A practical path to a digital U.S. passport.
Singapore, Finland, and Croatia have proven digital travel credentials work at scale. The United States already has the infrastructure — 7.3 million passports were issued through the online renewal system in its first year. The next step is straightforward: deliver a signed credential to the citizen's phone.
The opportunity
The State Department issues over 24 million passports a year at ~$130 each, and replaces 300,000+ lost or stolen books. Consular offices spend significant resources on emergency replacements. A digital credential eliminates the physical loss problem entirely, while halving issuance cost and increasing citizen adoption.
Proven internationally
Singapore eliminated passport checks at all four Changi terminals in 2024, cutting average screening from 25 seconds to 10. Finland and Croatia ran the first cross-border DTC pilot with average crossings under 8 seconds. The standards are mature; the U.S. is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave.
Why now
7.3 million Americans renewed online in the program's first year, with strong public reception. Apple and Google Wallet already issue state mobile driver's licenses. TSA accepts digital IDs at 250+ checkpoints. The infrastructure, public trust, and partner ecosystem are aligned for the first time.
Cost & impact
Estimated $180M build cost over 36 months, recouped within 5 years through reduced issuance and consular load. Projected throughput gains alone save travelers an estimated 12 million hours annually.
Ask
A 12-month funded pilot with CBP at three international airports, covering 100,000 enrolled citizens. We deliver a working production-ready system at the end of Phase 1.
Next step
Schedule a 30-minute working session with the SecureID team and a working demo of the citizen and admin systems.