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Renewing passports is a task that no traveler looks forward to, but the process is finally getting more accessible.
Last week, the State Department launched a new beta test for an online passport renewal program, allowing travelers to complete the entire application virtually.
While the State Department is working towards making the online program more widely available, it is currently limited to U.S. citizens residing in the country with passports issued between 2009 and 2015.
Applicants for the online passport renewal program are required to upload their own photo and have a credit or debit card ready to pay the $130 renewal fee. Please note that only bank cards are accepted as payment methods.
“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 State Department said on the new program website. “We appreciate your patience while we test our system and prepare for a full launch of the updated online passport renewal system.”
Renewing Your Online Passport Is The Way To Go
Applying online will be more convenient for most travelers, but it’s not necessarily faster than the traditional mail-in option. The processing time for online renewal is six to eight weeks. This estimate doesn’t include mailing time, so the wait could be a bit longer to receive your new passport. Unlike the mail-in applications, the online renewal program doesn’t offer expedited or urgent travel options.
Although travelers won’t have to mail their existing passport as part of this online renewal option, they should know that their current passport will be immediately canceled once they submit an online application. That means anyone with international travel plans should not use this online system shortly.
Those needing an urgent renewal should instead make an appointment with a passport center for expedited processing. The State Department, in charge of passport distribution, has published a helpful guide on how to do this.
Jessica is a freelance journalist on a quest to see and experience everything our gorgeous planet offers and share her experiences with her fellow travelers. Jessica has written for several world-class Travel Magazines.
