Passport renewals go digital to ease wait times for American travelers

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Passport renewal is finally joining the 21st Century and going digital, easing the frustrations of travelers previously stuck in a paper-only process.

Passport processing should be faster than the six- to eight-week wait the State Department currently advertises.

“We continue to find ways to reduce administrative barriers and improve efficiency, equity, and accessibility throughout the passport application process,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in aWednesday statement.
State of play: Renewals are currently being processed in one-third the time that they were at this point last summer, Blinken said.

Increased staffing and technological advancements have helped reduce delays.

The prior paper-only renewal system was plagued by delays, frustrating travelers.

To renew online, a passport holder must:

Have had a passport that was valid for 10 years; issued between 2009 and 2015 or between nine and 15 years from the application date.

Be 25 or older, not need to change personal information and live in the U.S.

Not have travel plans within eight weeks.

Apply for a regular (tourist) passport.

Be in possession of their non-damaged passport.

Upload a digital photo and pay online.

Expedited service is not offered for online renewals.

First-time passport applicants will need to apply via mail.

Children cannot renew online.

Special issuance passports (diplomatic, official or service) cannot be renewed online.

The online passport renewal rollout falls within an executive order from President Biden focused on rebuilding trust in government by improving federal customer service experiences, Blinken said.

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