FYI: US passport online renewal

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preach
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FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by preach »

Sometime earlier this year, don't know when exactly, the State department made available the option to renew your US passport entirely online. This assumes you have your existing passport available and can upload a picture of yourself.

I went this route recently and for $130, my passport was delivered to my door in 1 week! 1 week from the time I submitted everything to having a brand new passport at my door, no expedited processing fees paid, nothing else. That's real fast in my opinion.

If you are going to be renewing yours soon, I would very much recommend going the online route.
Walkitoff
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by Walkitoff »

It took us two weeks in November - quite the delay from your experience. Super easy. Had to retake our photos as the app said too much body but that took an extra 5 minutes. Again - super easy and fast.
p1db
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by p1db »

The State Department's online passport renewal program, which was initially piloted in 2022, is now fully accessible to the public. It is very convenient now.
Blake7
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by Blake7 »

The only thing I’d like to see is the option to get a first passport card if you are renewing your passport online, or a first passport if you are renewing your passport card online. This option is limited to the snail mail method only at this time. Other than that, the online renewal is great.
stan1
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by stan1 »

Online passport requests and Global Entry biometrics are game changers for efficient border crossing.
Privacy concerns maybe not so much, but quick passports and walking through immigration and border control are wonderful.

We went through UK entry at Heathrow last summer, likewise took a few seconds with a passport scan and photo done at an entry gate with a small kiosk attached so it is one stop.
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Silentnight
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by Silentnight »

I'm no good at taking selfies. What are the instructions for taking your own photo yourself?

I would probably prefer just going to Walgreens. I assume there are simple instructions for uploading such a pic?
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Tim_in_GA
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by Tim_in_GA »

I submitted my renewal online on 11/22 and my passport shipped 12/2. Pretty quick with a holiday in the middle. But then USPS fumbled the ball and I still don't have it. Looks like it finally appeared at the local USPS hub.
bluebolt
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by bluebolt »

Silentnight wrote: Sat Dec 07, 2024 10:16 pm I'm no good at taking selfies. What are the instructions for taking your own photo yourself?

I would probably prefer just going to Walgreens. I assume there are simple instructions for uploading such a pic?
It can't be a selfie, though you could set up a tripod or some other device and trigger it remotely.

Here are the requirements:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel ... photo.html
neilpilot
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by neilpilot »

Silentnight wrote: Sat Dec 07, 2024 10:16 pm I'm no good at taking selfies. What are the instructions for taking your own photo yourself?

I would probably prefer just going to Walgreens. I assume there are simple instructions for uploading such a pic?
When Walgreens takes your passport photos, then will also send you a digital photo at no additional charge.
Last edited by neilpilot on Sun Dec 08, 2024 8:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Tabulator
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by Tabulator »

Rather than uploading a picture, does the online method allow submitting a picture via snail mail?
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RJC
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by RJC »

This is great news as I have to renew soon. Thank you OP for posting.
BogleTaxPro
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by BogleTaxPro »

Tabulator wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 10:15 am Rather than uploading a picture, does the online method allow submitting a picture via snail mail?
No. Per https://travel.state.gov/content/travel ... photo.html:
When you renew your passport online, you will need to upload a digital photo. This process is different than renewing by mail when you staple a photo to your application. 
Tabulator
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by Tabulator »

They let us use Login.gov! Feels like progress.
Tabulator
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by Tabulator »

BogleTaxPro wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 10:21 am will need to upload a digital photo
They want a "compression ratio" less than 20:1. I'm guessing that means they want quality, but I really have no idea.
biscuit5
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by biscuit5 »

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Last edited by biscuit5 on Mon Dec 09, 2024 4:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
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uaeebs86
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by uaeebs86 »

The online system will send you a link that you can use to take the picture with your cell phone and then upload. They provide instructions for background and positioning.

My wife and I took each other's pictures this way and our passports renewed very quickly (2 weeks for me, 3 weeks for her). No separate app needed. They specifically say no scanned in photos.
"Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out." ― John Wooden
Tabulator
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by Tabulator »

Do they allow a photo from a professional passport studio?
uaeebs86 wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:21 pm The online system will send you a link that you can use to take the picture with your cell phone and then upload. They provide instructions for background and positioning.

My wife and I took each other's pictures this way and our passports renewed very quickly (2 weeks for me, 3 weeks for her). No separate app needed. They specifically say no scanned in photos.
cmr79
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by cmr79 »

I could absolutely not get the site to accept any photo we took, no matter the lighting or background color. Maybe I need to re-attempt as others seem to have had more success. I had planned (but hadn't yet gotten around to) getting a professional passport photo like before.
barnaclebob
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by barnaclebob »

Yep, my wife got hers renewed really quick. Even mail in via a passport processing office for my daughter's first passport came back within 2 weeks. Also got her birth cert back about a week after that. Good to see that at least one area of our govt is working very well for the time being.
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uaeebs86
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by uaeebs86 »

Tabulator wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2024 8:50 am Do they allow a photo from a professional passport studio?
uaeebs86 wrote: Sun Dec 08, 2024 9:21 pm The online system will send you a link that you can use to take the picture with your cell phone and then upload. They provide instructions for background and positioning.

My wife and I took each other's pictures this way and our passports renewed very quickly (2 weeks for me, 3 weeks for her). No separate app needed. They specifically say no scanned in photos.
If you get a digital copy (don't scan in the photo) that should work as well.
"Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out." ― John Wooden
flyingcows
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by flyingcows »

Our kids passports expired recently and we would like to get them new ones, I think for kids under 18 the only option is an in person appointment right?
Topic Author
preach
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by preach »

flyingcows wrote: Mon Dec 09, 2024 9:01 pm Our kids passports expired recently and we would like to get them new ones, I think for kids under 18 the only option is an in person appointment right?
Yes
nanciT
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by nanciT »

We also just applied online, it was simple. The photo needed to be taken by another person( no selfie) but once uploaded they either clear it or ask for another. We both had our passport back in 1 week! It was great!
lostcoast2023
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by lostcoast2023 »

Its interesting how widely the approval times vary. I have seen quiet a few reports of people getting renewals in a week, but others are still taking 3-4 weeks.

Any ideas what causes some to take longer? Does it just depend on which staff member is assigned to review your application? Places you have traveled? Do they need to validate your identity again and the process is more automated for residents of some states?
lillypie
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by lillypie »

I also just got my online renewal to my door in one week, no expedite. My husbands has not delivered yet, but I would expect it soon. I stressed too much over the photo. We took it against a white flat door using my cell phone.
eddot98
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by eddot98 »

Passport renewal time frame, not done online. Non priority, no extra fees.
Mailed in applications and old passports by USPS Priority Mail on 1/2/2025.
Checks cashed 1/12/2025.
Passports received 1/30/2025.
deltaneutral83
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by deltaneutral83 »

Interesting, does Walgreens and the like actually charge for a digital photo if you spend other $ there? Last time I had to get a passport, I had to call this voicemail, then they called me back, scheduled an appointment at the PO which was like 4 weeks later, then I showed up, and had to pay them with a money order, which they were glad to provide at my cost, they didn't accept cash! I was laughing at the process, I guess they've shored it up.
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physics911
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by physics911 »

I am very glad to hear it is a much better process now. I did mine a year and a half or so ago when they were piloting it, and it was a bloody mess. Nearly cost me my vacation. They shut it down for some time back then, and it sounds like the reworked version is doing much better.
50% Total US, 20% Total ex US, 30% Total US Bond
Yooper
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by Yooper »

eddot98 wrote: Thu Jan 30, 2025 12:21 pm Passport renewal time frame, not done online. Non priority, no extra fees.
Mailed in applications and old passports by USPS Priority Mail on 1/2/2025.
Checks cashed 1/12/2025.
Passports received 1/30/2025.
Seems hit and miss. Submitted mine online the 3rd of January and tracking says it should be here Monday the 3rd of February. Same thing, non priority or extra fees.
JohnD.
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Re: FYI: US passport online renewal

Post by JohnD. »

Did ours via mail last year and turned them around from submission to receipt of new Passports in three weeks.
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