2024-09-20 01:30:02
Americans can now renew their passports online, following the official launch of the U.S. Department of State’s online renewal system on Wednesday.
The department, which had initially tested the system in June through a pilot program, announced that it is now fully available to the public. The move is aimed at making passport services more accessible and convenient.
“A significant step forward in ensuring Americans can more easily access passport services. This online alternative is an important example of how we are modernizing government services.,” the Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on X. The new online system is expected to “save time and effort” for applicants and is available 24/7.
Here is a guideline on how to renew your passport online.
What are the requirements to renew your passport online?
The program allows U.S. citizens to renew their passports without needing to mail in their documents, but there are eligibility requirements. Applicants must be renewing a passport that was issued between 2009 and 2015, be at least 25 years old, and meet other specific conditions such as having a passport that is not damaged, lost, or stolen.
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For now, the online renewal option is only available to those living in the United States or its territories. The department noted that individuals traveling within eight weeks, or who need a special issuance passport, cannot use the service.
Create and account and submit your application
To renew a passport online, applicants need to create an account on the MyTravelGov portal and submit their application, including a digital photo and payment by credit or debit card. Passports renewed online will follow the same processing times as those renewed by mail, with routine service taking up to eight weeks.
