Getting a passport in the US can be quite the rigmarole, but it is about to get a bit simpler as the State Department has announced that online passport renewal is officially available to the public. Secretary of State Antony Blinken credited increased staffing and technological improvements with fueling this advancement and reducing passport waiting times. Until now, applying for a new passport required mailing a printed form, a passport-sized photo, a photocopy of a valid ID, a person’s most recent passport, and a check, or visiting a passport acceptance facility with the necessary documents. However, online passport applications are only available to US residents over the age of 25 whose passports expired after 2019 or will expire in the next year. The new system does not benefit those getting their first passport in more than five years, individuals under 25, expatriates, or those changing their name or gender. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Rena Bitter mentioned that these restrictions could change in the future, and the State Department plans to make this service available to more American citizens in the coming months and years. If eligible, follow the steps for online passport renewal here.
