All eligible US citizens can now renew their passports online. Here’s how it works

The U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday that its online passport renewal system is now “fully available” to all citizens who want to renew their U.S. passports. The system launched on June 12, 2024, as a beta program that opened each day at 1 p.m. ET and closed when it reached a certain number of applicants.

Now, anyone with an expired U.S. passport issued in the last 15 years can renew it online. The Department of State estimates that the online application will take about 40 minutes, but if you have all your documents and payment information, you can probably complete it in half that time. The biggest catch is that you’ll need a MyTravelGov account to apply online—we’ll explain more below.

Find out everything you need to know about the new online US passport renewals, including who is eligible and how you can apply. For more travel tips, check out the best days and times to get cheap flights or the worst airlines for flight delays and cancellations.

How does the US online passport renewal system work?

Most U.S. citizens now renew their passports by printing and completing Form DS-82, then mailing that form along with a new passport photo and the renewal fee in the form of a check or money order. Instead, the online passport renewal system uses a website form and a payment system that allows you to use credit cards, debit cards, or online ACH transfers.

Renewing your passport online doesn’t mean you’ll get it any sooner than usual, though. The State Department is sticking to its “standard service” for passport renewals, whether they’re done online or by mail. That means you’ll get your new passport within six to eight weeks, regardless of how you apply. If you need your passport sooner, you’ll need to apply by mail and pay an additional $60 for expedited processing.

Who can renew their US passport online now?

The most important qualifying factors for online passport renewal are:

• You are at least 25 years old.
• You live in the USA (state or territory).
• Your current passport is or was valid for 10 years.
• Your current passport must be valid for at least 9 years and was issued within the last 15 years (2009-2015).
• You still have your current passport, which is not damaged or destroyed.

In addition to the main eligibility requirements, the Department of State provides a list of additional restrictions for online renewals:

• Only regular passports can be renewed online, not “special issue” passports (e.g. diplomatic, official or service passports).
• The name, gender, place of birth or date of birth cannot be changed on the previous passport.
• You must be able to pay for your renewal online using a credit card, debit card, or ACH transfer.
• You must be able to upload a new passport photo.
• You cannot travel abroad for eight weeks from the date you submit your online renewal application.

The last restriction is important because your current passport, if still valid, will be immediately canceled once your online renewal application is accepted.

If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for online passport renewal, you will need to renew your passport by mail or in person at a passport agency.

If I meet the criteria, how can I renew my US passport online?

Before you can apply to renew your passport online, you must create a MyTravelGov account, which uses the government’s login.gov system. If you do not already have a login.gov account, you can visit the MyTravelGov website, click the blue button Log in button in the upper right corner, then click Create an account.

Next, you’ll need to enter your email address and choose a language: login.gov is available in English, Spanish, and French. Once you’ve submitted your email address, you’ll need to verify it by clicking a link in the login.gov email, then choose a password and your preferred form of multi-factor authentication.

Next, you need to provide personal information for your account, at least your first and last name. Once you’re done, you should be able to access the online passport renewal page. Click the blue Start button at the bottom of the page to begin the application. The Department of State estimates that the online application process will take about 40 minutes.

To apply for passport renewal online, you will need the following documents:

• Your current U.S. passport.
• Digital passport photo.
• Payment – ​​by credit card, debit card, or your bank’s account number for an ACH transfer.

In the first part of the application, you will enter information about your current passport, your name and surname, and whether you want a passport book, passport card or both. Then you will upload a digital passport photo and finally your payment information.

MyTravelGov will send you two verification emails after you submit your renewal application: The first will confirm your pending payment, and the second will confirm that your payment has been received. You can sign up for email updates about your passport using the Department of State’s online passport status system a week after you submit your application. You should expect to receive your new passport in the mail within six to eight weeks.

Can I also renew US passport cards online?

Passport cards are items that look very similar to U.S. driver’s licenses and can be kept in your wallet. They allow you to travel from the U.S. by land or sea to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. They are not valid for any international air travel.

You can renew both passport booklets and cards online. Basically, you can renew any US passport document you currently have. If you have an old passport booklet and a passport card, you can renew both at the same time. If you have one or the other, you can renew only that specific document.