State Department Proposes Single 38-Page U.S. Passport Book
Published Apr 20, 2026
The U.S. Department of State has announced plans to replace the current 26-page and 50-page passport books with a single 38-page book, to be introduced with the next passport redesign expected around 2028. The change is currently proposed and open for public comment, not yet in effect.
Key points
- U.S. passports are currently issued in two sizes: 26 pages and 50 pages.
- The Department plans to move to a single 38-page book with the next Series B passport redesign, expected in 2028.
- The 12-page Emergency Passport will not be affected by this change.
- About 92 percent of applicants currently receive the 26-page book, who will gain more visa pages under the new single format.
- Frequent travelers, U.S. citizens living abroad, and special-issuance passport holders who use the 50-page book may need to renew more often once that option is discontinued.
- This is a proposed change; public comments are accepted through June 22, 2026.
Who is affected
All U.S. passport holders, especially frequent international travelers, U.S. citizens residing abroad, and special-issuance passport recipients.
What to do
Those with concerns can submit comments by June 22, 2026 at www.Regulations.gov under Docket Number DOS-2026-0496.
Full text
The complete official text was archived on this site on 2026-10-13. It stays available here even if the source link changes or is removed.
Document Headings
Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following:
the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to
the agency docket number / agency internal file number
the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions
See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details.
Department of State
[Public Notice: 12997]
ACTION:
Notice.
SUMMARY:
The U.S. Department of State currently issues two passport book sizes—a 26-page book and a 50-page book. A determination was made to shift ( printed page 21071) the U.S. passport book to a single-sized, 38-page passport book, with the release of the next redesign.
DATES:
Submit comments by June 22, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
You may submit comments by the following method: Comment on this notice by going to www.Regulations.gov. You can search for the document by entering “Docket Number: “DOS-2026-0496” in the Search field. Then click the “Comment Now” button and complete the comment form.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amber Long, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Passport Services, Modernization and Systems Liaison, tel.: (202) 485-6520, email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Currently, the Next Generation Passport (NGP) is available in 26-page and 50-page book sizes. Previously, the legacy ePassport was available in a 28-page and 52-page book. The U.S passport Series B is being redesigned for an anticipated rollout in 2028, and this will include a shift to a single-sized book with 38 pages. All passport book types will change with the exception of the Emergency Passport, which will remain a 12-page book.
In 2024, a feasibility study was conducted on the impacts of moving to a single sized passport book. The results of the study determined a 38-page book would increase efficiencies and reduce waste within the production of the passport at the Government Publishing Office (GPO) and within the issuance process at the U.S. Department of State. On average, 92 percent of customers applying for a passport book request the 26-page book. Of the 8 percent of customers receiving the 50-page book, most do so due to a policy practice to issue 50-page books to special-issuance and overseas applicants. In other words, while some frequent international travelers, U.S. citizens residing abroad, and special-issuance passport holders will need to renew more frequently once the 50-page option becomes unavailable, the Department expects those applicants to make up a small percentage of all passport applicants. Switching to a single-sized, 38-page book will allow more visa pages for the majority of applicants. Planned enhancements to the Department's Online Passport Renewal (OPR) platform that will allow overseas applicants to renew their passports online are also expected to introduce new efficiencies for those customers and may mitigate this burden.
The Department seeks input from stakeholders on the potential burdens of eliminating the 50-page book as an option. The Department appreciates and values all feedback and will give due consideration to the comments received. However, at this time, the Department does not plan to respond to the comments in the Federal Register .
Matthew D. Pierce,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Passport Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2026-07670 Filed 4-17-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-06-P
Original title: United States Passports Moving to Single-Sized Passport Book
Read the official source ↗ Archived copy (if the original is removed)
Ask how this affects your case
Read the official source ↗ Archived copy (if the original is removed)
This summary was produced with AI from the official announcement. Only the official source is authoritative.