The State Department is preparing to let Americans upload passport photos taken with their own phones or computers, a shift that would eliminate a decades-old requirement to visit a pharmacy or photo studio for a headshot.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the change is part of a broader effort to modernize the passport application system and reduce wait times, appointments and the need to print and submit multiple physical photos.
“You should be able to take that picture on that device [a laptop or computer] as opposed to going somewhere,” Rubio said during a July 2 reception in Washington announcing a redesigned “Patriot Passport” to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. “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.”
Under the proposed system, applicants would complete most of the passport application online and use their device’s built-in camera to take a photo that meets State Department standards for size, lighting and background. The image would be submitted through a secure portal, where automated tools would verify it and immediately flag any problems so the applicant could retake it.
The photo-upload feature is not yet operational. Rubio said the full online system, including the self-photo capability, would be rolled out “in a few months when it’s ready.”
The move would significantly alter a process that has long required applicants to obtain standardized photos at pharmacies, drugstores such as CVS or Walgreens, or photography studios. By enabling uploads from personal devices, the State Department aims to cut travel and time costs for applicants, increase convenience for people in rural areas and speed processing by reducing manual photo checks.
Rubio emphasized that applicants who prefer the traditional method would still be able to use it, but the online, self-photo option would become the primary path for most new passport applications once the system is fully launched.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
