U.S. citizens can now renew their passports online, bypassing the often slow and cumbersome mail-in process.
The State Department announced Wednesday that its new online passport renewal system is fully operational, aiming to significantly reduce wait times and improve convenience.
Jenny Kane/AP Photo
“By offering this online alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department is embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient passport renewal experience possible,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
The shift to online renewals comes in response to widespread delays that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staffing shortages at passport processing centers led to significant backlogs, frustrating travelers who waited months for their documents. In the aftermath, the State Department has worked to address these issues by ramping up hiring and implementing technological improvements.
These efforts have already started to pay off. The department reports that wait times have been cut by about one-third compared to last year. Most passport applications are now processed in less than the previously advertised six to eight weeks. This helped the department to issue a record 24 million passports to U.S. citizens in 2023. The online system is expected to further increase passport numbers as well as further reducing wait times.
Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo
The launch of the online renewal platform is part of a broader push by the federal government to digitize services and make them more accessible to the public. Other government services, like tax filings and Social Security applications, have been moved online in recent years as part of this effort.
However, not all applicants will be able to use the new system. First-time passport applicants and those making significant changes, such as updating their name, must still go through the traditional paper process. Additionally, passports issued more than 15 years ago will also need to be renewed via mail.
The State Department encourages travelers to apply well in advance of any planned trips, as processing times can still vary depending on demand. With the new system in place, renewing passports is expected to become faster, more efficient, and more convenient for millions of Americans.
For those looking to take advantage of the new system, applications can be submitted through the State Department’s secure website at www.Travel.State.Gov/renewonline. With this new feature in place, the department is aiming to make the passport renewal process faster, more efficient, and more in line with modern technological standards.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
