Your Questions About Online Passport Renewal, Answered

Caroline Morse Teel is the Executive Editor for SmarterTravel Media. Caroline has a passion for adventure travel and has hiked to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and the bottom of the Grand Canyon in pursuit of a good story. Follow her around the world on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline.

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Carol is an editor with SmarterTravel Media, specializing in travel writing, multimedia production, and trying every local cuisine she can find. You can follow her journeys @cj_mcpherson on Instagram.

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Renewing a US passport is an archaic process. You have to obtain a printed photo, write a check or money order, and then package up all your forms and old passport and go to the post office to mail it—and then cross your fingers that your important and sensitive documents don’t get stolen or lost in the post.

After all that, you then have to wait for the State Department to receive your application (which can take up to two weeks depending on where you mail your package from) before the estimated 8-11 week wait time to process and approve your new passport begins.

Fortunately, the US government has embraced technology and as of this week will allow travelers to renew their passports online. A spokesperson for the State Department told SmarterTravel, “Our new online system will save Americans money, time, and effort, making it much more convenient to renew their passports.”

Close up of a US passport renewal form with a pencil on top — rosinka79 | Adobe Stock

Who Can Renew a Passport Online?

You can renew your passport online if you meet the following conditions:

Renewing a passport that was valid for 10 years
Age 25 or older
Most recent passport was issued over 9 years ago but less than 15 years ago
People who live in the United States

Who Can’t Renew Their Passport Online?

You will not be eligible to renew your passport online if:

You’re changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth
You’re traveling internationally in less than 8 weeks from the date of the application
You do not have your old passport in your possession (because it was lost or stolen)
You’re under 25 years old
Your passport was issued more than 15 years ago
Your are renewing a passport that was only valid for 5 years (passports issued to minors under 16 years old)

How Much Will Online Passport Renewal Cost?

Online passport renewals will cost the same as standard passport renewals. However, unlike with mailed applications, you can pay any fees with a credit card (and get those credit card miles for travel). You’ll also save money on postage (which can be significant if you want tracking to ensure your package arrived safely).

Where Can I Get Digital Copies of My Passport Photo?

To renew online, applicants must upload their passport photo as a digital file. Photos must be unedited. Scanned photos and selfies will not be accepted. Your digital photo must be:

Taken within the last six months
At least 600 x 600 pixels
In JPEG format
In color
No smaller than 54 kilobytes and no larger than 10 megabytes
High-resolution (see further rules and suggestions regarding image compression on the State Department website)

Many stores offer passport photo services, but not all will provide a digital copy of the images. CVS will send a digital copy of your passport photo to your email for $3.99 on top of the typical $16.99 passport photo service charge while Walgreens includes a free digital copy in its $16.99 price.

While many people prefer the guarantee that their store-bought photo will meet all government requirements, budget-conscious travelers can also opt to take their own passport photo at home. Check out our how-to guide for the most up-to-date sizing and requirements.

How Do I Submit an Online Passport Application?

Travelers can apply to renew their passport through their MyTravelGov account. To create an account, simply sign up with your personal email, create a password, and choose from the required two-factor authentication options. From there, click on “Renew Your Passport” and complete the application within thirty days of beginning.

Applicants do not need to mail in their old passport but be warned—old passports will be immediately deactivated upon submission. Furthermore, other than skipping the time applications would have spent in the mail before reaching the Processing Center, processing times for online renewal are the same as mail-in applications. Online submission takes the hassle out of applying for a renewal but don’t count on it to shorten your wait time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Renewal

Close up of hand holding a US Passport in front of a window in an airport looking out over planes on the tarmac — kieferpix | Adobe Stock

When should I renew my passport?

Many countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after a traveler’s date of departure from the destination and some also require at least one blank page on the passport for the entry stamp. Even if your passport will be valid for the duration of your trip, it may need to be renewed to meet these requirements. Check the State Department website for information on your destination.

Can I renew my passport card online?

Yes, you can renew a passport book, card, or both online. However, applicants can only renew documents they already have in their possession—they cannot apply for a new document. For example, travelers who only have a passport card but would like to apply for a passport book cannot do so online.

Does my old passport need to be expired to renew my passport?

You can renew your passport before your old passport expires, however your old passport will be immediately deactivated upon submission of the application.

Do I need to renew my passport if I move?

You do not need to renew or update your passport with a change of address if you move.

How long is my passport valid for?

Passports issued to minors under 16 years of age are only valid for 5 years, while passports issued to those over 16 years of age are valid for 10 years.

Do I need a passport if I have a REAL ID?

Travelers must have a passport to travel internationally. You cannot travel internationally with just the REAL ID. To learn more about the REAL ID and what it can and cannot do, check out our article Everything Travelers Need to Know About the REAL ID Act.

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