June 16, 2024
If you need to renew your passport…the State Department is testing a brand new *online* passport renewal system.
Now – the system is just in the beta testing phase right now so it’s only going to accept a few online applications every day. For now the window to apply is around midday. eastern seven days a week. That eligibility window will expend over the next few months. So if you go to the website and it’s not available – if you’re not in a rush – you can try on another day.
If you’ve ever had to renew your passport you know – normally you have to do it through the mail and it’s a whole thing. Plus – you may remember last year when passport processing was talking months.
Well this new online renewal system is meant to make that process easier and faster.
So who is eligible to use this new system while it’s in beta testing? You have to meet ten requirements. And you probably shouldn’t use it if you are going to be traveling anytime soon. You qualify if —
The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are over the age of 25.
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 internationally for at least 8 weeks from the date you will submit your application.
You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport.
You live in the United States (either state or territory).
You have your passport with you, and it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not previously reported it as lost or stolen. Keep your most recent passport and do not mail it to us.
You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.
You can upload a digital passport photo.
You are aware that the passport you are renewing will be canceled after you submit your application and you cannot use it for international travel.
If you meet all those requirements then you just create an account, start your application, upload a digital photo, and pay for it and you should get your new passport in the normal six to eight weeks. If you can’t make the online beta system work for you, you can still obviously renew by mail or in person at a passport agency or center.
