New passport system will make taking at-home photos easier
Source: USA Today
Updated July 8, 2026, 9:57 p.m. ET
Getting and renewing your passport might get just a little bit easier, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
On July 2, 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 Department of State's strict requirements. Rubio said the new system will use real-time, built-in facial recognition 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."
Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/07/08/us-passport-take-your-own-photo/90852018007/
= new reply since forum marked as read
The Passport office was open but limping along slowly. So I paid the $100 rush fee and I got my passport in about 2 weeks plus shipping time. They don't have those Covid delays any more, so normal turnaround time (no rush fee) is even better than that.
I agree that Priority Mail is the best way to send and receive!
