More Americans are traveling abroad today than ever before. In 1990, only 5% of Americans had a passport. Today, it’s 48%. In 2023, the Department of State issued over 24 million passports, the most ever.
To meet the growing demand, they are opening six new passport agencies in Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Orlando, Charlotte, San Antonio, and Cincinnati.
This will expand the network to 35 passport agencies and over 7,400 passport acceptance facilities nationwide, ensuring prompt service for travelers.
For those in a rush, the State Department has introduced a beta version of its online passport renewal system, allowing quick renewals if you’re fast enough. The window opens daily at 1 PM ET and closes once a certain number of applications are received.
To renew online, you need to:
– Be at least 25 years old
– Live in the U.S.
– Have a passport valid for 10 years, issued between 2009-2015
– Have your existing passport in good condition
You can only renew regular passports online, not special ones. You must use a credit card, debit card, or ACH transfer to pay, and upload a new passport photo. Once you apply, your existing passport is immediately canceled.
To apply online, create a MyTravelGov account. If the renewal window is open, you’ll need:
– Your current passport
– A digital passport photo
– Payment information
After applying, you’ll get email confirmations of your payment and application status. Your new passport should arrive in 6-8 weeks.
Passport cards, which are valid for land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, can also be renewed online. However, they are not valid for air travel.
