U.S. launches online passport renewal portal

The U.S. State Department has launched an online passport renewal system that allows Americans to bypass the traditional mail-in paper process that often leads to delays.

The State Department announced on Wednesday that the digital system is now fully operational after several pilot tests.

It said the digital system is available to adult passport holders whose passports have expired in the last five years or will expire within the next year.

It is not available for the renewal of children’s passports, for first-time passport applicants for renewal applicants who live outside the United States or for expedited applications, the State Department added.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that “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.”

The department disclosed that it has estimates that around 5 million Americans annually will benefit from the new service, noting that in 2023 it processed 24 million passports, 40% of which were renewals.

The introduction of the online platform comes as the State Department continues to recover from pandemic-related staffing shortages that severely delayed passport processing times.

The new online system enables applicants to skip the current process, which requires them to print out and send paper applications, photos and a check by mail, and submit their documents, photos, and payment through a secure website, www.Travel.State.Gov/renewonline.

The existing passport processing fees, which are currently $130 for a regular renewal, will remain unchanged.

Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter, whose bureau oversees passport processing, said the department hopes to expand the programme by including children’s renewals, second passports, and services for Americans living overseas.

“This is not going to be the last thing that we do,” Bitter told reporters. “We want to see how this goes and then we’ll start looking at ways to continue to make this service available to more American citizens in the coming months and years.”