You’d like to travel abroad next year but one thing that’s been holding you back is that your passport will be expiring soon. You’ve been putting off renewing it because you just can’t face the time-consuming and energy-draining process of filling out pages of paperwork, standing in line at your local post office, or getting a new passport photo.
Fortunately, there’s good news on the horizon.
Eventually, nearly everyone will be able to renew their passports online. In the meantime, the U.S. Department of State has launched a beta of its new online renewal process. If you don’t need your passport book or card right away, and you’ve got some patience, you may want to participate.
Before you begin
Before you apply, there are certain requirements you must meet. According to the State Department:
- You must live in the United States (either a state or territory).
- You’re applying for a regular (tourist) passport.
- You still have your current passport.
- The passport you’re renewing must have been valid for 10 years, and you must be age 25 or older. In 2024, the issue year must be between 2009 and 2015.
- You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.
- You are not traveling internationally for at least 8 weeks from the date you will submit your application.
- You must pay for your passport using a credit or debit card or an automated clearing house (ACH) transfer from your bank.
- You can take and upload your own digital passport photo as long as it meets State Department specifications (see Step 2 below).
Once you submit your application, your current passport will be canceled. You will no longer be able to use it to travel internationally.
A limited daily window
Because the online renewal program is in beta stage, only a limited number of password renewals are allowed each day.
According to the State Department, the application window starts at “midday eastern time” on weekdays and closes when the daily application limit has been reached.
In reality, getting admitted may be as difficult as ordering Taylor Swift tickets online.
You may want to try to log on throughout the day and hope that you’ve caught a lucky time. That’s why this process is best if you won’t be needing your passport for a long time.
If you’re still game to try it out, here’s a brief overview of the steps involved.
Step 1: Create an account
You’ll start by creating a MYTRAVEL.GOV account at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/renew-online.html.
You’ll need to provide an email address (a confirmation link will be sent to it), set up a strong password and provide a cell phone number to receive text-based multi-authentication codes.
Once you’ve established your account, you’re ready to try to begin the renewal process, if the daily window is open.
But before you try, there are a few things you should do ahead of time.
- Have your most recent passport handy.
- Have a credit card, debit card or ACH banking information at your side.
- Take a valid new passport photo (see Step 2).
While the application process allows you to save your progress and return to it, there’s no guarantee you’ll automatically be able to log in back to your application if the daily window is closed. You’ll also need to complete the application process within 30 days, or you’ll have to start all over again.
That’s why, if you’re lucky enough to get in, try to get it all done at once.
Step 2: Take your new passport photo
One of the best features of the new system is that you’ll no longer need to go to the post office or a photo store to get a new passport photo.
You can have someone use a phone, tablet or digital camera to take your photo and upload that photo during the application process (don’t use selfies). The photo must meet State Department requirements:
- It must be in color.
- The image of you must be clear (i.e., not fuzzy or blurry)
- The background must be off-white with no shadows, lines, or textures
- You must face the camera straight on with a neutral expression—eyes open, mouth closed. Add a lot of space above your head and around your shoulders to allow for cropping. Head coverings are only permitted for religious purposes.
- The photo must be a high-quality JPEG at least 600x600 pixels in size and a file size between 54 kilobytes to 10 megabytes (the larger the better). The photo can be vertically rectangular (i.e., the typical cell phone photo).
- If you’re editing with photo software, do not use any filters or effects. Save it to the highest quality JPEG setting available with the least amount of compression.
Make sure your photo is saved on the computer or mobile device you’ll be using to go through the renewal application process.
Get more information on photo requirements.
Step 3: Enter your existing passport information
Log in to your MYTRAVEL.GOV account and try to start the online renewal process. If you’re admitted, you’re good to go.
The first step is to enter the information from your existing passport exactly as it’s printed. If there’s been any change in your name, gender, birthdate, or other information, you won’t be able to renew it online.
Note that you can use this process to renew a passport book or card. if you have both, you can renew either or both online. However, you can’t use this process to replace a passport book with a card or vice versa.
Once you enter your information, you’ll be informed immediately whether you can renew your passport online or not. If you can’t, you’ll be able to download an apply-by-mail form.
Step 4: Upload your photo
Assuming your new State Department-compliant photo is ready, you can upload it at this step. You’ll be able to move it around in the designated upload area to position it correctly. Then click “confirm” to submit the photo.
The app will automatically apply cropping to show you what your photo will look like. You should be told immediately if it’s rejected. If it’s accepted, a State Department employee will still need to review it. You’ll be notified by email if you need to take and upload a new photo.
Step 5: Pay for the passport
If you passed all the hurdles so far, you should be able to pay for your new password. The costs are:
- $130 for a passport book renewal
- $30 for a passport card renewal
- $160 for a passport book and card renewal.
You can pay by credit card, debit card or ACH transfer from your bank account (you’ll need to enter its routing number and account number).
Once that’s all done…
Check your email. You’ll first receive a message that your payment is pending. Within three days, you’ll be notified that your payment is processed. After that, you’ll be notified if there are issues with your application or photo.
If all goes well, you should receive your new passport within four to eight weeks.
But hold on to your old passport until your new one arrives, even though you won’t be able to use it.
If you can’t get past the login window…
Don’t worry. The current program is in beta. Once the State Department works out all of the kinks, the online password renewal system should be available all the time.
If you need your passport sooner
This process is best suited for those who won’t be traveling abroad soon. If you need to renew your passport faster than that, the State Department offers other methods to get it faster. But you won’t be able to fulfill your request online.
This article was authored by Chris Gullotti and Jeffrey Briskin. Chris is a financial advisor and Partner with Canby Financial Advisors, a SEC-registered investment adviser. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement by the SEC nor a statement about any skill or training. Chris can be reached at 508.598.1082 or cgullotti@canbyfinancial.com. Jeffrey Briskin is Director of Marketing at Canby Financial Advisors.
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