How can I renew my US passport online?
Americans will now be able to renew their passport online. We’ll explain the requirements and how you can do it step by step.
With the aim of speeding up renewal procedures, the US State Department has launched a Beta version of an online application that will allow citizens to renew their passport. According to official information, the processing time ranges from six to eight weeks, meaning that this procedure does not apply to expedited applications or urgent trips.
Requirements to renew your passport online
In order to use the Beta version, you must first make sure you meet the requirements established by the State Department, which are as follows:
- The passport that is being renewed is or was valid for 10 years and you are 25 years or older.
- The passport that you are renewing was issued between 2009 and 2015, or more than 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to apply.
- There will be no change to your name, sex, date or place of birth.
- You will not be traveling internationally for at least 8 weeks from the date you submit your application. Only routine service is available during this limited version, and the time it takes to obtain a passport will be the same as renewing it by mail.
- You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport. A special issue passport (diplomatic, official, service) cannot be renewed online.
- You must be living in the United States (either state or territory). You are not eligible 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, it is not damaged or mutilated and you have not previously reported it as lost or stolen. Please save your most recent passport and do not mail it to us.
- You can pay for your passport with a credit or debit card.
- You can upload a digital passport photo.
- You are aware that the passport you are renewing will be will be canceled after you submit your application and you will not be able to use it for international trips.
How can I renew my US passport online? Step by Step
If you are eligible to renew your passport online, the next step will be to create an account on the MyTravelGov website. Once you have your account, log in session and click on “renew passport”. Since it is a Beta version, the system will only receive limited requests, so there is a possibility that you will not be able to complete your procedure on the day you want.
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During the application stage, you will be required to enter the requested information from your most recent passport and your travel plans. You will then need to upload a digital photograph of your face, sign, and pay all processing fees. Once you have finished with the request, you will receive an email with the status of your pending payment and another with the payment confirmation.
One week after submitting your application, you will need to register for the Online Passport Status System to receive email updates on the status of your application. For more information, visit the official website of the State Department.