The photo must be clear, in color, and with your face centered in the frame against a white background. No hats, glasses, or smiling. Look directly into the camera with a neutral expression, without any shadows on your face. No filters or photo editing, even on a bad acne day. Photos must be JPEG files and at least 600 x 600 pixels in size. Only photos that fully comply with our guidelines will be accepted.
How do I submit a request?
First, you need to register for a MyTravelGov account to renew your passport online. Once you have registered by visiting the government website, Renew your passport Enter your email address to create your account, then open your email inbox, find the activation email, and click the link provided.
You will be directed to a page where you can set up two-factor authentication, which is always an important online security step. Once you have set up two-factor authentication, Agree and continue Please create an account and then to complete this process Enter your personal information Enter your name, address and other details in your MyTravelGov profile.
Creating an account is easy, but requires strategic timing for the next step: starting the actual application. According to the State Department website, “We will be limiting the number of applications per day over the next few months. The system will be open for a limited time each day at noon Eastern Time and will close once the daily limit is reached.” Keep trying every day until you’re able to start applying online. It’s very frustrating to have to secure one daily spot during this beta test, but once you start, it will take up to 30 days to complete the updates.
Before you proceed to the next step, please have a physical copy of your old passport ready. Once you are able to start the application process, browse through the website pages to double-check your eligibility and review the disclaimers.
Next, enter the required information from your passport. If you have a passport card in addition to your passport booklet, enter both pieces of information. Eligible individuals will be asked to share more information about their travel plans, select their passport type, verify their personal details, and upload an appropriate photo. Finally, they will need to pay for their new passport to complete their application.
How much does it cost?
The cost of online renewal is roughly the same as you would pay at a brick-and-mortar location: $130 for a passport book and $30 for a passport card. Do you need both? Online renewal for both types is $160. However, keep in mind that if you only have one type of passport (book or card) and would like to purchase the other, you are not eligible for the online renewal process.
How long will it take to arrive?
Now, the longest wait is the next step: after your application is active in the government system, it takes around 6-8 weeks to renew your passport. And finally, it may take 2 weeks for your new passport to arrive in your mailbox.
If you apply by mail, you have the option to pay an additional $60 to get a faster result, but if you apply online, you don’t have this option. However, if your travel plans change, you can call the agency and ask them to expedite the process.
Also, while you can check the status of your mail-in application online, this is not an option for digital renewals. With that in mind, if you sign up for email updates, you will receive four messages in your inbox informing you when your application has been received, is being processed, has been approved, and has been dispatched. Be sure to double-check your spam folder so you don’t miss any emails.
It’s not a fun experience, but the sooner you stop procrastinating and renew your passport, the sooner you can get back traveling.
