Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a redesigned U.S. passport on Sept. 29, 2026, featuring “United States of America” across the top of its cover and a larger, more prominent Great Seal. Rubio called it the 2028 U.S. passport. The country’s name now sits above the gold-toned seal.
The Cover Design
The Great Seal on the front is larger, more prominent and, as Rubio put it, “more gold.” The words “United States of America” appear at the top. Those are the redesign’s central elements, bringing the national name and seal together on the passport’s exterior.
Inside, Rubio said, the eagle appears to fly as holders flip through the pages. He tied the cover’s Great Seal to an animated effect in the document: as pages turn, the eagle moves. Alisa Shodiyev Kaff made the video of the unveiling.
Rubio presented the document as the 2028 U.S. passport. The announcement named the passport for 2028, while the unveiling took place on Sept. 29, 2026. It focused on the document’s appearance: the words’ placement on the cover, the seal’s size and color, and the eagle effect inside.
Rubio’s Remarks
“There it is. It looks even better in person,” Rubio said. Applause followed. He then described the country’s name and the Great Seal: “This is the 2028 U.S. passport. The words United States of America are now exactly where they belong: first, right on top. And the great seal is larger, it’s more prominent. It’s more gold.”
Rubio also pointed to the pages: “Watch the eagle as you flip through the pages. It flies. Now, I think that’s pretty good.” His remarks covered the visual details he highlighted: the name at the top, the more prominent seal, its gold appearance and the eagle moving as pages turn.
Applause followed Rubio’s opening comment that the design looked better in person. In the same remarks, he called it the 2028 U.S. passport and pointed to “United States of America” on the cover. That’s how he described its identity and visual features.
The reported announcement gives design details, not information about a broader policy change. It focuses on the passport’s cover and pages: the country’s name at the top, a larger, more prominent Great Seal, more gold, and an eagle that appears to fly as holders turn the pages. Those features formed the substance of Rubio’s presentation.