AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
My passport is set to expire soon, and knowing it can take a while to process, I went to the Department of State’s website to download the renewal form. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that — two years after the program was officially announced — the public can finally renew a passport online. That is, if you meet the criteria.
If you, too, want to renew your passport online, here is what you need to know.
You Can Now Renew Your U.S. Passport Online
In 2022, the State Department released an initial version of an online passport renewal platform, which was available to a small number of applicants and had a few hiccups. This newest version, available to the general public since September 18, 2024, promises a smooth, simple way to renew your U.S. passport without leaving your house.
My experience confirms the ease of this process. I completed the application within 15 minutes and received my new passport in the mail in just over a week. It was so much simpler than the mail-in application process.
Although it was much faster for me, the website states that you can not request expedited service with the online application and should expect standard processing times. Current routine processing times are 4-6 weeks.
Related: Passport Stolen or Expired? Tips and Tricks to Get an Expedited Passport
Who Is Eligible To Renew Their Passport Online?
Only eligible adults can use the online passport renewal system. To apply online, you must meet the following requirements:
- You are 25 years or older and the passport you are renewing was valid for 10 years. Children are not eligible to renew their passports.
- Your current passport was issued between 2009 and 2015.
- You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.
- You are not traveling abroad in the next 6 weeks (to allow for processing time.)
- You are applying for a regular/tourist passport (rather than a special issue such as a diplomatic or service passport).
- You live in the U.S.
- You have your current passport in your possession.
- You can pay by credit card.
- You can upload a photo.
If you meet these requirements, you are in luck! You can renew either a passport book, a passport card, or both (but only if you already have the item you are applying for.)
How To Renew Your U.S. Passport Online
The process is pretty straightforward. Access the renewal application, create a MyTravelGov account, or sign in if you already have one. The application will then guide you through entering information from your current passport, so make sure you have it handy. If you are eligible to renew online, it will tell you immediately, and you will be prompted to add a photo.
The best part was being able to take and upload my own passport photo. I took a photo against a white wall at home and uploaded it from my phone. Be sure to check the requirements for photo submissions. It will need to be a high-resolution color JPEG file that meets the size requirements. When you upload your photo, it will let you know whether it is acceptable.
Finally, you are prompted to pay the application fee by credit card and submit the application. The fees are the same regardless of how you apply. Currently, the fee is $130 for a regular renewal. I immediately received an email stating that my payment was pending, followed by a confirmation the next day.
You do not need to mail in any supporting documents or your old passport. After submitting your application, you can check the status here.
Once you've got your new passport, make sure to add your passport to your AwardWallet account to help keep track of your travel documents.
Related: Best Credit Cards With Free Travel Insurance
Final Thoughts
My experience with online passport renewal was excellent. Bravo to the U.S. Department of State for creating a user-friendly and convenient online renewal application. I recommend trying it if you are up for renewal and meet the eligibility requirements. It can save you a ton of time and effort!
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
