MAY 11, 2022 – Active-duty, reserve and retired service members; and Defense Department civilians, contractors and their families can now renew their U.S. passports online, according to the State Department.
The online portal enables customers to renew their passports 24/7 without having to go to a post office to mail their application and supporting documents, an official said.
The requirements include:
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older.
- The most recent passport is valid or must have been valid for 10 years. It’s OK if the passport is expired.
- The passport was issued over nine years ago (2013 or earlier) from the renewal date but no earlier than 15 years ago (2007).
- No changes were made with respect to name, gender or other personal information, such as date or place of birth.
- No travel internationally can be made within five weeks of the date the application is submitted. The State Department will offer routine (8-11 weeks) and expedited processing times (5-7 weeks).
- Online applications may be for a passport book only; passport cards may not be requested online.
- Applications must be for regular (tourist) passports only. Special issuance diplomatic or official passports may not be renewed online.
- Applicants must live in the U.S. in either a state or territory. An applicant cannot be stationed at an overseas post in a foreign country or have an APO or FPO address.
- Several people stand in line outside a U.S. post office.
- Applicants must have their current passport in their possession. It cannot be damaged, mutilated, or previously reported as lost or stolen.
- Applicants must agree that their most recent passport will be immediately invalidated and cannot be used for international travel.
- An applicant must have access to a credit/debit card or a bank account with automated clearing house payment capabilities to pay for passport renewal fees.
- Applicants must upload a digital photo in the .JPEG file format.
- Applicants who don’t meet all requirements may still be eligible to renew by mail or in-person, the official said.
The first step for those interested must preregister on the State Department’s form. The State Department will send a confirmation email with more instructions within 1-2 days after preregistration.
Preregistration does not obligate those interested to renew online. Registrants will receive email updates and a customized link based on a registrant’s individual email address to access the online portal.
Interested parties will have the flexibility to renew online through June 30, 2022, the official said.
For any additional information, contact the State Department at pptmandi@state.gov.
BY DAVID VERGUN, DOD NEWS