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Renew an adult passport

Find out if you can renew your passport or need a new one. Learn how to renew your passport by mail or online, get it changed or corrected, or what to do if it expires soon.

Renew early. Passport processing times  vary. And some countries and airlines deny entry if your passport expires in less than 6 months.

Determine if you can renew your passport

If any of the following are true, you cannot renew your U.S. passport and must instead apply for a new passport in person using Form DS-11:

  • Issued before your 16th birthday
  • Issued more than 15 years ago
  • Damaged, lost, or stolen. Learn how to report a lost or stolen passport.
  • Issued in your previous name, and you do not have a legal document like a marriage license to prove your legal name change

If none of the above situations are true, you can renew your U.S. passport. 

Can you renew an expired passport?

You can renew an expired passport, but only if it was issued within the last 15 years.

How to renew your passport and what documents you will need

You can renew your passport and/or passport card by mail. You may instead be able to renew them online during the limited beta release of the Online Passport Renewal System.

Because it can take up to three months to process your application, it is important to renew your passport before it expires. Check with the Department of State to find out the current processing times for passport renewals .

Renewing your passport by mail

Typically, you will need the following items to renew your passport or passport card by mail:

  • You can fill out Form DS-82 online , or
  • Download Form DS-82 [PDF, 1.3MB] and fill it out by hand, or
  • Find your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency and pick up a copy.
  • Passport photo
  • Passport fee
  • Your most recent passport - Your most recent passport will be mailed back to you separately after your new passport is mailed.
  • Name change documentation, if necessary

Learn how to submit all your documentation and passport fees and where to mail them.

Renewing your passport online

You may be able to renew your passport book and/or card online. Learn about the Online Passport Renewal System , including:

  • Eligibility for renewing your passport book and/or card online
  • How to create an online account
  • What information and documents you will need to renew your passport online  

If you need your passport quickly

Learn how and where to get your passport fast for emergency or urgent travel or to get expedited processing. The time it takes for each varies throughout the year, and there may be additional fees. Use the fee calculator or chart.

Check the status of your passport renewal

Learn how to check the status of your passport renewal online . Or check its status by phone (call wait times may be long).

If you need to change your name or correct your passport

After you receive your renewed passport, if you change your name or find an error, you will need to get an updated one to reflect the change. The process, cost, and forms you need depend on how long you have had your current passport. Follow the steps from the State Department to change your name or correct your passport.

If you are outside the U.S.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate near you to request a passport while outside the U.S.

If you need help with your passport application

If you have questions about your U.S. passport, the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) can help. Get contact information for NPIC and find out when to contact them based on when you are traveling.

Be aware of passport expiration rules for your destination

Some countries and airlines will not allow a U.S. passport holder to enter if their passport expires in less than 6 months. 

Check your destination country's U.S. passport expiration rules on the  Department of State's country information page .

  • On the left, search for the country name in the "learn about your destination" box.
  • On that country's page, look for "passport validity."

LAST UPDATED: September 19, 2024

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U.S. Passport Application Status

State Department announces US passport renewal now fully available online

Americans can now renew their passports fully online.

Big news for American travelers with a U.S. passport, the State Department will allow for renewal online thanks to an update to the agency's previous pilot program.

The State Department announced exclusively to ABC News on Wednesday that it’s online passport renewal program is now fully available to the public.

us department of travel passport renewal

"We expect 5 million Americans to be able to use this every year," Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Consular Affairs told ABC News exclusively.

Adults 25 or older who have had a U.S. passport before will no longer have to fill out or print a paper application, mail a check, or make an appointment.

"It is for people who can renew their passport. They’ve had an adult passport, that has expired within the last 5 years or will expire in the coming year," Bitter explained.

What to know about US passport online renewals

The modernized process will be simple: create an account to start the application process on the State Department's website, enter your old passport information and upcoming travel plans.

Plus, the ordeal of going somewhere to get a photo taken will be a thing of the past now that it can be done right from a cellphone.

"You can upload your photo and apply it completely online without having to do anything in person or send anything in the mail," Bitter told ABC News.

The photo cannot be a selfie, must be taken with a white background and needs to be recent.

Finally, those applying for online renewal can check out using a debit or credit card.

"The process of applying for a passport online will be much more convenient for Americans," Bitter said.

See the full list checklist of qualifications needed to apply for online passport renewal below.

The routine processing time for online renewals is 6 to 8 weeks, which only includes the time the application is at a passport agency or center and does not include mailing times.

The digital renewal system was first introduced in 2021 through an executive order from President Joe Biden, but later halted applications indefinitely in 2023 due to the backlog of delays and renewals .

Earlier this month the government agency previously announced it would open a limited number of applications for online renewal at 1 pm ET on a first-come, first-serve basis.

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Last year, the U.S. Department of State reported an all-time record high with more than 24 million U.S. passport books and cards issued in a 12-month span.

Online US passport renewal requirements

Passport applicants who wish to do a renewal online must meet the following criteria , per the State Department:

-- Be U.S. citizens and residents ages 25 and older who have already had an existing passport for 10 years; the passport must still be in the applicant’s possession (and not previously reported lost or stolen. It can, however, be expired.) -- Not be changing their name, gender, date of birth or place of birth for the new passport. -- Live in a U.S. state or territory. -- Be applying for a regular tourist passport. -- Be able to upload a recent digital photo. -- Be able to pay the renewal fee online with either a debit or credit card.

An earlier version of this story was originally published on September 12, 2024.

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ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

State Department rolls out updated online passport renewal

A U.S. passport.

The State Department has launched an updated online passport renewal service, making it possible for travelers to forgo mailing documents and upload them digitally instead.

Right now, the rollout is restricted to certain windows at midday Eastern time — starting at 1 p.m., according to T he Wall Street Journal.

Once a daily limit of applications is reached, the system will close. The department advises travelers to try again another day if they get a message saying they can't start their applications.

Travelers should watch a video on how to select and upload their passport photo.

The limited-service run is expected to last for several months.

Processing times are the normal six to eight weeks. And right now, the online system is not available to applicants who need expedited service or urgent travel options.

This is not the first time online renewal has been available but the department said it has been updated with improvements.

Following pandemic reopenings, passport processing times slowed dramatically amid a surge in travel and reduced agency staffing, but the department says it has recovered to normal service .

The rollout is part of President Joe Biden's 2023 budget , which directed $163 million toward revamping the delivery of passport services so the public can access core services online. The budget also earmarked funds for customer-facing upgrades to Transportation Safety Administration and the Social Security Administration.

The announcement by the State Department follows on the IRS' decision to permanently e stablish its free Direct File system for submitting simplified tax returns , itself a part of a $642 million effort by the Biden administration to improve customer service for taxpayers.

us department of travel passport renewal

Rob Wile is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist covering breaking business stories for NBCNews.com.

us department of travel passport renewal

US Department of State launches online passport renewal for easier travel

P ORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday that its new online passport renewal system is now fully accessible to the public.

This new process will save time and effort by allowing travelers to renew their passports online. Before, travelers had to print out a paper application and mail it in with a check.

The State Department says it is embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient passport renewal experience possible.

Passports can now be processed is being processed in one-third of the time it took last summer — well under the advertised six to eight weeks processing time.

According to Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, “Our online passport renewal system is an important example of how the Department is modernizing government services for the benefit of Americans and delivering on President Biden’s Executive Order, Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government.”

The online passport renewal process can be accessed at Travel.State.Gov/renewonline .

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.

US Department of State launches online passport renewal for easier travel

Watch CBS News

Passports can now be renewed online. Here's how to apply.

By Khristopher J. Brooks

Edited By Anne Marie Lee

June 13, 2024 / 11:24 AM EDT / CBS News

U.S. travelers can now renew their passport online under a pilot program the U.S. Department of State launched on Thursday. 

The State Department's new online system will allow U.S. passport holders to start a renewal application for a short window of time every day, closing once the system has reached a designated number of new applications, officials said in a statement . The agency is preparing a full launch of the renewal system at some point after testing, but didn't provide an exact date. 

If successful, an online renewal system could shorten the sometimes monthslong process travelers experience when trying to update their passport. 

"During the next several months, we plan to continue to limit the number of applications accepted each day so we can monitor the system's performance in real time," the department said. "If you are unable to start your application, try again on another day."

Processing passports has become a growing problem for the State Department ever since COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted, with the agency bombarded with an overwhelming number of applications  each week. The passport application backlog grew so heavy last year that federal lawmakers from California, Colorado and Oklahoma introduced separate proposals to the Senate to speed up the application process. 

Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma  proposed legislation  that would improve the online tracking of passport applications and allow the State Department to hire more staff. Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Ted Lieu of California introduced the  PASSPORT Act  to streamline the passport application and renewal process.

The number of Americans holding valid U.S. passports has grown at roughly 10% faster than the population over the past three decades, said Jay Zagorsky, an economist at Boston University. Just 5% of Americans had a passport in 1990, according to the State Department. That number grew to 48% in December.

The State Department issued a record setting 24 million passports in 2023. Wait times for passport applications and renewals  returned to their normal 6-8 week time frame in December , the State Department  said . 

Renewing your passport online involves a six-step process:

  • Create a free MyTravelGov online account. 
  • After the account is created, log in and start a renewal application by clicking on the "Renew Your Passport" button.
  • On the form that appears, fill in all the boxes with the information currently printed on your passport.
  • Enter your plans to travel internationally if your departure is within the next eight weeks.
  • Upload a jpeg photo of yourself. No selfies. 
  • Pay the passport renewal fee and digitally sign the application.

Visit the State Department's online renewal website for more details. 

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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If you are applying for a U.S. passport, use the Passport Form Filler to fill out our primary forms (DS-11, DS-82, DS-5504, and DS-64) online and print them. The Form Filler will save you time and reduce the chance of errors on your form.

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Passport cover and passport photo on desk.

Thousands of Post Offices ™ accept first-time passport applications for the U.S. Department of State. Most of those locations can also take your passport photo.

  • Renewing Passports : If you answer 'Yes' to all 5 eligibility questions in the " Renew a Passport by Mail " section, mail your renewal form directly to the State Department. If you don't meet all the renewal requirements, you'll need to go to a Post Office in person and do a new, first-time passport application.
  • First-Time Passports (and Passport Photos) : Schedule your in-person appointment online.

Schedule an Appointment

Alert: --> online scheduler to make an appointment for passport services to ensure the safety of our employees and customers. The State Department has extremely limited passport services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expect significant delays of several months before receiving your new U.S. passport. Learn More

Passport cover and passport photo on desk.

Alert: For first-time passport and photo services, please make an appointment using our online scheduler , a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk , or at a Post Office retail counter . We also offer limited Passport walk-in hours at select locations.

First-Time Passports

First-time applicants and people who aren’t allowed to get a new passport by mail.

Apply at a Post Office

Expedited Delivery

Renewing Passports

Most people renewing a passport should mail their application directly to the State Department.

Renew by Mail

Passports for Minors

Passports for children under 16 have special requirements. Make sure you are prepared.

Apply for a First-Time Passport

If you've never had a U.S. passport, are 16 or under, or aren't allowed to renew an existing passport by mail, you need to apply for a new passport in person at the Post Office.

Step 1: Gather Documents Early

Generally, you should apply for your new passport as soon as you know you’ll be traveling internationally—at least several months in advance. Passport processing times may vary, so be sure to check the latest State Department service estimates . First-time applicants, minors, and applicants who need a new passport but may not renew by mail may submit their passport application at the Post Office. The U.S. State Department website explains what you'll need to bring with you.

  • Application forms (unsigned)
  • Proof of identity document and a photocopy of the front and back
  • Proof of U.S. Citizenship document and a photocopy of the front and back
  • Passport fees

Apply for a Passport in Person

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package

Visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn how to apply for a passport and what documents you need.

  • Complete your Form DS-11 Application for U.S. Passport on the State Department website.
  • Print your completed application. DO NOT SIGN YOUR APPLICATION. A Postal employee must witness your signature.
  • Have a passport photo taken.
  • Photocopy your proof of identity and U.S. Citizenship documents.
  • Post Offices accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for Post Office acceptance fees.
  • State Department fees are mailed with your application. You can pay with a personal, certified, cashier's, traveler's check, or money order, payable to "U.S. Department of State."

Get Started on Your Application

Step 3: Schedule an Appointment

Post Offices that offer passport services have set hours, and you'll need to schedule an appointment using the online Retail Customer Appointment Scheduler or a Post Office lobby self-service kiosk.

Scheduling Online

  • Go to Schedule an Appointment .
  • Choose the passport service you need, along with the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
  • You can search for appointment by location or date first. If you search by location first, you'll then be asked to choose a date and time; if you search by date first, you'll then need to choose a location and time.
  • After you choose your appointment location and time, provide your contact information, and agree to the Terms and Conditions.
  • Click Review Appointment , then confirm your appointment.

If you need to modify or cancel your appointment, click the Manage Appointments tab and enter your confirmation number and email address or phone number.

Using a Self-Service Kiosk

  • Go to a Post Office location with lobby self-service kiosks. Find USPS Locations
  • At the self-service kiosk, touch the screen to begin, then select "Other Services," then "Passport Scheduler."
  • Choose the passport service you need, then enter the number of adults and minors who need appointments.
  • Search for Post Office locations by ZIP Code™ or City/State and choose a location.
  • Select an available appointment date and time, then agree to the Terms and Conditions.
  • Enter your contact information and decide if you'd like to receive SMS text notifications.
  • Review and confirm your information, then select “Schedule Appointment” to finalize.
  • Take your printed receipt listing your confirmation number and appointment details.

Step 4: Pay Passport Acceptance & Processing Fees

First-time passport applications have two types of basic fees, the application acceptance fee and the application processing fee. Passport photos and fees for faster processing are extra. Learn how to calculate fees and what you can use to pay for them.

Application Acceptance Fees – Postal Service

Pay acceptance fees in person at the Post Office. You may pay by check or money order, payable to "Postmaster," debit card, or credit card.

  • $35.00 - Post Office acceptance fee
  • $15.00 - Post Office photo fee (if needed)

Application Processing Fees – Department of State

State Department payment is sent with your application package. State Department fees are paid separately from USPS fees.

  • State Department Fees State Department passport fees vary. Calculate passport fees online .
  • Personal, certified, cashier's, or traveler's check, payable to "U.S. Department of State."
  • Money order payable to "U.S. Department of State." You can buy a money order at the Post Office with cash, a debit card, or a traveler's check. You cannot pay with a credit card.

Application Status Updates

  • Use the Online Passport Status System to check your application status if you applied by mail or in person. You may not be able to get a status update for 2 weeks after you apply or renew. During these weeks, your application and supporting documents are on their way to the Department of State. See more information about current processing times on the Department of State page " U.S. Passports ."

Renew a Passport by Mail

If you are eligible to renew your passport, please complete Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 (see completion instructions on the form), and mail your completed renewal application directly to the State Department for processing. To verify if your passport is eligible for renewal by mail, please visit State Department Renew By Mail .

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility to Renew by Mail

A minor's passport may not be renewed by mail; to renew a minor's passport, you need to submit a new, first-time passport application in person . An adult passport may be renewed by mail if it meets certain requirements.

You can renew your adult passport by mail if you answer "Yes" to all 5 of the following statements:

Your passport:

  • Is in your possession to submit with your application.
  • Is undamaged other than normal "wear and tear."
  • Was issued when you were age 16 or older.
  • Was issued within the last 15 years.
  • Was issued in your current name or you can document your name change. (Name changes are explained on Change a Passport .)

If your passport does not meet all these requirements, do not mail your renewal application. You must prepare the same application package as a first-time passport applicant.

State Department Renew by Mail

Apply early for renewals as many countries require that passports be valid for at least 6 months after you enter their country. Learn how to properly prepare your application package and include all the necessary documents so your passport is processed on time.

  • Complete your Passport Renewal Application Form DS-82 on the State Department website.
  • Print and sign your DS-82 form.
  • Have a passport photo taken. You can schedule a passport photo-only appointment at a Post Office ™ location.
  • Calculate your passport renewal fees .
  • Collect your most recent passport, completed and signed application, renewal fees, and name change documents, if needed.
  • Use an envelope large enough to fit the application without folding it.
  • TIP : Pay for Priority Mail Express ® or Priority Mail ® service and get free envelopes that are large enough to hold your application. Order easily online: Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope or Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope .
  • Address the envelope to the location for your state. See page 2 of your DS-82 form.

How to Renew a Passport - Details

Step 3: Mail Your Renewal Application

Department of State recommends using a USPS delivery tracking service to mail your renewal application.

Choose one of the following services:

  • USPS Priority Mail ® Service with Delivery Confirmation
  • USPS Priority Mail ® Service with Signature Confirmation
  • USPS Priority Mail Express ® Service (for overnight delivery requests)

Compare Delivery Tracking Services

Step 4: Follow Your Application Progress

If you use a USPS delivery tracking service, go to USPS Tracking ® to see when your package is delivered.

  • With a USPS tracking service, you can see when your application arrived using the tracking number on your receipt.

USPS Tracking Status

U.S. Passport Application Status

Expedited Passport Delivery

Get a new passport faster in emergencies & special cases.

If you need your passport faster for emergency travel or another special case, you can send your passport application via Priority Mail Express ® service and pay the State Department fee for faster delivery.

Life-or-Death Emergency

If you need to travel within 72 hours (3 business days) for an immediate family member who is dead, dying, or has a life-threatening illness or injury:

  • Visit the Life-or-Death Emergencies page on travel.state.gov to learn if you are eligible.
  • The State Department processes these requests by appointment only.
  • Your appointment date must be within 72 hours (3 business days) of travel.

Urgent Travel in Less than 10 Weeks

If you are traveling in less than 10 weeks, you must call the State Department Passport Agency to schedule an appointment:

  • You can call 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY) to schedule an appointment.
  • Your appointment date must be within 72 hours (3 business days) of travel, and you must provide proof of travel.

Note : An extremely limited number of appointments are available for customers who are traveling internationally in the next 72 hours (3 business days), and other restrictions apply .

Get My Passport Fast

Renew Your Passport Fast

If you pay an additional $60 for expedited service and mail it with Priority Mail Express , you can get your renewed passport within 10 weeks.

  • Check your eligibility under Renew Your Passport by Mail, Step 1: Check Your Eligibility to Renew by Mail .
  • Prepare your application as listed under Renew a Passport by Mail, Step 2: Prepare Your Application Package .
  • Add these special fees, both payable to the U.S. Department of State, to your regular processing fees.
  • $60.00—Expedited application processing at the State Department
  • $21.36—1- to 2-day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department
  • Clearly mark "EXPEDITE" on the outside of the envelope.
  • Ship your application to the State Department by Priority Mail Express. Cost varies by location.
  • Both parents/guardians must authorize the issuance of a child's passport. The best way to give consent is for both parents/guardians to go with the child when applying.
  • Children need evidence of citizenship.
  • Parents/guardians need proof of parental relationship.
  • NOTE: Children's passports are only valid for 5 years. They are not "renewable": When a child's passport expires, you must apply for a new passport for them. When making a passport appointment for a child, please choose "New Passport Only" or "New Passport with Photo Services."

Apply for a Minor's Passport

  • Department of State Passport Website English | Español
  • Ask Questions at the National Passport Information Center
  • Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
  • Plan Your Trip with the Traveler's Checklist
  • Get Help in an Emergency Overseas

Lost or Stolen Passports

If your passport has been lost or stolen, you should report it immediately to the U.S. Department of State.

Report Your Lost/Stolen Passport

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Forget tedious paper applications, Americans can now renew passports online

The Associated Press

The cover of a U.S. Passport is displayed in Tigard, Ore., Dec. 11, 2021. Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays. The State Department announced Wednesday that its online passport renewal system is now fully operational.

The cover of a U.S. Passport is displayed in Tigard, Ore., Dec. 11, 2021. Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays. The State Department announced Wednesday that its online passport renewal system is now fully operational. Jenny Kane/AP hide caption

WASHINGTON — Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays.

The State Department announced Wednesday that its online renewal system is now fully operational, after testing in pilot programs, and available to adult passport holders whose passport has expired within the past five years or will expire in the coming year. It is not available for the renewal of children's passports, for first-time passport applicants for renewal applicants who live outside the United States or for expedited applications.

"By offering this online alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department is embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient passport renewal experience possible," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The department said it estimated that about 5 million Americans would be able to use this service a year. In 2023, it processed 24 million passports, about 40% of which were renewals.

After staffing shortages caused mainly by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lengthy passport processing delays, the department ramped up hiring and introduced other technological improvements that have reduced wait times by about one-third over last year. It says most applications are now completed in far less than the advertised six weeks to eight weeks and the online renewal system is expected to further reduce that.

The system will allow renewal applicants to skip the current process, which requires them to print out and send paper applications, photos and a check by mail, and submit their documents, photo, and payment through a secure website, www.Travel.State.Gov/renewonline.

There will be no change to the existing passport processing fees, which are currently $130 for a regular renewal.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter, whose bureau oversees passport processing said the department hoped to expand the program in the coming years to possibly include Americans living abroad, those seeking to renew a second passport and children's passports.

"This is not going to be the last thing that we do," she told reporters. "We want to see how this goes and then we'll start looking at ways to continue to make this service available to more American citizens in the coming months and years."

Passport Acceptance Facility Search Page

Use this site to find the nearest acceptance facility where you can submit your U.S. passport application. Acceptance facilities include post offices, clerks of court, public libraries, and other local government offices which accept passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Search for facilities by zip code, state, or state/city. You can also find facilities which offer on-site photo services.

  • Download and fill out passport forms
  • Steps on how to apply
  • Calculate your fees
  • Find current processing times

Please note that information on this site changes weekly. If you wish to provide feedback on using this site, click here.  

NBC Chicago

Americans can now renew passports online and bypass cumbersome paper applications

The state department announced wednesday that its online passport renewal system is now fully operational., by the associated press • published september 18, 2024 • updated on september 18, 2024 at 1:50 pm.

Americans can now renew their passports online , bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays.

The State Department announced Wednesday that its online renewal system is now fully operational, after testing in pilot programs, and available to adult passport holders whose passport has expired within the past five years or will expire in the coming year. It is not available for the renewal of children's passports, for first-time passport applicants for renewal applicants who live outside the United States or for expedited applications.

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“By offering this online alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department is embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient passport renewal experience possible,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

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The department said it estimated that about 5 million Americans would be able to use this service a year. In 2023, it processed 24 million passports, about 40% of which were renewals.

After staffing shortages caused mainly by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lengthy passport processing delays, the department ramped up hiring and introduced other technological improvements that have reduced wait times by about one-third over last year. It says most applications are now completed in far less than the advertised six weeks to eight weeks and the online renewal system is expected to further reduce that.

The system will allow renewal applicants to skip the current process, which requires them to print out and send paper applications, photos and a check by mail, and submit their documents, photo, and payment through a secure website, www.Travel.State.Gov/renewonline .

There will be no change to the existing passport processing fees, which are currently $130 for a regular renewal.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter, whose bureau oversees passport processing said the department hoped to expand the program in the coming years to possibly include Americans living abroad, those seeking to renew a second passport and children's passports.

“This is not going to be the last thing that we do,” she told reporters. “We want to see how this goes and then we’ll start looking at ways to continue to make this service available to more American citizens in the coming months and years.”

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us department of travel passport renewal

MyTravelGov

us department of travel passport renewal

Welcome to MyTravelGov

Additional information.

us department of travel passport renewal

us department of travel passport renewal

Americans can now renew their passports online

Person holds up a U.S. passport.

Americans can now renew their passports online.

The U.S. State Department launched its online renewal program nationally on Wednesday, after a beta phase of the program ran for about two months.

Speaking at a travel conference Tuesday, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma said that digitized applications should soon account for about half of passport renewals in the U.S.

“We think in the not too distant future, nearly 50% of passport renewals will be done online,” Verma said at the Skift Global Forum in New York, according to Skift.

While the process to renew will become more seamless for citizens, that doesn’t mean passports will be renewed any quicker.

“We are back to pre-pandemic levels,” Verma said. “Six to eight weeks for a regular service, two to three weeks for an expedited service. That will continue to be the case even through the online platform. But the ease of doing it and the customer experience, hopefully will be much better.”

Renew your passport online

Passports can be renewed online via this link .

To be eligible for online passport renewal, Americans must meet certain criteria, according to the State Department:

- You must be 25 or older - You must have a passport that is or was valid for 10 years - 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 for at least eight weeks from the application date - You live in the U.S. - You have your passport, and it is not damaged or reported lost or stolen - You must pay with a debit or credit card - You can upload a digital passport photo

Once you apply to renew your passport, the one you are renewing will be canceled and cannot be used for travel.

Only regular tourist passports can be renewed online, the State Department said. Special issuance passports — diplomatic, official, or service — cannot be renewed through the new program.

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IMAGES

  1. US Passport Renewal Process

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  2. Passport Renewal

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  3. How to Fill Out DS-82 or US Passport Renewal Form

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  4. How To Renew a U.S. Passport

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  5. Passport Renewal

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  6. US Passport Renewal Process

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VIDEO

  1. " U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT ADDRESSES PASSPORT BROS '

  2. It’s Happening! Finally Renewing My Passport- International Travel Plans & Excitement For The Future

  3. US Passport Processing Times Reduced: Faster Travel in 2023!

  4. Online Passport Renewal: Uploading Your Photo

  5. Can I Renew My Passport Online?

  6. Where To Get Cheap Passport Photos?

COMMENTS

  1. Renew my Passport Online

    Eligible U.S. citizens who want routine service can now renew their passports online. If you do not qualify to renew online, you may also renew by mail. Follow these steps to renew your passport online and track your status: Confirm you meet the requirements; Create your account ; Start your application; Enter your most recent passport info

  2. Announcing Online Passport Renewal

    The Department of State is making our new online passport renewal system fully available to the public today, a significant step forward in ensuring that Americans can more easily access passport services. Instead of printing a paper application and mailing it with a check, Americans can now renew their passports through a secure process that […]

  3. Renew my Passport by Mail

    Getting a New Passport for a Child: You cannot renew a passport for a child under age 16. You must apply again in person using Form DS-11. Renewing a Passport Outside the United States: Learn how to renew your U.S. passport if you live in a foreign country.

  4. Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency or Center

    The U.S. Department of State runs each passport agency and center. An agency and center is different than acceptance facilities which may include post offices, libraries, and local government offices. Avoid the stress of needing to visit a passport agency or center for urgent travel. Apply early at an acceptance facility or renew by mail.

  5. U.S. passports

    Lost or stolen passports. If your passport is lost or stolen you must report it to the State Department right away. How you replace it depends on if you are inside or outside the U.S. Find out how to apply for or renew a passport for an adult or a minor under 18. Know what to do if a passport is lost or stolen.

  6. Renew an adult passport

    You can renew an expired passport, but only if it was issued within the last 15 years. How to renew your passport and what documents you will need. You can renew your passport and/or passport card by mail. You may instead be able to renew them online during the limited beta release of the Online Passport Renewal System. Because it can take up ...

  7. U.S. Passport Application Status

    If you applied for a special issuance passport, contact your federal travel office or check passportstatus.state.gov on a U.S. government computer or device. Travel.State.Gov U.S. Passports

  8. State Department announces US passport renewal now fully available

    Passport applicants who wish to do a renewal online must meet the following criteria, per the State Department:-- Be U.S. citizens and residents ages 25 and older who have already had an existing ...

  9. State Department rolls out updated online passport renewal

    The State Department has launched an updated online passport renewal service, making it possible for travelers to forgo mailing documents and upload them digitally instead. Right now, the rollout ...

  10. US Department of State launches online passport renewal for ...

    PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday that its new online passport renewal system is now fully accessible to the public. This new process will save time and ...

  11. U.S. Passports

    Routine: 6-8 weeks* Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60* *Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel. Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.. It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we ...

  12. Passports can now be renewed online. Here's how to apply

    Tips and tricks for summer travel season 03:33. U.S. travelers can now renew their passport online under a pilot program the U.S. Department of State launched on Thursday.. The State Department's ...

  13. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter on Online Passport

    Our speaker for today is the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter. Ambassador Bitter is a career senior foreign service officer prior to assuming her role as assistant secretary for Consular Affairs in August of 2021, she held the position as dean of the Leadership and Management School at the Foreign Service Institute.

  14. Passport Forms

    Form Finder -- Passport Forms. If you are applying for a U.S. passport, use the Passport Form Filler to fill out our primary forms (DS-11, DS-82, DS-5504, and DS-64) online and print them. The Form Filler will save you time and reduce the chance of errors on your form.

  15. Passport Application & Passport Renewal

    Passports. Thousands of Post Offices ™ accept first-time passport applications for the U.S. Department of State. Most of those locations can also take your passport photo. Renewing Passports: If you answer 'Yes' to all 5 eligibility questions in the "Renew a Passport by Mail" section, mail your renewal form directly to the State Department.If you don't meet all the renewal requirements, you ...

  16. Important Updates on Passport Processing

    This is especially important as we approach what is expected to be our busiest summer travel season on record. Our passport processing times are currently 8-11 weeks for routine processing and 5-7 weeks for expedited processing, which costs an additional $60 per application. These processing times fluctuate throughout the year depending on ...

  17. Renew or Replace a Passport Homepage

    You can also correct information in your passport or report it lost or stolen. Adult Applying in Person: If you already have a passport but you are not eligible to renew it, you must apply in person. Getting a New Passport for a Child: You cannot renew a passport for a child under age 16. You must apply again in person. Renew my Passport by Mail.

  18. Americans can now renew their passports online : NPR

    The department said it estimated that about 5 million Americans would be able to use this service a year. In 2023, it processed 24 million passports, about 40% of which were renewals.

  19. Where to Apply for a Passport Nationwide

    Use this site to find the nearest acceptance facility where you can submit your U.S. passport application. Acceptance facilities include post offices, clerks of court, public libraries, and other local government offices which accept passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Search for facilities by zip code, state, or ...

  20. Americans can now renew passports online

    The department said it estimated that about 5 million Americans would be able to use this service a year. In 2023, it processed 24 million passports, about 40% of which were renewals.

  21. Uploading a Digital Photo

    When you renew your passport online, you will need to upload a digital photo. This process is different than renewing by mail when you staple a photo to your application. Before you start your application, get your passport photo taken by someone else. No selfies. Follow the special requirements for a digital photo and photo examples on this page.

  22. Home

    Welcome to MyTravelGov. MyTravelGov is a new feature from the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs. With a MyTravelGov account, U.S. citizens and nationals can securely apply for consular services online.

  23. Get your Passport Application Status

    If you have waited over two weeks since we mailed your passport, call us at 1-877-487-2778 (or 1-888-874-7793 if you are deaf or hard of hearing). We will help you complete a special form (known as the DS-86 form ) which is a signed statement that you didn't receive your U.S. passport.

  24. Americans can now renew their passports online

    - You can upload a digital passport photo. Once you apply to renew your passport, the one you are renewing will be canceled and cannot be used for travel. Only regular tourist passports can be renewed online, the State Department said. Special issuance passports — diplomatic, official, or service — cannot be renewed through the new program.

  25. Passport Fees

    Passport Fees. Expand the boxes on this page to see how much you need to pay for a passport, and what types of payment to use. You can also use our fee calculator to figure out the cost of your passport. The fees you pay depend on: Your age. If you want a passport book, passport card, or both documents. How fast you need your passport, and.

  26. How to Get my U.S. Passport Fast

    Returning the passport to you: Pay $21.36 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport 1-2 days after we send it. Include this fee with your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid.

  27. Processing Times for U.S. Passports

    Yes. You may choose one or both of the following shipment options: Delivery to us: Use Priority Mail Express for faster shipping.The price for this service depends where you live. Return to you: Pay $21.36 for 1-2 day delivery.This means you will receive your passport 1-2 days after we send it.Include the fee with your passport fee in your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of ...