Thanks to a new program initiated by the US Department of State in September 2024, you can now renew your passport online. And unlike many other “new and improved” government programs, this online renewal process is quick, easy and efficient. You don’t need to print out forms, drop them in the US mail, or worry if you’ve completed everything correctly any more. Now you can bypass the stress, fuss and worry of the paper forms, and renew your passport online.

 

The Photo

Before you renew your passport online, you’ll need to get a digital passport photo taken. This may take a bit of research on your part, depending on where you live. You can’t just go to any place that takes regular passport photos, and you certainly can’t try and convert a standard passport photo to a digital photo. The digital passport photos have very specific requirements, so do not try to take your own at home.

In my area I found that FedEx, Walgreens and CVS take digital passport photos. Some AAA offices also offer this service, but you have to be member to go there. No matter who you choose, it’s best to call ahead to confirm that the digital service is available.

I chose FedEx, because it was the most convenient. They charged $17 for the photo, which they provided on a memory stick. Unfortunately it was a dark stormy day when I went to have my photo taken, and as a result the background was too dark and it didn’t pass muster when I went to upload it. On the plus side, the folks at FedEx happily took another photo for me, and that one received a thumbs-up on my subsequent upload.

Remember to wear dark clothing when you get your passport photo taken. The background is white, and they don’t want you blending in to it. Additionally, glasses, hats or anything that obstructs your face are not allowed. If you are a wheelchair-user, they will also place a white drape over your headrest for your passport photo, so it will blend in to the background (https://emerginghorizons.com/can-my-wheelchair-be-in-my-passport-photo/) . Don’t be offended, as it’s a US State Department regulation.

 

The Process

Once you get your photo taken, you can renew your passport online. And the good news is, it’s really a snap. I’ve had a passport since I was 14, and this was my easiest renewal ever. The instructions say it will take about 40 minutes, but I didn’t rush and it only took me 15 minutes.

The first thing you need to do is to go to https://mytravel.state.gov/s/, then click on “renew your passport”. You will then be prompted to either login or create an account. If you already have an account for Global Entry, you don’t have to create a new account, as you can use the username and password for your Global Entry (login.gov) account.

Once you log in, the process is pretty simple. Just follow the prompts. You will need your full name (as it appears on your passport), your birthplace, your birthdate, your social security number, your address and your passport number. When you are finished entering your information, you will be prompted to upload your digital photo. If your photo doesn’t meet state department specifications an error code will pop up; but if all is well you can continue on and pay the renewal fee with your credit card. And if you get interrupted during the process, your entered data will be saved.

 

The Cost

There’s no extra charge to renew your passport online, and the regular processing fee is $130. The regular processing time is 4-6 weeks (I got mine back in 11 days), but you can also get expedited service (2-3 weeks) for an additional charge. The US Department of State recommends that you renew your passport at least nine months prior to travel, due to processing times. Remember, many countries require a passport that’s valid for at least six months to gain admission. 

And finally, when you renew online you can check on your passport status at https://passportstatus.state.gov/. Just enter your last name, your birthday and your social security number. The status won’t appear for a few days, but after that it will give you a good idea of when to expect your new passport.

 

The Advantages

There are many advantages to online renewal. At the top of the list is that it’s quicker.  Since you don’t have to mail in your application, that cuts down on the time. And by bypassing the US mail — at least one way — there’s less chance of it getting lost in the shuffle.

Additionally, you will know right away if there is a problem with your photo. After I uploaded mine, I knew instantly that the background was too light. If I would of submitted it by mail, I would have to have waited an additional couple of weeks to find that out.

It’s also cheaper to renew online, as you don’t have to pay for postage to mail in your application and your old passport. And when you renew online, you don’t have to print out the forms, which is a time (and money) saver if you don’t have a printer.

Another advantage to renewing online is that you don’t have to submit your old passport with your application. As long as you have your passport number, you’re good to go, even if your original passport is lost or damaged. I always travel with a digital image of my passport, just in case I lose it; so I had all the information I needed at my fingertips.

Finally, when you renew online can subscribe to e-mail updates regarding the progress of your renewal. Not only does this offer peace of mind, but it also gives you a good idea of when you can expect to receive your new passport in the mail The bottom line is, the online renewal process is quicker, cheaper and much more efficient. And it saves paper too!