TRAVEL
How to renew your passport online
A new trial being conducted by the State Department allowing a select number of individuals the chance to get their new passport on the web.
The United States Department of State has introduced an online passport renewal system, allowing eligible citizens to renew their passports digitally.
This streamlined process aims to simplify the renewal process, reducing the need for in-person visits or mail-in applications. At this stage, the number of applications is limited, though the number has not been specified.
“We plan to continue to limit the number of applications accepted each day so we can monitor the system’s performance in real time,” a statement from the State Department said.
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you renew your US passport online.
Firstly, are you eligibile?
There is a pretty extensive list of criteria to qualify:
- 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 the date you will submit your application.
- 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). This also excludes being stationed abroad in the military.
Secondly, how to get your new passport
To begin the process, create a MyTravelGov account by visiting the government website and following the prompts to sign up.
After account creation, the “Renew Passport” button should appear on the homepage’s ‘Welcome to MyTravelGov’ section. Once you have created your account, click on the “Renew Passport” button and select “Start New Application.”
You can save the application for later if needed, but you must complete it within 30 days.
You will need to upload an original, digital photo in .JPEG file format. Ensure the image is clear, in color, and features your face centered against a white background. No hats, glasses, or smiles are permitted. The photo must be a JPEG file with a minimum size of 1200 x 1200pixels.
To complete your application, you must pay all passport fees. Click the “Sign and Pay” button, which will take you to another secure website - pay.gov - where you will pay your passport fees using your credit or debit card or an Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment.
Lastly, tracking your application
After submitting your application, you will receive email updates about the status of your application. These updates will notify you when your application is received, in process, approved, and shipped.
Be sure to check your spam folders for these emails.