Renewing U.S. passports just got a lot easier.
The State Department rolled out its online passport renewal Wednesday nationwide. It was previously only available on a limited basis during beta testing.
“You can skip the printing and mailing. Renew from the comfort of your home (couch!) completely online, 24/7,” the State Department’s Consular Affairs posted on X Wednesday. “It’s secure, convenient, and ready for you to use.”
However, not all Americans are eligible for the online option.
Can a US passport be renewed online?
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be at least 25 years old.
- Live in a U.S. state or territory.
- Have an existing passport that was valid for 10 years and was issued between 2009 and 2015 or more than 9 years, but less than 15 years from the new application date. It must still be in the applicant’s possession, undamaged, and not reported lost or stolen.
- Be applying for a regular tourist passport.
- Be able to upload a digital photo.
- Pay the renewal fee online using a credit or debit card.
- Not travel abroad for at least 8 weeks from the application date. Existing passports, which do not need to be mailed in, will be canceled while renewals are processing.
What is the cost of renewing a US passport?
Online passport renewals cost the same as renewing by mail: $130 for a passport book with standard shipping.
Want a European stamp in your passport?Time is running out
How long are passport renewals taking in the US right now?
While some online renewals were processed within just a few weeks during the beta period, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma said Tuesday, “It won’t necessarily be faster.”
As of Wednesday, the expected processing times for both online and mail-in renewals were listed at six to eight weeks, according to the State Department’s website.
Contributing: Zach Wichter, USA TODAY; Doyinsola Oladipo, Reuters