Get ready to renew your US passport online, though there is a catch

In a move that is aimed at easing convenience for US citizens seeking to renew their passports, the US State Department has announced a pilot project to facilitate online renewal of passports. This will enable Americans to apply for a passport from the comfort of their homes without having to step out and submit the forms physically. There are many requirements for this process and not all are eligible. Further, there will be a limit on the number of applications which are accepted every day.

Pilot Project:
This online portal will open up every day at 1pm EST and shall close when the department reaches its daily threshold. There will be a limited number of applications that are accepted as the department seeks to monitor the progress before launching it on a permanent basis. It is expected to last several months for the time being.
The US State Department had launched a similar initiative in 2021 after president Joe Biden signed an executive order permitting it. In 2021, over 500,000 Americans had applied for a passport through this online portal.

Requirements:
There are 10 requirements which have been mandated by the State Department before THE applicants can apply for the passport online.

They are the following: being over 25 years of age and having a passport that was valid for 10 years, must be renewing a passport that was issued between 2009 and 2015 or between 9 to 15 years from the date the application is submitted, applicants cannot change their personal details such as name, age, gender, date of birth and place of birth.

Further, applicants cannot travel abroad for a period of at least 8 weeks after submitting the form, they cannot renew a special issuance passport, must be living in the US, passport cannot be damaged, must be willing to pay for the renewal, must upload a digital photo, the current passport may be cancelled before issuing the fresh passport.

Those who do not meet the criteria can still apply through mail or at a passport agency. Those who meet the requirements can create an account on the US State Department page and fill the form and apply online.

FAQs:

1. Is the passport renewal in the US free of cost?
Applicants will have to pay to get their passports renewed. It will cost $130 to renew a passport book and $160 will be the cost for a book and a card.

2. Will the online renewal of passport be quicker?
It will take the same time as offline renewals. However, it will be convenient as the applicant need not step out of their home to renew the passport.


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