Americans looking to avoid having President Trump’s face plastered across their first or renewed passport may have a slim window to apply. New details have emerged about the latest design, although the State Department has not confirmed that the president’s image will be on the final version.
During the September 29 State Department livestream held to launch America.gov, a new government services website, Secretary of State Marco Rubio showed a grid of passport pages. In the top left corner of the grid, a portrait of President Donald Trump is displayed among the pages of the redesigned passport. The design in question is supposed to replace the standard U.S. passport starting in 2028, according to Forbes and a new report from Travel Noire.
Until now, Americans hoping to avoid Trump’s face in their passport had a simple solution: A commemorative passport released this summer in honor of America’s 250th anniversary featuring Trump’s image was available only to those who specifically requested it. Because adult passports are for a duration of 10 years, one issued within the next year could travel with its holder well into the 2030s and include Trump’s image. There may be a way around it, but individuals have to act quickly and with intentional planning.
The new 2028 passport, which will be known as the “Flight of the Eagle” per Senator Rubio, is a single 38-page book with artwork that journeys through 250 years of American history. Flipping the pages quickly makes a bald eagle appear to fly above the historical scenes, and somewhere in the book, Trump’s face allegedly appears.
While the State Department is mum on the final design, David Alwadish, founder and CEO of the passport and visa service ItsEasy.com, told Forbes the Trump image in Rubio’s preview presented during the livestream looks like a fixed feature of the 2028 book. He does caution that those who do not prefer the new design “probably have a narrow window to apply,” he said. The government has not confirmed whether every passport issued after a set date will feature the new design.
There is a way to renew your passport before 2028, when the new design is scheduled to take effect, but there are restrictions. For mail-in orders, those eligible and applying for a renewal must have a 10-year passport issued within the past 15 years, when they were at least 16 of age at the time of applying for their current passport. The current passport cannot be damaged and never reported lost or stolen. Applicants must submit Form DS-82, their current passport, a photograph following the photo guidelines, and the $130 renewal fee. Anyone applying with a name change must also provide supporting documentation.
Online applicants have even tighter boundaries. Applicants must be at least 25 and hold a passport expiring within one year or expired less than five years ago. Those with international travel planned for at least six weeks within cannot apply online, and online renewals are not eligible for expedited delivery. Processing and shipping can take up to four weeks, with expedited delivery up to three weeks.
Those traveling within 14 days can request an urgent passport appointment at an in-person agency. If any online applicants’ travel plans change, they can call 877-487-2778.
