Great news for Americans with an expired or soon-to-be expired passport. The U.S. State Department just re-launched their pilot program, which allows U.S. citizens to renew their passports online. RELATED: What you need to know about renewing or getting an emergency passport in the U.S.
This pilot program first launched in 2022. It was paused but just brought back today for another limited time. According to the State Department: “Eligible U.S. citizens can now renew their passports online. We’re conducting a beta release of an updated online passport renewal system.”
It does seem very, well, beta, as they state: “You may not be able to start your application on the day of your choice. The system will open for a limited midday eastern time window each day, and will close once we reach our limit for the day. If you are unable to start your application, try again on another day. If you do not want to wait or do not qualify to renew online, you may also renew by mail now.”
Hopefully you get lucky but just know that “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. This beta release during which we are limiting the daily applications is an important and standard part of the software development process. We appreciate your patience while we test our system and prepare for a full launch of the updated online passport renewal system.”
The most important thing to know is that this service is only for renewals and not new passports. Here are the 8 steps you need to follow to renew your passport online and track your status:
1. Confirm you meet the requirements
2. Create your account
3. Start your application
4. Enter your most recent passport info
5. Enter travel plans
6. Upload digital photo
7. Sign and pay
8. Enroll in email updates
There are 10 requirements you need to meet to be able to use the online system. You can read what they are here but below are the first three to give you an idea if you if you will be approved:
- “The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older.
- 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. We will only offer routine service during this limited release, and the time it takes to get a passport will be the same as renewing by mail.”
If you’re not traveling anywhere for the next couple of months, it would be worth testing it out (let us know how it went for you in the comments). My wife just became a U.S. citizen in March (here’s what the ceremony was like) so she wouldn’t have been able to use this system but her experience getting her first U.S. passport was positive. She said the process was a well-oiled machine. She expedited her application for an extra $65 and received her passport three weeks later.
This week, The New York Times ran an informative article, How to Replace Your Lost Passport, with helpful tips if you should lose yours.
KEEP READING:
–12 passport tips that will save you time, money and headaches
–The most important thing I do when I travel internationally is …
–Rick Steves got pickpocketed in Paris: Here’s what he wants you to know
–The most important thing for travelers to do according to a safety expert
–What you need to know about renewing or getting an emergency passport in the U.S.
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