Renewing Your U.S. Passport Online: What You Need to Know
You’ve been putting off that international trip because your passport is expiring soon. You know you could renew by mail, but printing forms, mailing your passport, and waiting for what seems like forever just feels overwhelming. And then you discovered that if you renew online, your old passport is automatically voided the moment you submit your application—even if it’s still valid. What’s the deal? Let’s break it down.
What Is Online Passport Renewal?
It’s a fully digital system offered by the U.S. Department of State that allows eligible adults to renew a regular 10‑year passport fully online via MyTravelGov, without mailing back the old passport or using DS‑82 forms. The system officially launched in September 2024 and is intended for routine (non‑expedited) renewal.
Despite the same fees—usually $130 for the passport book or $30 for the card and $160 for both—the online pathway eliminates paper processing and typically arrives faster.
Who’s Eligible and What Doesn’t Change?
You can renew online only if everything below applies:
You are at least 25 years old, and your previous passport was valid for 10 years; it must have been issued between 2009 and 2015, or not more than 15 years before your planned submission date
You are not changing your name, gender, date or place of birth since your last passport issuance.
You currently live in the United States or a U.S. territory (online renewal is not available if you live abroad or have an APO/FPO/DPO address).
You possess your most recent passport, it is undamaged, and you have not reported it lost or stolen.
You can pay with a credit or debit card and upload a digital passport‑compliant photo.
You do not plan international travel within about 8 weeks of submitting your application—expedited service is not supported online.
If you don’t meet all these requirements, you must use the mail‑in DS‑82 or in‑person DS‑11 renewal process.
When Should You Renew Online?
Online renewal is a smooth, home‑based option—ideal when you meet the eligibility criteria and aren’t planning to travel soon. According to official recent processing updates, routine renewals now take about 4 to 6 weeks, and many people—especially in early 2025—received their passport in about 10 to 20 calendar days, thanks to system upgrades and more staff support.
You can also start the application, then save and finish it later—though you must submit it within 30 days of starting it.
What Happens After You Hit Submit?
This is the part that surprises most people. Reddit users consistently report that the moment you submit the online application, the State Department automatically cancels your old passport, even if it still has time left before expiration. You keep the physical document, but it can no longer be used for international travel.
So even though you hold onto your passport, it acts as a signed statement that you’ve already surrendered it electronically to the Department of State. Therefore, international travel is not possible until your new passport arrives.
If your old passport includes valid visas, make sure to scan or photocopy the visa pages before applying—as they become unusable once the application is submitted.
How to Renew Online: A Step‑by‑Step Guide
Go to MyTravelGov via the Department of State’s website and sign in (Login.gov credentials required).
Click "Renew Your Passport". The system confirms your eligibility; if daily slots are full, you may need to try again later in the day—most rollouts start around Eastern Time midday.
Complete the online form: include passport number, date of issue, expiration date, and upload a compliant digital photo (plain background, .jpeg style compliant).
Pay with your debit or credit card; only U.S. billing addresses are accepted.
When you click Submit, your old passport is immediately canceled.
Choose to receive email status updates (in process → approved → shipped). The new passport is sent via USPS Priority Mail once approved. Typical delivery is within 1–3 business days after shipping.
Bottom Line
You can renew your U.S. passport online if you meet strict eligibility requirements, and it’s a streamlined—often faster—alternative to mail. The only trade‑off is that your previous passport becomes void the instant you submit your application, which means you cannot travel internationally for approximately 6–8 weeks (or slightly longer, depending on mail).
If you may need to travel in the next several weeks, stick with the traditional mail-in DS 82 (possibly expedited) or schedule an appointment at a regional passport agency.
Once you decide to go online, treat submission like an electronic surrender. You no longer hold two valid passports—instead, your old one is now evidence of renewal, not for travel.
Know Your Rights. Speak Up. Fly Fair.
Planning ahead—and keeping that cancelled passport in a safe place—will help you stay ready for your next adventure.