Marco Rubio unveils all-new “Flight of the Eagle” U.S. passport; slated for rollout in 2028

The United States is set to introduce a redesigned passport in 2028, featuring an animated-style bald eagle, artwork tracing 250 years of American history and enhanced security features. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also demonstrated a new passport application process that he said citizens could complete entirely from home, as part of the Trump administration’s push to simplify access to government services through its AI-powered America.gov platform.

Rubio showcased the new passport while speaking at President Donald Trump’s America.gov event. The proposed design, called ‘Flight of the Eagle’, features a larger, gold-accented Great Seal on its blue front cover, with ‘United States of America’ repositioned at the top.

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The interior pages will depict major milestones in American history, including the 1776 Revolution, westward expansion, the Wright brothers’ first flight, US Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima and NASA’s Artemis lunar missions.

One of the most distinctive features is a flipbook-style illustration of a bald eagle that appears to flap its wings and take flight as the right-hand pages are turned quickly. The artwork offers a visual journey through the country’s history as the US marks its 250th anniversary.

What changes

Alongside the visual redesign, the US State Department plans to standardise regular passport booklets at 38 pages, replacing the existing choice between 26-page and 52-page versions. The new document will also feature updated security measures intended to strengthen protection against counterfeiting.

Another change concerns delivery. Instead of conventional paper envelopes, the redesigned passports are expected to arrive in premium presentation boxes.

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The new design is scheduled to enter circulation in 2028 and will be issued to eligible citizens applying for passports or renewing existing documents. Americans who already hold valid passports will not need to replace them simply because the new design has been introduced. Existing passports will remain valid until their expiry dates, subject to the usual rules.

How does the new passport application process work?

The application process was also highlighted during Rubio’s September 29 appearance. He said US citizens would be able to complete the process entirely from home, presenting it as part of the administration’s broader effort to make government services easier to access digitally.

The initiative is linked to America.gov, an AI-powered government services platform launched by Trump’s administration. The White House has described the platform as a single digital point of entry intended to streamline access to federal services.

However, the announcement of a home-based process should not be taken to mean that every passport application will automatically qualify for fully online processing. Eligibility requirements and the procedures applicable to individual applications will continue to matter.

How often has the US passport been redesigned?

The latest proposal follows the introduction of a major passport redesign in 2021, after changes to the passport book’s overall format and security features in 2016. The planned 2028 edition represents another update within a relatively short period, combining a new visual identity with changes to security, booklet standardisation and the application experience.

For US passport holders, the key point is that the new design will not, by itself, require an early renewal. For those planning to apply or renew from 2028, the new edition is expected to become the standard passport design as it enters circulation.