Americans can now renew their passports online: here's how to do it

Americans will be able to get their passports renewed online this month. The pilot program is currently open to the first 25,000 applicants.

You no longer have to wait for your passport to be sent to the US State Department. A new executive order allows Americans to renew their passports online.

How to apply online to renew your passport

On a first-come, first-served basis, the pilot program opened this month. Travelers must have a passport that is up for renewal in order to apply. A passport that was issued between 2007 and 2013 is set to expire within a year, but it was issued nine years ago. They need to have their passport with them so they don't have to report it as lost or stolen.

The service will allow applicants to pay for the service with a credit/debit card or an automated clearing house. It isn't available for people with a passport book who want a passport card only, or for people with a passport card who want a passport book only.

How long are online processing times?

The service is still in its testing stages and it takes about the same amount of time to process a passport as it does for one that is mailed. If you're traveling in less than five weeks, applying online is not a good idea.

When will the online passport renewal service fully launch?

You might have to snail mail it if you miss out on the pilot program.

The order directs the Department of State to design and deliver a new online passport renewal experience that does not require any physical documents to be mailed, but it will be several weeks before it is available to the general public.

The State Department will use the pilot program to test the system and make sure everything works according to plan. The service will be available to the public in fall 2022.

Why is the service being introduced?

President Joe Biden signed an executive order on December 13 that requires several government agencies to improve their customer experience in order to save time.

"Every interaction between the Federal Government and the public, whether it involves renewing a passport or calling for a status update on a farm loan application, should be seen as an opportunity for the Government to save an individual's time (and thus reduce 'time taxes') and to deliver the level of service that the public expects and deserves," the order stated. 
 

The article was first published about a year ago.