State Department to Pilot Online Passport Applications for First-Time Applicants
The U.S. Department of State is set to launch a pilot program for online passport applications for certain first-time applicants and individuals ineligible for online renewals. This initiative, detailed in a Federal Register document, will commence on November 16, 2026, and conclude on November 20, 2027. The online application will be accessible via America.gov, the federal government's AI-powered chatbot. Initially, the pilot targets U.S. adults who previously held a valid U.S. passport but cannot use the DS-82 renewal process, as well as first-time adult applicants who can prove U.S. citizenship with a Certificate of Naturalization. Applicants will undergo a qualification process on America.gov, verify their identity through Login.gov, upload a passport photo, select delivery options, and record an oath. A passport agent will then review the submitted materials. The department processed approximately 13.9 million DS-11 applications in fiscal year 2025, with the current paper application taking an average...
