Summary

  • The US State Department has launched a new online passport renewal system to save travelers time and hassle.
  • Daily quotas will limit the number of applications accepted to ensure smooth software performance.
  • To renew online, applicants must meet specific requirements and pay standard fees, with a processing time of 6-8 weeks.

The US State Department has revealed a new online passport renewal system, which will save travelers the hassle of mailing in paper passport renewal applications.

A growing program.

The link to renew passports online is now live on the State Department website. However, the number of daily applications will be limited over the next several months as the Department rolls out the beta release of its updated online passport renewal system.

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The online renewal system will open for a limited window at 12:00 Eastern Time each day and close once the daily quota is reached. According to the US State Department, this cap is to ensure the software works smoothly before rolling it out on a larger scale:

“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. ”

Top view of an American passport on white table, with a black pen, computer keyboard, and mouse

Photo: Tatjana Meininger | Shutterstock

Applicants can also begin the application and finish it at a later date as long as it is completed within 30 days of starting.

How to renew your passport online

Confirm you meet the requirements.

Individuals looking to renew online must meet all of the following 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 submitting your application. We will only offer routine service during this limited release, and the time it takes to get a passport will be the same as renewing by mail.
  • 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.

Create an account

Next, one must create a MyTravelGov account, which can be done using the Login.gov platform. As the US government’s official login provider, many people already have an account to access websites such as the Veterans Affairs office.

Start your application

Once the account has been created, users can click the “Renew Your Passport” button on the home page to start the application. Next, enter the personal information as it was printed on the passport being renewed. The passport must be expiring within one year or have been expired less than five years.  

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Confirm and pay

If the system decides the renewal application meets all the requirements outlined above, applicants will be asked to upload a digital photo, which must be in the .JPEG file format. Users will then have to pay the standard passport fee, which is currently set at $130 for the standard passport (passport book), $30 for the passport card, or $160 for both.

Applicants can only renew the product they currently have and cannot use the system to apply for a card or book online at this time.

How long will it take?

According to the Department’s website, the processing time for renewing online is 6-8 weeks, which aligns with the routine application times when applying by mail. It is not yet possible to use the Expedited or Urgent Travel packages online, so anyone with urgent renewal requirements is encouraged to make an appointment at a passport agency or center.

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