Can you Renew a US Passport Online?

Yes you can!
(Maybe)

UPDATE 2025:

After analyzing the results of the pilot program, the availability to renew your passport online has been extended to all who qualify.

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Renewing your US passport just got easier – for some people.  A couple of years ago, the U.S. Department of State began a pilot program testing out an online renewal service.  While limited in scope, it gave some people the opportunity to renew their passport online and avoid the hassle of getting passport pictures taken and waiting in line to send everything off by mail.

The good news is, the scope has widened and anyone who meets the requirements is able to renew online.  This is now one of the permanent ways to renew your US passport.

According to the State Department, you must meet the following 10 qualifications to renew online:

1. Your most recent passport is/was valid for 10 years, and you are age 25 or older.
2. The passport you are renewing is either expiring within one year or has expired less than five years ago.
3. You are not changing your name, sex, date of birth, or place of birth.
4. You are not traveling internationally for at least six weeks from the date you will submit your application. Processing times for the online renewal service will be the same as those for renewal by mail. Expedited service is not available.
5. You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport. You cannot renew a special issuance (diplomatic, official, service) passport online.
6. You live in the United States (either state or territory). You do not qualify to renew online if you live in a foreign country or have an Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) address.
7. You have your passport with you, and it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not previously reported it as lost or stolen.
8. You can pay for your passport using a credit/debit card.
9. You can upload a digital passport photo.
10. You are aware that your most recent passport will be immediately invalidated (canceled) when you submit your application and you cannot use it for international travel.

If you do meet these qualifications, you will have to first create an account at MyTravelGov:

Please note the interface may look a little different now that this process has been updated.  The pictures below are from when one of our staff members tested out the pilot program. No one else in our office is in need of renewal at this time so we can't update the pictures exactly.  The overall process remains the same, however, even if pictures or texts are changed slightly.

Once you create your account, you will receive an email asking you to activate your account.  The link in that email is only valid for 24 hours, so be on the lookout for it!

After your account is activated, you will receive an account confirmation email.  Once you have that email, you will be able to log in to your account on the MyTravelGov page.  Follow the prompts to set up your security information and to update your personal information if necessary.

Each time you log into your account, you will receive an email with a one-time password (OTP Code) for verification purposes. You will need to enter that unique code when prompted.

It can take up to 24 hours for your account to be fully registered.  Until this happens, you will not be able to renew your passport online, and the website will look like this after you log in:

You will not receive an email telling you when this registration process is complete.  You will only know it is complete when you log in and see the option to renew your passport online:

During the application process, you will be asked to:

• Verify you meet all the eligibility criteria (the 10 requirements listed above).
• Provide information from your current passport book and/or card
• Share any upcoming international travel plans (remember, you cannot apply online if you are planning to travel within the next 6 weeks)
• Select which products you would like (book, card, or both), the processing method (regular or expedited – with additional cost), and the delivery method (standard mail or express – with additional cost)
• Provide personal identifying information, address and contact information, and emergency contact information
• Upload a passport photograph (instructions provided on the site)
• Review all your information
• Sign (electronically), submit, and pay for the application

Payment options are only ACH (from your bank account) or credit/debit card. After you pay, you will be taken to a “Payment successful” page:

When you return home, you will see that your application has been submitted.

Within a few days, the status will say “received.”

Current processing times indicate routine service is expected to take 4-6 weeks. Then additional time needs to be added for it to be mailed to you.

This has been a long-anticipated development for ease of international travel.  We are excited the trial phases will proved effective and online renewals have become a permanent fixture.

Stay tuned!