The U.S. Department of State announced on Wednesday (September 18) that Americans renewing their passports can now complete the entire process online.
“The Department of State is making our new online passport renewal system fully available to the public today (Sep. 18), a significant step to ensure that Americans can access passport services more easily. Instead of printing a paper application and mailing it with a check, Americans can now renew their passports through a secure process that will save time and effort,” the statement says.
There are certain qualifications you must meet to use the digitized version of the forms for passport renewals, including being located in the United States. Passports that expired more than five years ago cannot be renewed online.
The system is also not available for renewing children’s passports, for those applying for a passport for the first time, for renewal applicants living outside the United States, or for emergency requests.
The Department said it estimates that about 5 million Americans could use this service each year. In 2023, it processed 24 million passports, about 40% of which were renewals.
The system will allow renewal applicants to skip a step in the current process, which requires them to print and mail paper applications, photos, and a check, and submit their documents, photos, and payment through a secure website, www.Travel.State.Gov/renewonline.
There will be no changes to the existing passport processing fees, which are currently $130 for a regular renewal, and the processing time will remain the same.
Source: AP and State.Gov