Planning a trip this summer? Take some time to renew your passport. Today, you can get things done quickly and efficiently, but you have to hurry up to get it done. The U.S. State Department has begun accepting online passport renewals again, but only for those who can complete the renewal quickly.
There are a limited number of slots available for you to renew online each day. The passport renewal application window opens daily at 1pm ET and closes when an unspecified number of people is reached. For example, on Friday, June 14, we found that the window closed at 1:01 PM Eastern Time. It’s been less than two minutes since it opened. These spots fill up quickly, so make sure you have everything you need and jump in so you don’t miss out.
MyTravelGov, the website of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, first launched an online passport renewal service as early as 2022 and set up multiple open windows for the pilot program before closing in March last year. For this beta, a limited number of applicants will be able to apply each day during a “limited Eastern noon time window.”
Learn everything you need to know about your new online U.S. passport renewal, including who is eligible and how to apply. For more travel tips, check out how to use artificial intelligence to plan your trip , how to pack your carry-on perfectly , and how to avoid airline baggage fees .
There are a limited number of people who can apply for U.S. passport renewal each day.
How does the new U.S. online passport renewal system work?
Currently, most U.S. citizens renew their passports by printing and filling out Form DS-82, then mailing the form by check or money order, along with a new passport photo and the renewal fee. The online passport renewal system uses website forms and a payment system that allows credit cards, debit cards, or online ACH transfers.
However, renewing your passport online does not mean you will receive your passport earlier than usual. The U.S. State Department insists on offering “regular service” for passport renewals, whether online or by mail. This means that no matter how you apply, you will receive your new passport within six to eight weeks. If you need your passport earlier than this, you will need to apply by mail and pay an additional $60 expedited service fee.
Who is eligible to renew a U.S. passport online?
The most important qualifying factors for renewing your passport online are:
- You are over 25 years old.
- You live in the United States (state or territory).
- Your current passport is valid for 10 years.
- Your current passport must be at least 9 years old and issued within the past 15 years (2009-2015).
- You still have your existing passport and it is not mutilated or damaged.
In addition to the main eligibility requirements, the State Department provides a further list of restrictions for online renewals:
- You can only renew an ordinary passport online, not a “special issue” passport (such as a diplomatic, service or service passport) online.
- You cannot change your name, gender, place of birth or date of birth from your previous passport.
- You must be able to pay for your online renewal using a credit card, debit card, or ACH transfer.
- You must be able to upload a new passport photo.
- You cannot travel abroad for eight weeks after submitting your online renewal application.
This last restriction is important because your existing passport (if still valid) will be canceled as soon as your online renewal application is accepted.
If you do not meet the eligibility requirements to renew your passport online, you will need to renew it by mail or in person at a passport agency.
If I qualify, how do I renew my U.S. passport online?
MyTravelGov currently accepts a certain number of online passport renewals each day, including weekends, around noon ET. However, multiple news publications, including Thrifty Traveler, report that the window will open daily at 1 p.m. ET.
Before applying for online passport renewal, you will need to create a MyTravelGov account (if you don’t already have one). Visit the MyTravelGov website and click on the blue log in button in the upper right corner and click Create an account. This will begin the process of establishing an account using login.gov, the U.S. federal government’s authentication system.
You’ll then need to enter your email address and the language of your choice—login.gov is available in English, Spanish, and French. After submitting your email address, you’ll need to verify it by clicking a link in the email from login.gov, where you’ll select a password and preferred form of multi-factor authentication.
You will then need to provide personal information for the account, at least your first and last name. Once completed, you should be able to access the online passport renewal page. hit blue start button at the bottom of the page to start your application.
If the online passport renewal application window does not open, you will receive a message that you need to return tomorrow and try again. If you are lucky enough to start applying, you will need the following items:
- Your existing U.S. passport.
- Digital passport photo.
- The credit card, debit card, or bank routing number and account number used for the ACH transfer.
In the first part of the application, you will enter information about your current passport, legal name, and whether you require a passport book, passport card, or both. Next, you’ll update your digital passport photo, and finally your payment information.
After you submit your renewal request, MyTravelGov will send you two verification emails – the first will confirm your pending payment; the second will confirm your payment. The second will confirm payment has been received. One week after applying, you can sign up for email updates about your passport using the Department of State’s online passport status system. You should receive your new passport in the mail within six to eight weeks.
You can update any U.S. passport format you currently hold.
How about renewing your US passport? Card online?
The passport card looks a lot like a U.S. driver’s license and can be carried in your wallet. They allow travel by land or sea from the United States to Canada, Mexico, or Caribbean countries. They do not apply to any international air travel.
You can renew your passport book and passport card online. Basically, you can update any U.S. passport document you currently hold. If you have an old passport book and passport card, you can update them at the same time. If you have one of these, you can only renew that specific file.
