Planning on doing some traveling this summer? Take some time out to renew your passport. You can get it done quickly and efficiently these days – but you’re going to have to hurry to get it done. The US State Department has started accepting online passport renewals once more, but only for those who can get it done fast.
There are a limited number of slots for you to renew online each day. The window for passport renewal applications opens each day at 1 p.m. ET and closes when it reaches an unspecified number. For instance, on Friday, June 14, we found that the window closed at 1:01 p.m. ET. That’s less than a measly than two minutes after it opened. These slots fill up fast, so make sure you have everything you need ready to go and jump in to not miss out.
MyTravelGov — the website for the US State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs — first introduced online passport renewals back in 2022, and had multiple open windows for the pilot program before it shut down in March last year. For this beta release, a certain number of applicants can apply each day during a “limited midday eastern time window.”
Learn everything you need to know about the new online US passport renewals, including who is eligible and how you can apply. For more travel tips, check out how to plan your travel with AI, how to perfectly pack your carry-on luggage and how to avoid airline baggage fees.
A limited number of people can apply for US passport renewals each day.
How does the new US online passport renewal system work?
Most US citizens currently renew their passports by printing and filling out form DS-82, then mailing that form with a new passport photo and a renewal fee in the form of a check or money order. The online passport renewal system instead uses a website form and a payment system that allows credit cards, debit cards or online ACH transfers.
Renewing your passport online doesn’t mean that you’ll receive it any sooner than usual, though. The State Department is sticking to its “routine service” for passport renewals, whether they’re online or by mail. That means you’ll receive your new passport in six to eight weeks, no matter how you apply. If you need your passport sooner than that, you’ll need to apply by mail and pay $60 more for expedited service.
Who is eligible to renew their US passport online?
The most important qualifying factors for renewing your passport online are:
- You are at least 25 years old.
- You live in the US (state or territory).
- Your current passport is or was valid for 10 years.
- Your current passport must be at least 9 years old and have been issued within the last 15 years (2009-2015).
- You still have your existing passport, and it’s not mutilated or damaged.
Along with the main eligibility requirements, the State Department provides a list of further restrictions for online renewal:
- You can only renew regular passports online, not “special issuance” passports (like diplomatic, official or service passports).
- You cannot change your name, gender, place of birth or date of birth from your previous passport.
- You must be able to pay for online renewal using a credit card, a debit card or ACH transfer.
- You must be able to upload a new passport photo.
- You cannot travel internationally for eight weeks after submitting your online renewal application.
That last restriction is important because your existing passport, if still valid, will be immediately canceled as soon as your online renewal application is accepted.
If you don’t meet the eligibility requirements for renewing your passport online, you’ll need to renew by mail or in person at a passport agency.
If I’m eligible, how do I renew my US passport online?
Right now, MyTravelGov is accepting a certain number of online passport renewals each day (including weekends) around midday ET. Several news publications, however, including the Thrifty Traveler, are reporting the window will open each day right at 1 p.m. ET.
Before you can apply for an online passport renewal, you’ll need to create a MyTravelGov account, if you don’t already have one. Visit the MyTravelGov website, click on the blue Sign In button in the top-right corner, then click Create an account. This will begin the process of creating an account with login.gov, the US federal government’s authentication system.
You’ll then need to enter an email address and your choice of language — login.gov is available in English, Spanish and French. After submitting your email address, you’ll need to verify it by clicking on a link in an email message from login.gov, after which you’ll choose a password and preferred form of multifactor authentication.
You’ll then need to provide personal information for the account, at minimum your first and last name. Once you’re…
Read More: You Can Renew Your Passport Online, but Only if You Act Quickly