WASHINGTON: Americans can now renew their passports online, eliminating the need for the old, cumbersome mail-in process. The State Department recently announced the full launch of its digital passport renewal system, following several successful pilot tests. This service is available to adults whose passports have expired within the last five years or are set to expire in the next year. However, it’s not yet available for children’s passports, first-time applicants, those living abroad, or anyone needing expedited service.
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Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the new system as part of a broader effort to simplify and speed up the passport renewal process. The department estimates that around 5 million Americans will benefit from the online service each year. In 2023, 24 million passports were processed, with 40% of those being renewals.
This new option comes in response to pandemic-related delays that slowed passport processing. Since then, the State Department has increased staffing and improved technology, cutting processing times by about a third. While the typical wait time is six to eight weeks, many applications are now being completed much faster, with the new online system expected to speed things up even more.
Instead of printing and mailing applications, photos, and checks, applicants can now upload everything digitally through the secure site www.Travel.State.Gov/renewonline. The fees remain unchanged, with a regular renewal costing $130.
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Rena Bitter, the Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, said this is just the beginning. She indicated that the service could eventually expand to Americans living overseas, those renewing second passports, and children’s renewals. “This is the first step in making passport renewals easier for everyone,” she said, hinting at more improvements in the future.
