Photo: Alamy
The U.S. State Department recently lauded the launch of a fun new commemorative design for U.S. passports just in time for America’s 250th anniversary.
During a reception celebrating the launch of the limited-edition “Patriot Passport” for the semiquincentennial celebration, Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the commemorative design, as well as future changes for processing passport applications.
Some of the changes include mailing U.S. citizens their passports in a “fancy box” that will include a certificate “which is like a certificate of authenticity like we do with watches and stuff like that and jewelry,” Rubio said. “But again, it’s something that we think a lot of people will tremendously value.”
Rubio said that the concept of mailing the passport in nicer shipping material was something that was “not just for the 250, but our goal moving forward is to make sure that everyone who applies for a passport and receives it in the mail will receive it in this box.”
Rubio said that future passports may also include QR codes that will take users to “key moments in American history, which obviously will be replenished and added,” he continued.
In terms of technological changes to America’s passport system, Rubio foreshadowed some upcoming tweaks. He said that most of the passport application process will be moved online, and that rather than having to take a passport photo, for example, at a place like “CVS” or “Walgreens,” Americans will be able to use their own devices’ cameras.
“I know, it’s shocking,” Rubio joked. “But they have cameras. They have videos that people use. You should be able to take that picture on that device as opposed to going somewhere.”
Rubio also alluded to the future use of facial ID recognition technology in the passport program.
“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, [and] verify the facial ID,” he explained. “…You’ll be able to do that. 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.”
The limited-edition Patriot Passports are being issued at the Washington Passport Agency in Washington, D.C., and will only be available as long as supplies last, according to the U.S State Department.