From Yahoo:
“Americans can now renew their
passports online. Here's how to do it.”
American travelers are now able
to renew their passports online — skipping the mail-in process that has often
caused delays. The State Department on Wednesday announced that the online
renewal system is now fully up and running. “By offering this online
alternative to the traditional paper application process, the Department is
embracing digital transformation to offer the most efficient and convenient
passport renewal experience possible,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said
in a statement. A digital renewal system was previously announced in 2021 via
an executive order from President Biden, but applications were halted
indefinitely in 2023 due to a big backlog. Staffing shortages from the COVID-19
pandemic had caused lengthy delays in passport processing. As a result, the
State Department increased hiring and implemented technological improvements to
help decrease the processing times.
The State Department said more
than 24 million U.S. passport books and cards were issued within a 12-month
period last year, an all-time record high.
What has changed? U.S. citizens who are
25 years or older and have had a passport that has expired within the last five
years or will expire in the coming year won’t have to fill out or print an
application, mail a check, make an appointment or get a new passport photo.
How does it work? If a
traveler meets the requirements set by the State Department, they can renew
their passport online. A person can create an account on the State
Department website to start the renewal process and enter the old passport
information and any upcoming travel plans. Renewers can take their passport
photo with a cellphone and upload it, as long as the image is recent and not a
selfie, and the person is in front of a white background. Online
passport renewals can be paid using a credit or debit card.
What are the requirements to
renew online? Those who want to renew their passport online have to meet
the following requirements, according to the State Department: The
traveler must be U.S. citizens and 25 years or older and must have possession
of the passport that’s being renewed (wasn’t previously reported lost or
stolen). The passport being renewed is or was valid for 10 years. The
passport being renewed was issued by the State Department between 2009 and
2015, or over 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit
your application. There are no changes in name, gender, date of birth or
place of birth for the renewed passport. The traveler must live in a
U.S. state or territory. The person seeking renewal has to be applying
for a tourist passport. Renewals for diplomats, officials or service passports
can’t be completed online. The traveler has to be able to upload a
digital passport photo and pay for the renewed passport using a debit or credit
card. After the online application is submitted, the existing passport
will be canceled and cannot be used for international travel until the person
receives the renewed one.
When can you expect your
passport if you renew online? Routine processing time takes six to eight
weeks, which is the typical amount of time renewal applications take at a
passport agency. It does not include mailing times, according to the State
Department website. However, Blinken also said that the overall time it
takes to renew could be less. “The average routine passport is being processed
today in roughly one-third the time as at the same point last summer, and well
under the advertised six to eight weeks processing times,” he said. Expedited
service and urgent travel service are not available for those looking to renew
online.
^ I see two issues with this new
program. 1 I don’t think many Americans will be able to send a good, valid
Passport Picture to the US State Department that they take themselves, isn’t a
Selfie and is professional and official looking. 2. I don’t understand why you
can’t use the Online Renewal for Expedited Service. I get why you can’t for
Urgent Travel since you have to physically go to a Passport Office, but
Expedited Service should be enabled Online. I am curious to see how many People
use the Online option and how well it will work. ^
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