The United States Department of State reopened its online passport renewal portal on Wednesday (12), bringing back an experimental service that had not been available for more than a year.
The service, available to a limited number of travelers who meet certain requirements, is part of a beta program designed to speed up the passport renewal process for Americans. For now, the program is only available for routine renewals, not emergency services.
The Department of State website explains that you may not be able to start your application on the day of your choice. The system will open for a limited midday eastern time window each day (starting at 1pm ET) and will close once it reaches a limit for the day.
So, if you are unable to start your application, the Department suggests you try again on another day. If you do not want to wait or do not qualify to renew online, you can also renew by mail.
“During the next several months, we plan to continue to limit the number of applications accepted each day so we can monitor the system’s performance in real time. This beta release during which we are limiting the daily applications is an important and standard part of the software development process”, explains the Department.
Check below if you meet the requirements to renew your passport online:
You can renew online if you meet all these requirements:
• The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older.
• The passport you are renewing was issued between 2009 and 2015, or over 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit your application.
• You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.
• You are not traveling internationally for at least 8 weeks from the date you will submit your application.
• You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport. You cannot renew a special issuance (diplomatic, official, service) passport online.
• You live in the United States (either state or territory). You do not qualify to renew online if you live in a foreign country or have an Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) address.
• You have your passport with you, and it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not previously reported it as lost or stolen. Keep your most recent passport and do not mail it to us.
• You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.
• You can upload a digital passport photo.
• You are aware that the passport you are renewing will be canceled after you submit your application and you cannot use it for international travel.
How long is it taking to get or renew a passport currently?
According to the State Department website:
Routine: 6 to 8 weeks
Expedited: 2 to 3 weeks
Urgent: Must make an appointment and have international travel within 14 calendar days
Source: The Washington Post and State.Tavel.Gov