As one of the world’s most powerful passports, a U.S. passport grants visa-free entry into 189 countries across the globe, as of 2024. For adults, each passport is valid for 10 years — which means there’s plenty of time to cross a good chunk of those countries off your travel list before it’s time to renew. Unfortunately, the renewal process is typically time-consuming. It involves making an in-person appointment or, if you’re eligible, filling out an application and sending in your old passport and then waiting several weeks for your new one to arrive. But thanks to a new program launched by the State Department, you might now be able to save time and renew your passport online. Find out everything you need to know about online passport renewal below.
How Does Online Passport Renewal Work?
In June 2024, the U.S. State Department rolled out a beta release of its new online passport renewal system. Eligible passport holders can apply to renew their passports online by creating an account on the MyTravelGov website and clicking “Renew Your Passport.” However, enrollment is limited. The application window opens each day at 1 p.m. Eastern Time and closes after the unspecified cap is reached. If you’re not able to apply, try again the following day, or you can always submit by mail.
Those who are successful will have 30 days to complete their online application. The application requires you to enter information about your most recent passport, confirm any upcoming travel plans, and upload a digital photo. If all requirements are met, applicants can submit payment online via credit or debit card and sign up for email updates on the status of their application. You can find all the details and step-by-step instructions, including helpful videos, on the State Department website.
Who Can Renew Their Passport Online?
Currently, the biggest limitation is that the online system only offers routine passport renewal service. While you’ll be able to avoid the hassle of mailing in your old passport, the processing time will still be the same six to eight weeks. Importantly, this means you can’t use the service if you have international travel plans within eight weeks of your application date.
Similarly, if your passport is expiring soon — keeping in mind the six-month rule — you can’t use the online service, and there’s no option to pay extra for an expedited renewal. However, you can still apply for a quicker renewal in person or by mail.
Of note, the system is available only for renewals — not brand-new passports. You can only apply for a standard tourist passport (not a diplomatic or other special type of passport), and the passport must be less than 15 years old. You also must be at least 25 years of age, and your passport cannot be lost, stolen, or damaged.
Furthermore, applicants cannot be U.S. citizens residing in a foreign country. You’ll only be able to pay with a credit or debit card, and you can’t change any personal details such as your name. The full list of requirements is available on the State Department website.
When Will Online Passport Renewal Be Expanded?
As of August 2024, the new online passport renewal system is expected to be in beta mode for the next several months. The State Department says it is limiting the number of daily applicants so that it can monitor how the system performs and make necessary adjustments. When the system first launched, the daily cap was met within minutes. There are recent reports, however, that the system has been open for applicants for a longer window each day — which is welcome news if you aren’t able to get online exactly at 1 p.m. ET.
The State Department hasn’t shared an official timeline for when the system will be fully up and running, but it says that it expects about 5 million people to be able to use the system each year, which accounts for nearly 70% of all passport renewals.
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