The United States Department of State announced on Wednesday (Sep.18) that Americans who are renewing their passports will now be able to do so online.
“The Department of State is making our new online passport renewal system fully available to the public today, a significant step forward in ensuring that Americans can more easily access passport services. 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”, says the statement.
There are certain qualifications you must match to be able to use the digitized application for passport renewals, including being located in the United States. Passports that have been expired for more than five years are not permitted to be renewed online.
It is not available for the renewal of children’s passports, for first-time passport applicants, for renewal applicants who live outside the United States or for expedited applications.
The department said it estimated that about 5 million Americans would be able to use this service a year. In 2023, it processed 24 million passports, about 40% of which were renewals.
The system will allow renewal applicants to skip the current process, which requires them to print out and send paper applications, photos and a check by mail, and submit their documents, photo, and payment through a secure website, www.Travel.State.Gov/renewonline.
There will be no change to the existing passport processing fees, which are currently $130 for a regular renewal, and processing time will be the same.
Source: AP and State.Gov