U.S. passports can now be renewed fully online

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The State Department just launched an online portal, allowing Americans to renew their passports fully online.

Rena Bitter, Assistant Secretary Bureau of Consular Affairs, says applicants can pay, upload a photo and complete their applications without ever having to step into an office.

The State Department said the modernized approach is intended to meet a surge in demand. Bitter said more Americans than ever are now passport holders.

“In 1990, 5% of Americans had passports. Now, over half of Americans have passports” Bitter said.

Only adults 25 years old and older with a ten-year passport are eligible for the online process.

Bitter said the online option is not intended to speed up the time in which applicants receive their new passports in the mail.  The current commitment is six to eight weeks although she says her agency is returning passports “much faster than that.”

The State Department launched a pilot online program in June and plans to expand who’s eligible to apply online in the future.

You can find more information on the renewal process here .

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