Now you can renew your US passport online: How much it costs and how to do it
Preparing documents for your trip is now easier, as the State Department announced adult Americans can now renew passports online. Here’s how to do it.
The State Department has announced adult U.S. citizens can now renew their passport online. The government agency introduced a beta version of the online renewal process in June, and it is now available for Americans to use 24/7.
According to official information, the processing time will continue to range from six to eight weeks, meaning this procedure does not apply to expedited applications or urgent trips.
Three years ago, COVID-19 caused staff shortages which contributed to lengthened processing times, sometimes reaching 18 weeks despite weakened demand. Americans began traveling internationally again in 2023, applying more strain on the passport renewal process. The situation normalized late last year, with processing times back to previous lengths.
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Requirements to renew your passport online
Before attempting to apply for passport renewal online, you must first make sure you meet the requirements established by the State Department, which are as follows:
- The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older.
- The government issued the passport you are renewing 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 for at least 8 weeks from the date you will submit your application. The government will only offer routine service, 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 reported it as lost or stolen. Keep your most recent passport and do not mail it to the government.
- You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.
- You can upload a digital passport photo.
- You are aware that the government will cancel the passport you are renewing after you submit your application. You cannot use it for international travel.
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How to renew your US passport online: Step by step
If you find 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 and click on “renew passport”. You can save your application and finish it later, but you only have 30 days to complete it, after which you will have to start the process all over again.
During the application stage, you will be required to enter the requested information from your most recent passport as well as your travel plans. You will then need to upload a digital photograph of your face, sign, and pay all processing fees.
Here are the amounts you need to pay depending on what you are requesting:
- Passport book: $130
- Passport card: $30
- Passport book and card: $160
Once you have finished filing your 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.