The U.S. Department of State will soon allow many Americans to apply for their first passports entirely online, overhauling the long-standing application process.

Travelers have been able to renew passports online for several years, but starting next year, first-time applicants can also use the online system, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at an event last week. Currently, travelers must apply in person at an acceptance facility if they are an adult applying for their first passport, if their last passport was issued more than 15 years ago, or if their last passport was issued when they were under 16.

“And by the end of 2027, our goal is for the vast majority of Americans to be able to apply for a passport or a passport card on America.gov,” Rubio said, adding that the department hopes to “make the process more accessible and easier for Americans. So, whether you live in the middle of a major city or you live in a rural town, you’ll be able to apply from anywhere.”

When applying online, travelers enter their personal information on the State Department’s website, upload a digital passport photo they can take themselves, and pay by credit or debit card. “No printing forms, no drugstore hostage photo… no appointment, no line, no middleman that you’re paying to do something that should be available to you,” Rubio said. “You tell America.gov what you’re trying to do, and it walks you through every single step and tells you exactly what comes next.”

Travelers will then be able to track the status of their passport online in real time, including an estimated delivery date. Currently, routine processing is four to six weeks, while expedited processing takes two to three weeks, per the State Department.

Additionally, Rubio said the State Department is redesigning the U.S. passport for 2028, adding a more prominent Great Seal eagle design to the front and placing the words “United States of America” at the top. The eagle design will also be featured on the inside, giving it the illusion of flying through the book as you flip the pages.

“American citizenship is a sacred thing, and the symbols and documents that uphold it should reflect that,” Rubio said. “And that’s precisely what the new United States passport will do.”

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We don’t have to worry about renewing our passports until the end of 2032 since they expire in 2033. That’s still several years away, but we’re already looking forward to an even easier online renewal process by then. As technology continues to advance, we expect passport renewal to become increasingly convenient, saving time and reducing the hassles of traditional applications.

Many countries are moving toward online services that let citizens complete at least some steps of applying for or renewing their passports without unnecessary trips to government offices. These improvements are especially helpful for people who travel frequently or live outside their home country for extended periods, as we do. Reliable online services can make a significant difference when managing the many details of our ongoing worldwide travels.

Of course, we’ll have to wait and see what options are available when our renewal date finally arrives. By then, we hope the process will be even more streamlined, letting us handle everything online with minimal effort. For now, we’re grateful that our current passports have plenty of time left before we’ll need to deal with renewals again. One less thing to think about as we continue enjoying our lives traveling the world!

Today and tomorrow, we’re staying in and enjoying a couple of quiet days at home. The laundry is done and put away, our dinners are planned, and the house is tidy and organized. It always feels good when everything is taken care of, leaving us free to relax and enjoy our time at home without worrying about chores still left to do.

So far, I’ve completed half of my daily exercise routine and will finish the rest after uploading today’s post. I’m doing my best to stay consistent with my exercise, even if I have to take it slowly and work within my limitations. At this stage of our lives, we know how important it is to do what we can to maintain our health and mobility as we continue traveling the world.

Sometimes, staying home for a couple of days is just what we need. We can enjoy our comfortable surroundings, prepare our planned meals, and take things as they come without rushing off anywhere. With everything in order, we’re looking forward to a peaceful couple of days at home in the bush, enjoying the wildlife that comes to call. It is a weekend with many tourists here, and no doubt, we’ll see even more wildlife by tomorrow when they’ve left the park.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today,  October 11, 2016: