New system to simplify applying for passports
By: Fernando Cervantes Jr
USA Today
..... Getting and renewing a passport might get just a little bit easier, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
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On July 2, [2026] Rubio said the State Department is developing a more streamlined system that would allow Americans to more easily take and upload passport photos using their phones or computers.
..... Americans can already upload passport photos taken from their phones and computers; however, they must meet the State Department's strict requirements.
..... Rubio said the new system will use real-time, built-in facial recognizability technology to make the process even quicker.
..... "You should be able to take that picture on that device as opposed to going somewhere. Now, the CVS people, of course, hate this, and the Walgreens and all those other places," Rubio said. "But 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."
.....In addition to easing the process of taking and submitting passport photos from home, Rubio outlined plans to allow passport applicants to complete nearly the entire precess Online.
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"Now beyond that, I would say that we are also looking at some technological changes, which we'll be more fully able to announce over the coming months, where it's going to be a lot easier to get a passport in terms of the dynamics of it," Rubio said. "You'll actually be able to go Online."
..... Rubio's comments came during a reception launching a commemorative passport marking the nation's 250th anniversary. Only 25,000 of the limited-editon passport are being released, according to the State Department, and they were first made available July 6. [2026]
..... The new commemorative passports have been shadowed by controversy after President Donald Trump unveiled a rendering of them in late June. [2026]
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The new passport shared by Trump featured an image of him standing over the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office.
..... Contributing: Saman Shafiq, USA Today