Short version: Renew online or by mail, or apply at a post office, a county clerk’s office or a regional passport agency outside Washington, DC. Any of those routes gets you the standard U.S. passport design. The commemorative edition with President Trump’s portrait is a limited run tied to in-person service at the Washington, DC passport agency. Most applicants never come near it.
Below is what the commemorative passport actually is and how each application route works. We also cover current fees and timing, the problems that can hold up any passport, and what Florida applicants should know about the Miami Passport Agency.
How to avoid getting a passport with Trump’s picture
- Online renewal: standard design.
- Renewal by mail (Form DS-82): standard design.
- First-time or in-person application at an acceptance facility (post office, clerk of court, library): standard design.
- Regional passport agencies outside DC, including Miami: standard design.
- In-person appointment at the Washington, DC passport agency: this is the only place the commemorative edition is offered. If you have an appointment there, say clearly that you want the standard book.
The portrait is printed on an interior page, not the cover. The commemorative book is a fully valid U.S. passport, and it costs nothing extra. Whichever design you get, you pay the same fees and can travel on it the same way.
Reports from the announcement disagree on one point. Some describe the commemorative design as the default for in-person applicants at the DC agency. Others say you get it only if you ask for it. If you’re applying in DC, confirm with the State Department (travel.state.gov or 1-877-487-2778) before your appointment. We last checked this in October 2026.
What the commemorative passport is
The State Department announced the edition in late April 2026 to mark America’s 250th anniversary. Issuance began July 6. The design puts a portrait of the president on an interior page, framed by text from the Declaration of Independence, along with a gold signature.
Coverage at launch put the run at roughly 25,000 to 30,000 books. The U.S. issues more than 20 million passports a year, so that is a tiny fraction. None of the major reports said whether the run has since run out or been extended, which is another reason to check with the agency if you’re applying in DC.
Requirements for a standard U.S. passport
Renewal vs. first passport
You can renew with Form DS-82 (by mail) or online if all of these are true:
- Your most recent passport was issued when you were 16 or older.
- It was issued within the last 15 years.
- It’s undamaged and in your possession.
- Your name is the same, or you can document the change with a marriage certificate or court order.
Everyone else applies in person with Form DS-11. That includes first-time applicants, children under 16, and anyone whose old passport was lost, stolen, damaged or issued more than 15 years ago.
What you’ll need
- Proof of citizenship: a certified U.S. birth certificate, a naturalization certificate, or your previous passport. Hospital birth records and photocopies are not accepted.
- Photo ID, plus a photocopy of the front and back for DS-11 applications.
- One passport photo: 2×2 inches, taken within the last six months, on a plain white background, with no glasses.
- Fees: paid as two separate payments for DS-11 (more on that below).
What can stop you from getting a US passport
The design question is easy. These are the things that actually stop applications:
- Child support arrears over $2,500, certified by your state to HHS. You’ll be denied until the arrears are paid or a payment arrangement is reported.
- Seriously delinquent federal tax debt certified by the IRS. The threshold is indexed every year and is currently in the low-$60,000s, including penalties and interest.
- Federal felony drug convictions involving international travel or crossing a border, plus active federal warrants, certain court orders, or conditions of probation or parole.
- An unpaid repatriation or emergency loan owed to the State Department.
- Paperwork problems: a name mismatch between your ID and citizenship document, a missing parent’s consent for a minor, or an unsigned form. These are the most common reasons we see applications put on hold.
- A rejected photo. Shadows, glare, a selfie crop or an off-white background will get the photo bounced.
Step-by-step: how to get a regular US passport instead of the commemorative one
- Pick your route. If you qualify to renew, online is the simplest option. It’s for routine service only, so don’t use it if you’re traveling within about six weeks.
- Renewing by mail? Complete the DS-82 and attach your old passport, photo and check. Mail it to the address on the form. Use a trackable service.
- Applying in person? Book an appointment at an acceptance facility. Bring an unsigned DS-11 because you sign it in front of the agent. Your application is mailed to a processing center, and you get the standard design.
- Traveling within 14 days? Call 1-877-487-2778 or use the online scheduler to book a passport agency appointment. Choose an agency outside DC if you can. For Florida, that’s Miami.
- If DC is your only option, call ahead to confirm how design selection works. At the counter, say you want the standard version before your application is processed.
- Track your status at passportstatus.state.gov. It can take up to two weeks after you mail your application before it shows up.
Costs and timing
The commemorative edition doesn’t change any fees. Here is what an adult passport book costs:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Adult passport book (DS-11 or DS-82) | $130 |
| Acceptance fee (DS-11 only, paid to the facility) | $35 |
| Minor passport book (under 16) | $100 + $35 acceptance |
| Passport card (add-on or standalone) | $30 adult / $15 minor |
| Expedited service | $60 |
| 1–2 day return delivery | $22.05 |
A first-time adult applicant who wants it fast pays about $247 ($130 + $35 + $60 + $22.05), plus photo and outbound postage.
Timing: Routine processing has recently run about 4–6 weeks, and expedited about 2–3 weeks. Neither estimate includes mailing time, which can add up to two weeks each way. Check travel.state.gov for current numbers, because they shift with the season. Spring and early summer are the slowest.
Check the rules for where you’re going, too. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your arrival date. If yours expires within nine months, renew now.
Florida note: Miami Passport Agency and local options
Florida applicants have no reason to go through the DC office. For everyday applications, most counties have plenty of acceptance facilities:
- Clerk of Court offices in many counties, including Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, Duval and Palm Beach. Many take appointments online and some take photos on site.
- USPS post offices. Use the USPS locator, because not every branch accepts applications.
- Some public libraries, which often have more open appointments than post offices.
The Miami Passport Agency (51 SW First Avenue) is appointment-only. You need proof of international travel within 14 days, or within 28 days if you also need a foreign visa. It issues the standard design. Appointments go fast during spring break and summer, so call early in the morning.
One practical tip: acceptance facilities close on federal holidays. If you’re planning around a long weekend, check our guide to what’s closed for the 4th of July so you don’t show up to a locked door.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every new passport carries the portrait. It doesn’t. Only a small run from one office does.
- Booking a DC appointment you don’t need. If you aren’t traveling within 14 days, you don’t belong at an agency at all. Use the mail or an acceptance facility.
- Signing the DS-11 at home. The agent has to watch you sign it. Signing early means filling out a new form.
- Combining DS-11 fees into one payment. The $130 goes to the State Department and the $35 to the facility, as separate payments.
- Using a drugstore photo with shadows. Retake it rather than risk a weeks-long hold.
- Cutting it close. Allow at least 10–12 weeks for routine service, counting mailing time.
Flying soon? For the airport side of the trip, see our Florida flyer’s guide to Drew Pearson’s Sports 88 at DFW. We also cover the latest from the American Airlines runway incident. You can find more in our Travel section.
FAQs
Can I opt out of the Trump passport?
Yes. Renewing online or by mail, or applying at an acceptance facility or any regional agency outside Washington, DC, gets you the standard design automatically. If you have an in-person appointment at the DC agency, ask for the standard book and confirm the process with the State Department first.
Will all new US passports have Trump’s picture?
No. The commemorative edition is a limited run of roughly 25,000 to 30,000 books offered through the Washington, DC passport agency. Standard passports are still issued to almost everyone else.
Does the Trump passport cost extra?
No. Fees are the same for both designs: $130 for an adult book, plus a $35 acceptance fee for first-time applicants, and optional $60 expedited service and $22.05 for 1–2 day delivery.
Is the Trump passport valid for international travel?
Yes. It is a fully valid U.S. passport. The portrait is on an interior page, and the cover, data page and security features work like any other passport book.
What can stop you from getting a US passport?
The most common blockers are child support arrears over $2,500, seriously delinquent federal tax debt certified by the IRS, certain federal drug convictions, active warrants or court orders, unpaid State Department loans, and paperwork problems such as name mismatches or rejected photos.
Is the Trump passport still available?
As of October 2026, no major source had confirmed whether the commemorative run has run out. If you’re applying at the DC agency, call 1-877-487-2778 or check travel.state.gov for current availability.
