Anyone can now renew US passports online. Here’s how to do it

After three months of beta testing the online U.S. passport renewal system, the Department of State removed all restrictions and made the program available to all eligible U.S. citizens on Wednesday, September 18. Previously, applications opened at 1 p.m. EST and closed after a certain number of people had applied each day.

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

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

How can I renew my US passport online?

Most U.S. citizens currently renew their passports by printing and completing Form DS-82, then mailing it 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 an online form and payment system that allows you to use credit cards, debit cards, or ACH transfers online.

However, renewing your passport online does not mean that you will receive it earlier than usual. The Department of State is sticking with its “routine service” for renewing passports, both online and by mail. This means you’ll receive your new passport within six to eight weeks, regardless of how you apply. If you need your passport sooner, you must apply by mail and pay $60 more for expedited service.

Who can renew their US passport online?

The most important eligibility factors for online passport renewal are:

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

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

• You can only renew regular passports online, not “special issue” passports (such as diplomatic, official or service passports).
• You cannot change your name, gender, place of birth or date of birth from your 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 after submitting your extension application online.

This last restriction is important because your existing passport, if still valid, will be immediately canceled as soon as your online renewal application is accepted.

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

Here are the steps you need to follow to renew your 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 don’t already have a login.gov account, you can visit the MyTravelGov website by clicking blue Log in in the upper right corner, then click Create an account.

Then you need to enter your email address and select your 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 the link in the email from login.gov, after which you’ll choose a password and your preferred form of multi-factor authentication.

You will then need to provide personal information about your account, at least your name and surname. Once completed, you should be able to access the online passport renewal page. Hit the blue one Start button at the bottom of the page to start the application. The Department of State estimates that the online application process will take approximately 40 minutes.

To start your online passport renewal application, you will need the following:

• Your existing US passport.
• Digital passport photo.
• Payment – ​​credit card, debit card or bank number and account number for ACH transfer.

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

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

Can I renew my US passport card online?

Passport cards are items resembling US driver’s licenses that you can carry in your wallet. They enable travel from the USA by land or sea to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean countries. They do not apply to any international air travel.

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