Americans Can Renew Their Passports Online Starting Wednesday, According to Reuters

By Doyinsola Oladipo

NEW YORK – Americans will soon have the option to renew their passports online, as the national rollout of the program begins on Wednesday. This announcement follows a successful two-month beta phase, as confirmed by a U.S. official.

The U.S. Department of State has been working to enhance its capacity to meet the increasing demand for consular services, including passport renewals and travel visa issuance. In response, the department has ramped up hiring, engaged experts, and improved its online platform.

"Tomorrow marks the first time online passport renewal will be available nationwide," announced Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma during a travel conference in New York.

Approximately 200,000 individuals participated in the beta program, and the State Department anticipates that nearly half of passport renewals will be conducted online in the near future.

To qualify for online renewals, applicants must meet certain criteria, including residing in the United States. Additionally, passports that have been expired for more than five years are not eligible for online renewal, according to Verma.

As for processing times, Verma noted, "it won’t necessarily be faster."