The State Department opened a recent online system for U.S. passport renewal, simplifying an onerous process that the majority Americans have been doing by mail.
Do not get too excited: The fee of renewing a passport — $130 — isn’t changing, and you may still need to finish an almost equivalent renewal application. But officials said the formal launch of the web system marks a “significant step forward in ensuring that Americans can more easily access passport services,” in line with a statement.
The nationwide rollout of online passport renewal on Wednesday followed a beta testing period that opened in June. The shift to online processing is a component of the federal government’s response to recent issues with long wait times, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said within the statement.
“Because of increased staffing, technological advancements, and a bunch of other improvements, the typical routine passport is being processed today in roughly one-third the time as at the identical point last summer,” Blinken said. He added that average processing time has fallen under the six to eight weeks that is advertised.
Eligibility for online passport renewal
In 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order for online passport renewal, which directed the State Department to create the system. The goal was to scale back the time it takes to print and mail documents and pay with a physical check.
“More Americans than ever are traveling abroad, and we’ve seen an enormous increase in demand for passports over the previous couple of years,” Rena Bitter, assistant secretary for consular affairs, said during a briefing Wednesday.
There are just a few rules to know for online passport renewal: You have to be 25 or older, live within the U.S. and have a passport issued between 2009 and 2015 or “over 9 years but lower than 15 years from the date you intend to submit your application.”
The net option is supposed for individuals who can wait as much as eight weeks for his or her renewal, officials said, as the choice to expedite isn’t available online.
How one can renew a passport online
To renew your passport online, you’ll must visit the MyTravelGov website. The system will ask you to make an account and fill out details about your passport.
With the brand new system, you’ll be able to upload a digital photo of yourself in .JPEG format, which ought to be easier than getting printed passport photos.
You may pay the $130 fee with a credit or debit card. Once your application is submitted, enroll for email updates.
The fee of a passport has been the identical since December 2021. But travelers also applying for Global Entry, a service that offers certain people expedited clearance, will soon should cope with higher fees. A $20 price hike will take effect on Oct. 1.
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