The U.S. Department of State has announced important information regarding the renewal of American passports.
“Renewing your U.S. passport just got easier with the full launch of the U.S. Department of State’s Online Passport Renewal (OPR) System,” they tweeted Wednesday.
“Forget about printing and mailing forms; now you can do it completely online from the comfort of your home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This process is safe, convenient and accessible,” they added in their message.
Who is eligible for online passport renewal?
The State Department has established certain requirements to be eligible for online passport renewal. Below are the conditions you must meet:
Passport valid for 10 years: The passport you wish to renew must have been issued between 2009 and 2015, meaning it must be between 9 and 15 years old. Additionally, you must be 25 years old or older.
No changes to personal data: You cannot change your name, gender, date or place of birth on the renewal application.
No immediate travel: You cannot have travel plans within the next 8 weeks from the date of submission of your application, as the online renewal service only offers routine service, which has a processing time similar to that of renewal by mail.
Standard passport: You can only renew a regular (tourist) passport. Renewal of specially issued passports such as diplomatic or service passports is not permitted.
Reside in the USA: You must live in the United States or a U.S. territory. If you reside abroad or have an APO/FPO address, you cannot renew online.
Passport in good condition: You must have your passport in physical form and in good condition, without having been reported lost or stolen. Also, do not send it by mail once you submit your online application.
Online payment and digital photo: You must be able to pay by credit or debit card and have a digital photo in .JPEG format. Please note that the photo must be original, not scanned or taken from a printed photo.
Steps to renew your American passport online
If you meet all the above requirements, follow these steps to Renew your passport through the OPR system:
- Create an account: Go to the passport renewal portal and register.
- Start your application: Complete the form with the requested information.
- Enter your most recent passport information: Make sure you have your previous passport information handy.
- Add your travel plans: If you don’t have any upcoming trips (minimum 8 weeks), continue with the process.
- Upload a digital photo: It must be taken by someone else and meet official requirements. Avoid using selfies or scanned photos.
- Sign and pay: Review all information, sign electronically and pay the applicable fee.
- Sign up for updates: You can opt to receive email notifications about the status of your application.
US Passport Renewal by Mail
If you do not meet the requirements for online renewal, you can still opt for renewal by mail, following traditional methods.
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