Once Upon a Time, You Could Renew Your Passport Online. Here’s Why That’s No Longer Possible

For Americans eager to explore the world, renewing a passport is a common task—the booklets expire every 10 years or when the blank pages run out, whichever happens first.

Despite living in a technology-driven era, passport renewals haven’t kept pace. Currently, Americans must renew their passports by mail, as online renewal is not an option.

In December 2021, President Biden signed an executive order to simplify the passport renewal process. A fact sheet about this order mentioned: “Americans will soon be able to renew their passports online securely, eliminating the wait and the hassle of printing, visiting a post office, and using paper checks. This new online procedure will prioritize safety and security.”

In August 2022, the State Department initiated a pilot program that permitted eligible volunteers (at least 25 years old, renewing a passport issued between 2007 and 2013, and renewing a passport set to expire within one year or already expired) to test an online passport renewal portal. Over 500,000 individuals participated in the program before it was paused on March 8, 2023, although some users reported issues with the system.

As stated on the State Department’s website, the online renewal service trial has been paused to “implement enhancements based on customer feedback.” The site also expresses anticipation for the improved application’s nationwide rollout.

However, a specific date for a permanent rollout has not yet been revealed, despite about 200 Congress members having signed a letter in May 2023 urging the Bureau of Consular Affairs for greater transparency on this issue.

With general passport wait times returning to pre-pandemic standards—standard applications processed in six to eight weeks and expedited ones in two to three weeks—the State Department may now be able to focus more on launching online passport renewals. Until that happens, those needing to renew must still mail an application, two passport photos, their most recent passport, and a check for $130 (or $100 for applicants under 16) to the National Passport Processing Center.