Can you renew online? Yes, you can: Online passport renewal is now widely available
Editor's Note
After launching a pilot program in late 2022, the U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday the online passport renewal system is now fully available to Americans who wish to renew passports online.
"Our online passport renewal system is an important example of how the Department is modernizing government services for the benefit of Americans," Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said in a press release. "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."
If you want to renew your passport online, you can do so at travel.state.gov/renewonline, but here are the details you need to know before you renew.
Status of online passport renewal program
Since the initial launch to only 25,000 applicants in 2022, the department has conducted limited pilot programs for additional applicants.
According to a senior State Department official, the agency processed more than 565,000 passports through the pilot program before the agency closed the portal March 8, 2023. Online passport renewal processing resumed nearly a year and a half later with the rollout of an improved beta program following improvements to the consumer experience.
As of Wednesday, the online passport renewal program is now open to all eligible U.S. citizens who want to save time (and a stamp) and renew online.
How to renew your passport online
First, it's important to know that processing times for online passport renewals are the same as those renewed by mail, which is currently six to eight weeks for routine service. Online passport renewal cannot be expedited.
"Thanks to increased staffing, technological advancements, and a host of other improvements, the average routine passport is being processed today in roughly one-third the time as at the same point last summer, and well under the advertised six to eight weeks processing times," Blinken said in the press release.
To renew online, you must meet specific qualifications, including being at least 25 years old. This means children are not eligible for online passport renewal.
Applicants must also renew a passport previously valid for 10 years, issued between 2009 and 2015, and set to expire within one year. Those wishing to change their name, gender, or date or place of birth on their next passport cannot do so online.
Additionally, those with international travel plans within the next eight weeks should not attempt to renew online since processing times for the online renewal service will be the same as those for renewal by mail.
Once you confirm you meet eligibility requirements, you must log in or create an account on the MyTravelGov homepage, where you will click on the “Renew Your Passport” link to begin your application.
Travelers can renew passport books and cards online for the same fees as non-online renewals: $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card and $160 for a passport book and card.
“Please note if you have a passport book and want a passport card only, OR if you have a passport card and want a passport book only, you cannot renew online,” according to the State Department.
Once your passport renewal application is pending, your most recent passport will be electronically invalidated.
To complete the application, you must upload a JPEG photo of yourself. Apps such as Passport Booth can help you do so.
Bottom line
The new online passport renewal program follows an executive order by President Joe Biden in December 2021, which directed the agency to implement a new online passport renewal experience that doesn’t require physical documents to be mailed.
Applicants should receive regular email updates about the status of their applications, as non-online applicants do.
If you are eligible to renew your passport online, you can do so by visiting travel.state.gov/renewonline.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.