How to Renew Your Passport Online

The U.S. Department of State now allows eligible Americans to renew their passports entirely online. This is faster than the paper form process and eliminates the need to mail your current passport. Processing times for online renewals are typically 4 to 6 weeks for routine processing.

You are eligible if: your most recent passport was issued when you were 16 or older, was issued within the last 15 years, is not damaged, and you are not changing your name (or changed it less than a year ago with legal documentation).

Go to travel.state.gov and navigate to the passport renewal section. Create a Login.gov account if you do not already have one. Have your current passport nearby, as you will need the information from it.

During the application, you will upload a passport-quality photo taken within the last 6 months — plain white background, full face, good lighting. You can take it with your phone and use the State Department's photo tool to crop and format it.

The renewal fee is paid by credit or debit card. As of 2026, a passport book renewal costs $130 plus a $35 execution fee. You can add a passport card for $30 more. Track your application status online at travel.state.gov.

Renew your passport at least 6 months before it expires. Many countries require your passport to be valid for 6 months beyond your travel dates, and some airlines will not let you board if it expires too soon.