After beta testing for years, it has finally become widely available for most U.S. passports to be renewed online.
Direct link to renew your passport online | Check out this page for more details on how the process works
There are so many advantages to renewing online:
- No need to go to CVS to get get a printed photo; just have a friend to a picture on your phone and upload the image
- Saving on the cost of the registered mailer; the online process should also shave a couple of days off the time it takes to process
- Pay with a credit card; no need to send in physical check
- Etc.
I was browsing the State site on Labor Day (09/02, online passport renewal in beta) just to see what the steps were. Surprisingly, I was able to register at first try and have 30 days to complete my application. Took digital photo at home the next morning, uploaded to computer and applied. Easy.
Started to wonder since I haven’t received the new passport when some say theirs arrived in just 7-10 days. Finally received mine today, after three weeks, though unsure if that’s because I applied for the “larger” version with 43 pages for visas.
Eligibility: most recent U.S. passport book and/or card expires in one year or less.
Bummer, that rules me out.
Note that already expired is eligible too. As long as it was issued no more than 15 years ago.
Do I go ahead and check this box? https://imgur.com/a/iMGRZIA
I used the beta back in June, and aside from figuring out what time it opened each day, the process was very fast and smooth. They only allowed a limited number of applications each day at “midday,” but it finally took finding a Reddit post to find out that meant 1pm ET. Once I found that, I got in immediately the next day and got it done. Currently on a plane in Australia thanks to the easy renewal. 🙂
Hopefully it’s just as smooth now that it’s open to all.
“just have a friend” Sounds so simple, doesn’t it…
Deep.
yes, a tripod + timed picture can be your “friend”. I probably won’t use selfie photo as the front camera is knownly poor including iphone’s
My friend from Singapore.. they renew their passport online.. receive it within 3 or 4 days.. and pay $15.
Everything in the U.S is a scam.
Why don’t you move?
why don’t you STFU
(>^o^)>
Talk about lies/misinformation. Just went to the Singapore ICA website and it’s about $55 USD to renew a Singapore biometric passport and takes 1-2 weeks.
My wife and I both renewed online a couple of weeks ago. It was incredibly easy and we both received our passports in about one week with regular shipping. Separately, I got 3 new passports for my children and we received those in about two weeks from our appointment at the post office.
Renewed mine last week online and had insanely fast turnaround time. Submitted renewal application online on Friday, 9/13. Passport was in the mail by Monday and delivered by 9/17. Overall very easy and quick process, highly recommend. Crazy to me that it took so long to roll something like this out.
As a DP, the website says not to apply if you have travel within eight weeks. But I had travel planned within 4 weeks and didn’t realize I needed to renew (it was due to the six months expiration going to Europe.) Since four weeks is a bad time to find out you need to renew, I took a chance and did the online renewal process (a month ago, it was still considered in beta.)
Here’s my timeline:
8/28/24: Applied
8/30: Payment was accepted. This seems consistent with people on r/passports that CC payments take about 48 hours to process.
9/3: Got an “in process” email.
9/5: Got approved, shipped, and estimated arrival date was 9/7.
However, I paid for the faster shipping (only $21 for more peace of mind), and I received my new passport on 9/6. So in total it took 10 days/7 business days, INCLUDING Labor Day.
Super convenient, didn’t have to mail in my old passport, would recommend.
No express shipping for me, received mine in 10 calendar days. I’ve heard others receive it in 7.
Yep I’ve seen reports on r/passports saying the express shipping doesn’t make a difference.
Given the time crunch I was willing to pay it even if it was useless (again, for peace of mind.)
what if you lost your passport
Be the data point you want to see
This happened to my brother, he had to apply as a new one rather than renewed.
Maybe include this page in the writeup or pin this comment:
Chuck
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew-online.html
Done