Americans can now renew passports online and bypass cumbersome paper applications

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can now renew their passports online, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper application process that often caused delays. The State Department announced Wednesday (Sept. 18, 2024) that its online passport renewal system is now fully operational. It’s available to adult passport holders whose passport has expired within the past five years or will expire in the coming year. It’s not available for the renewal of children’s passports, for first-time passport applicants for renewal applicants who live outside the United States or for expedited applications. The current process had required people to print out and send paper applications and a check by mail.