Department hasn’t released all of the final eligibility rules yet, though, so we don’t know whether certain applicants or situations could still require additional in-person verification.

Can I take my own passport photo?

Yep, and this might be the best part.

The new America.gov application is designed to let you take a passport photo using your phone or upload one directly from your device.

You’ll even be able to preview the photo on the passport before submitting it. And if you hate it? Take another one.

Rubio joked during the demonstration that people could retake it until they finally get one they like.

What About Online Passport Renewals?

Those are already a thing.

The US Department of State made its online passport renewal system fully available to eligible Americans in September 2024.

The big difference here is that the digital process is now being expanded beyond renewals to people applying for their first US passport.

When will First-Time Online Passport Applications Start?

This is where we’d hold off on putting a date in the calendar.

The administration says the expanded digital passport system is coming next year, with Rubio saying the goal is for the vast majority of Americans to be able to apply for a passport or passport card through America.gov by the end of 2027.

Some reports have pointed to an earlier rollout, but a definitive public launch date and complete eligibility rules haven’t been announced.

So for now: it’s coming, but don’t wait for it if you need a passport soon.

How much does a first-time US passport cost?

The new online application doesn’t mean passports are becoming free.

Current passport fees still apply, and the State Department hasn’t announced whether pricing will change when the new online system launches.

Fees also depend on whether you’re applying for a passport book, passport card or both, so check the current State Department fee schedule before applying.

First-Time Online Passport Application FAQ

Can I apply for my first US passport online?

Not yet. The State Department is preparing to allow first-time applicants to apply online through America.gov, with the broader rollout planned through 2027. Until then, first-time applicants generally still need to apply in person.

When does the online first-time passport application launch?

A final nationwide launch date hasn’t been announced. The administration says the new system is coming next year, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the goal is for the vast majority of Americans to be able to apply for a passport or passport card through America.gov by the end of 2027.

Do I still need an appointment for a new passport?

The new online process is designed to remove the traditional appointment requirement for first-time applicants who are eligible to use it. Final eligibility requirements haven’t been released yet.

Do I need to get a passport photo taken at a store?

Not with the planned online system. You’ll be able to take a photo with your phone or upload one from your device and preview it before submitting your application.

Can I track my passport application online?

Yes. The new America.gov system is designed to provide real-time application status information and an estimated passport delivery date.

How much does a first-time US passport cost?

Passport fees vary depending on what you’re applying for. The State Department hasn’t announced whether fees will change when first-time online applications launch.

Can I renew my US passport online?

Yes, if you’re eligible. Online passport renewal has already been available to eligible Americans since 2024. The new America.gov system expands the government’s move toward online passport services to first-time applicants.