The U.S. Department of State announced on Wednesday (September 18th) that Americans can now renew their passports online, eliminating the need to go through the cumbersome process of printing forms and mailing checks.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared in a statement released by the Department of State on Wednesday: “The U.S. Department of State is fully opening a new online passport renewal system to the public today, taking an important step to ensure that Americans can more easily access passport services. Now, Americans no longer need to print paper application forms and mail them with a check, but can instead update their passports through a time-saving and efficient secure process.”
The statement highlighted that by offering this online alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department of State is undergoing digital transformation to provide the most efficient and convenient passport renewal experience possible. It mentioned that due to increased staff, technological advancements, and various other improvements, the time required to process routine passport applications is now approximately one-third of what was needed around the same time last summer, significantly lower than the previously advertised six to eight-week processing time.
The Department of State launched a public beta version of this new system in June, which is now available for use 24/7.
The new system is applicable for adult passport holders whose passports have expired within the past five years or will expire within the next year, but does not apply to child passport renewals, first-time passport applications for those residing outside the U.S., or expedited applications.
It is estimated that around 5 million Americans will be able to utilize this service annually. In 2023, the Department processed a total of 24 million passports, with approximately 40% being renewal services.
The current passport processing fees remain unchanged, with the current fee for routine passport renewal being $130.
It is expected that this new measure will effectively alleviate the current prolonged delays in passport application processing at the Department of State, primarily caused by staff shortages following the outbreak of the pandemic.
In his statement, Blinken expressed, “We will continue to seek ways to reduce administrative barriers throughout the passport application process, enhancing efficiency, fairness, and accessibility. We are committed to ensuring that the American public can seamlessly access passport services and making our new online process the best tool possible. We encourage Americans to apply.”