TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States has introduced a limited-edition commemorative passport known as the “Patriot Passport” to mark the country’s 250th anniversary of independence.
The special passport has attracted attention because it features an image of President Donald Trump, making him the first sitting U.S. president to appear on an American passport.
The U.S. State Department said it is expanding access to the commemorative passport by making an additional 250,000 copies available nationwide following strong public interest.
But what makes the Patriot Passport different from the standard U.S. passport, and how can Americans apply for one?
What to Know About the Patriot Passport
What Is the Patriot Passport?
The Patriot Passport is a special-edition U.S. passport created to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary.
Although it features custom artwork on the front, back, and inside covers, the passport retains the same security features as regular U.S. passports.
The State Department emphasized that the Patriot Passport is a commemorative document and will not replace the standard U.S. passport.
Trump Portrait Featured in Historic Passport
The commemorative passport includes several designs highlighting U.S. history and national symbols.
One page features Trump’s inaugural portrait at the Resolute Desk alongside text from the Declaration of Independence. Another page displays artwork depicting the Founding Fathers signing the historic document.
The passport also includes an image of Mount Rushmore, featuring former presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
Quotes from several former presidents, including Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Lyndon Johnson, are also featured inside the passport.
How Is It Different From the Regular US Passport?
The Patriot Passport functions like a regular U.S. passport and includes the same security technology used in standard versions.
The main difference is its commemorative design, which was created specifically for the country’s semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary.
The State Department said the special passport is a celebration of American history rather than a replacement for the current passport system.
How Can Americans Get the Patriot Passport?
According to the official website of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, unlike regular passport applications, the Patriot Passport is only available through special in-person appointments.
Americans will not receive the commemorative passport if they:
Apply online
Mail their application
Apply through passport acceptance facilities
Apply at U.S. embassies or consulates abroad
Applicants must instead schedule an appointment at the Washington Passport Agency in Washington, D.C., or attend one of the designated 250th Anniversary commemorative passport events at selected passport offices.
Appointments must be made by calling the State Department’s passport service number.
The State Department has announced application events at passport offices in several locations, including Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Centennial, Colorado, and Stamford, Connecticut.
Additional locations are expected to host similar events in the following weeks.
Where Can Americans Apply for the Patriot Passport?
The limited-edition passport will be available through designated passport agencies and commemorative application events across the United States.
As reported by Forbes, locations offering the Patriot Passport include passport offices in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.
The program will also include application events in Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.
The first application events will take place on Aug. 8 at passport offices in cities including Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Centennial, Colorado, and Stamford, Connecticut.
Additional locations are expected to host similar events in the following weeks.
Why Is the Patriot Passport Controversial?
The passport has attracted attention because it features a sitting president’s portrait on an official government-issued travel document, a first in U.S. history.
The release has also become part of broader discussions surrounding Trump’s efforts to place his name or image on government-related projects and initiatives.
Some social media users previously questioned whether the commemorative design would become the new standard U.S. passport. The State Department clarified that the regular passport remains unchanged.
The Patriot Passport is instead a limited-edition document created to commemorate the United States’ 250 years of independence.
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
