Passport renewals go digital to ease wait times for American travelers

• "We continue to find ways to reduce administrative barriers and improve efficiency, equity, and accessibility throughout the passport application process," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Wednesday.

State of play: Renewals are currently being processed in one-third the time that they were at this point last summer, Blinken said.

• Increased staffing and technological advancements have helped reduce delays.
• The prior paper-only renewal system was plagued by delays, frustrating travelers.

The fine print: To renew online, a passport holder must:

• Have had a passport that was valid for 10 years; issued between 2009 and 2015 or between nine and 15 years from the application date.
• Be 25 or older, not need to change personal information and live in the U.S.
• Not have travel plans within eight weeks.
• Apply for a regular (tourist) passport.
• Be in possession of their non-damaged passport.
• Upload a digital photo and pay online.

Caveat: Expedited service is not offered for online renewals.

• First-time passport applicants will need to apply via mail.
• Children cannot renew online.
• Special issuance passports (diplomatic, official or service) cannot be renewed online.

Between the lines: The online passport renewal rollout falls within an executive order from President Biden focused on rebuilding trust in government by improving federal customer service experiences, Blinken said.

Go deeper:

• Business travel is booming back
• Passport ranking 2024: The countries with most and least visa-free travel