My passport expires in six months. Since I have a trip planned for January and no time to waste, I was thrilled to discover the US State Department’s brand-new system for online passport renewals. It launched just 12 days ago. Last week I gave it a shot and discovered it’s incredibly quick and easy to renew a passport online.
Eligibility Requirements to Renew a Passport Online
Online passport renewal is available only to travelers who meet all the following requirements:
1. The passport you’re renewing is/was valid for 10 years, and you are 25 or older.
2. The passport you’re renewing was issued between 2009 and 2015— or more than 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit your application.
3. You’re not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.
4. Your next international trip is at least 8 weeks from the date you’ll submit your application. (Current processing time is 6-8 weeks exclusive of mailing, and expedited service is not available for online passport renewals.)
5. You’re applying for a regular tourist passport— not a diplomatic, official, or service passport.
6. You live in a US state or territory. Online passport renewals are not permitted if you live in a foreign country or have an APO or FPO address.
7. To renew a passport online, you must have physical possession of your existing passport. It cannot be damaged, mutilated, or reported lost/ stolen.
8. You’re able to pay the renewal fee (typically $130) with a credit or debit card.
9. You can upload a digital passport photo.
Note you can renew passport books and passport cards online. (A passport card is a plastic, wallet-sized passport valid only for travel by land and sea between the USA and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and Caribbean countries.)
Find more details at the State Department’s website.
Steps to Start Your Online Passport Renewal
The first step to renew a passport online is creating an account here. On the new page, click on “Renew Your Passport” and then follow the prompts. You can save your incomplete application and return to it later. Just be sure to finish the application within 30 days, or you’ll have to start over.
The online application is fairly intuitive and easy to navigate. Just pay close attention to the detailed instructions to avoid errors and the associated delays. It took me about 20-30 minutes from start to finish.
Where to Get Digital Passport Photos
Digital photos must be in .JPEG format. Selfies, scans, or digital photos of print pictures are not allowed. Click here for the detailed requirements.
I was surprised to learn digital passport photos are widely available from retailers, including Walgreen’s, Staples, and the UPS Store. I chose my local CVS pharmacy, which guaranteed compliance with State Department requirements and sent the pics to my email before I got home.
Note you can have a friend or relative take your photo at home, too. But be sure you adhere strictly to the photo requirements.
Track the Status of Your Online Passport Renewal
Complete the application, upload your photo, and pay the fee. At the end of the process, you can register for email updates about the status of your application and new passport to ensure everything progresses smoothly.
Keep Your Old Passport
You do not have to return your existing passport. Hang onto it and be proud of all those immigration stamps you collected. But once you submit the application to renew a passport online, the existing passport is invalid for international travel.
Not Eligible for Online Passport Renewal?
If you’re not eligible to renew a passport online, see my article about how to renew by email or in person. It includes a list of all the new places— in addition to post offices— you can request a passport in person.
Remember, if your next trip is less than 8 weeks away, you’re ineligible for online passport renewal. Again, you’ll have to apply by mail or in person. You can renew by mail in 3-8 weeks by requesting expedited service. In-person renewals can be done in less than 3 weeks. Learn more here.
Final Thoughts
It’s only been a week since I submitted my application for online passport renewal. So it remains to be seen whether the State Department meets the 6-8 week processing timeline. I’ll keep you posted. But one thing is sure— this was the easiest and quickest passport renewal process I’ve ever completed! (UPDATE: My new passport shipped by Priority Mail just 8 calendar days after I submitted my online application!)
Here’s another hot tip for anyone arriving in the U.S. from abroad— a FREE way to skip the entry line and sail through Customs and Immigration.
