Most U.S. adults can now renew a passport entirely online — no DS-82 form, no envelope, no check. You upload a photo, pay $130 by card, and track status online. Requirements: your last passport was 10-year validity, issued within the last 15 years, you're 25+, and it's undamaged in your possession. Routine processing runs ~4-6 weeks; expedited is not available online.
Who can renew online
The State Department opened online renewal to the general public in late 2024 after a two-year pilot. It's now the default path for most routine renewals — roughly 60% of renewals qualify.
- Your most recent passport is/was valid for 10 years
- Issued within the last 15 years (and after your 16th birthday)
- It's undamaged and in your possession (not lost or stolen)
- You're 25 or older
- Name is the same — or you can document the change online
- You live in the U.S. (online renewal isn't available abroad)
- You don't need to travel within the next 6-8 weeks
The process in 4 steps
- Create or sign in to your MyTravelGov account at the official State Department portal
- Upload a digital photo — must meet passport photo rules (see our photo requirements guide); a compliant phone photo works
- Pay online — $130 passport book, $30 card, $160 both, charged immediately by card
- Done — you keep your old passport while the new one is produced; it's invalidated when the new one ships
Processing runs about 4-6 weeks routine — the same as mail renewal. There is currently no expedited option online, which is the system's one real weakness.
Online vs. mail renewal (DS-82)
| Online renewal | DS-82 by mail | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | 10-yr passport, undamaged, age 25+ | Same, plus name changes with documents |
| Paperwork | None — no forms, no printing | Print form, get a check/money order |
| Photo | Digital upload | Staple 2 printed photos |
| Payment | Card online | Check or money order only |
| Expedited | **Not available** | $60 expedited + 2-3 weeks |
| Keep old passport | Yes, until new one ships | No — mailed in with application |
Need your passport faster?
APVI is a State Department-registered courier that can turn around a new or renewed U.S. passport in days, not weeks.
The catch: no expedited online
If your trip is inside 6-8 weeks, online renewal is not your path. Online is routine-only, and routine currently means 4-6 weeks with no way to speed it up mid-process.
Your faster options: mail DS-82 with the $60 expedite fee (2-3 weeks), an urgent-travel passport agency appointment (proof of travel within 14 days), or a registered courier that hand-delivers your application — the fastest legal option at 24-72 hours.
Common rejection triggers
- Photo fails requirements — glasses, shadows, filters, or wrong size. The system runs automated checks before a human ever sees it
- Passport is older than 15 years or was a 5-year child passport → DS-82 or DS-11 instead
- Damaged passport (water, torn pages, unofficial markings) → must apply in person with DS-11
- Reported lost/stolen, even if later found → DS-11 in person
What it costs
$130 for the book — identical to mail renewal, minus the stamp and the check. There's no convenience fee; the $60 expedite fee simply doesn't exist online. If you're renewing because you also need visas lined up, sort those after the new passport number is issued — some applications (India, China) want the passport number that will travel.
How to Renew Your Passport Online in 2026: Step-by-Step — FAQ
Can I renew my passport online if it expires in 3 months?
Do I have to mail in my old passport for online renewal?
Can I renew a child's passport online?
Is online renewal faster than by mail?
What if my photo gets rejected online?
Related guides
Entry rules change without notice. Always verify with official government sources (travel.state.gov, embassy websites) before booking. Last reviewed November 2026. This page may contain partner links — see our affiliate disclosure.