One of the more annoying requirements to getting a first-time U.S. passport may soon be a thing of the past.
During a recent reception at the Department of State, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a series of changes to all passports—not just the recently launched 250th anniversary commemorative ones featuring Donald Trump’s face—in the coming months.
“You’ll be able to take your picture from [your] device and be able to have it in real time, through our security system, verify the facial ID,” said Rubio. “You’ll be able to do it online entirely, for the most part, with all the right numbers. They’ll be able to verify it for you, and you should be able to get it much sooner.”
Currently, new passport applicants must mail in a high-resolution 2 x 2 inch (51 x 51 mm) color photo printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers approved photos for $15, and nationwide retailers like CVS and Walgreens offer them for $16.99 to $17.99.
That’s not a budget-busting expense, but compiled on top of the current $130 passport book fee and $35 facility acceptance fee, it can add up. There’s also the hassle of reserving an appointment and flagging down a weary retail worker to snap the picture.
“Now, the CVS people, of course, hate this, and the Walgreens and all those other places,” said Rubio.
Walgreens did not immediately responded for comment, but a spokesperson for CVS said: “We support efforts to streamline the passport photo process and improve convenience for consumers. At the same time, we recognize that many Americans will continue to need in-person assistance when applying for or renewing a passport.”
But you know who probably doesn’t hate the proposed change? The actual employees at Walgreens and CVS, who we’re sure wouldn’t mind having one less obligation to multitask alongside unlocking deodorant, running cash registers, and stocking inventory.
Allowing passport applicants to submit digital photos seems pragmatic and achievable to us, namely because the State Department already allows passport holders to do it for renewal, including using a smartphone.
Hopefully, the not-yet-formally-announced change will cut down on passport turnaround times, which are currently averaging 8 to 10 weeks.
Other announced changes
Alongside the welcomed photo process change, Rubio announced two other (arguably more dubious) passport changes: fancier delivery and QR code history lessons.
Instead of an envelope, the Secretary’s goal is have passports be delivered in a book-sized designer cardboard box, complete with a collectable certificate of authenticity.
“When you open this passport box, you will find that there is a certificate attached to it, which is like a certificate of authenticity like we do with watches and stuff like that and jewelry,” said Rubio.
Mind you, a passport book is itself a certificate of authenticity, so that’s odd, but it will be a pretty (albeit wasteful) bit of packaging.
The Secretary also teased adding QR codes to passport pages in order to teach holders about key moments in U.S. history, like NASA’s recent Artemis II flight.
“What we’re thinking is that because flights are so often delayed, people are going to be bored out of their minds—and they can go on the QR code and it will pull up these key moments in American history, which obviously will continue to be replenished and added,” said Rubio.
Given this administration’s other recent stabs at historical storytelling, though—like attempting to censor Smithsonian displays and installing the deeply-partisan White House “Presidential Walk of Fame” plaques—we’re reserving judgment until we see the actual content.
