Americans can now renew their passports online, a significant change from the previous system that required mailing paper forms and often led to delays. The State Department announced on September 18, 2024, that its new online renewal system is fully operational. This service is available to adults whose passports have expired in the past five years or will expire in the next year. However, it does not cover children’s passports, first-time applicants, individuals living outside the United States, or those needing expedited services.

The State Department’s shift to an online system is part of a larger push towards digital transformation aimed at making passport renewals more efficient and convenient. Secretary of State Antony Blinken highlighted this move as a step towards modernizing passport services. The online system is expected to manage about 5 million renewal applications each year, contributing to the total of 24 million passports processed in 2023, with around 40% being renewals. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused staffing shortages and long delays, the department has hired more staff and introduced technological improvements. These changes have already reduced wait times by approximately one-third. Applicants can now bypass the traditional process of mailing forms, photos, and checks, and instead, submit their documents, photos, and payments securely online at travel.state.gov/renewonline. The renewal fee remains at $130. Looking ahead, the department plans to explore expanding this service to include Americans living abroad, second passport renewals, and children’s passports, with ongoing assessments to enhance the system further.