Department of State Announced on Wednesday In the latter half of the 20th century, a new online passport renewal system was fully rolled out to the public.
The new proposal replaces the previous method of printing a paper application and mailing it in with a check. The State Department has declared the online renewal system “secure” and says it will save travelers time and headaches.
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Click on the online portal (Travel.State.Gov/renewonline) takes users through a seven-step process (eight steps if they choose to sign up for email updates). One of the highlights of the new process is the option to upload a digital photo (no more paying at the pharmacy or post office!). No selfies, though.
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Another important note: Online renewal is only available if you have more than 8 weeks of travel ahead of you. If you plan to travel 3-8 weeks away, mail renewal is the preferred method, and if you need your passport within 3 weeks, you will need to go in person.
Moving the renewal process online follows other administrative changes at the State Department that promise to increase efficiency for travelers.
According to a State Department statement, “Thanks to increased staffing, technological advancements, and other improvements, typical passport processing times today are approximately one-third shorter than they were at the same time last summer, and significantly shorter than the advertised six-to-eight week processing times.”
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