Are you finally ready to book that fabulous trip that you’ve been daydreaming about? Maybe it’s a wine tour in Italy or a cruise around Japan. Lucky you! It’s going to be amazing, we’re sure. What isn’t going to be quite as amazing? Renewing your passport before you go. It can be a hassle to schlep to an in-person appointment or even to gather everything you need to mail in. Or, rather, it was a hassle until now. The U.S. Department of State just launched an online passport-renewal program that will make the process a whole lot easier.

However, the program has a few restrictions. So what will that mean for you and your attempt to take care of this task online? Here’s what you need to know.

Can anyone renew their passport online?

As of right now, no. To renew your passport online:

• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• This cannot be your first-ever passport. To get your first passport, you have to apply and schedule an in-person appointment with the Department of State.
• The passport you’re renewing cannot be more than five years past its expiration date. Passports that are set to expire within the next 12 months are also eligible.
• You must be 18 years old or older.
• You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth or place of birth.
• You live in the United States (either state or territory), not a foreign country, and you don’t have an Army Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) address.
• You are applying for a regular (tourist) passport, not a special-issue (diplomatic, official or service) passport.
• You can upload a digital passport photo.

As the program continues to expand, some of the restrictions above may change, though others likely won’t (such as being a U.S. citizen). If you don’t meet these requirements, you won’t be able to move forward in the application process online.

How to renew your passport online

Here’s what the renewal process will entail:

• Creating an account through MyTravelGov and starting an application.
• Filling out the DS-82 form online and electronically signing the paperwork.
• Submitting a passport photo that is 2-by-2-inches. It should be a clear image of you with a white background and a neutral expression on your face. You can have a friend or family member take a photo with your smartphone.
• Paying the passport fee.

Ta-da! You’re done.

How much does renewing a passport online cost?

It costs $130 to apply—which is the standard amount for a routine passport renewal at, say, the post office or other government office. Right now, the only form of available payment is a credit card.

How long does it take to get a passport that’s been renewed online?

The process takes six to eight weeks, just like a routine passport renewal in person or via mail. So if you’re looking for the fastest way to apply for a passport, this program unfortunately isn’t it. If you need your passport quickly, mail in your application with the extra $60 fee for expedited service, and you should get it in two to three weeks. There are also passport-renewal services you can find in your area that charge a heftier fee for an even faster renewal—between one and four days.

Can you use your current passport while waiting for the new one?

No. Similar to when you apply for a passport by mail, you’ll have to send your old passport to the U.S. Department of State, so don’t plan on traveling out of the country during the time you’re waiting for your renewed passport. The government will eventually send back the old passport to keep for your records, but the new one will arrive first.

How does renewing your passport online work in practice?

RD.com’s Deputy Editor, Anne Fritz, recently renewed her passport online. Here’s her experience: “I loved that I didn’t have to take the time to go to a drugstore or post office for a passport photo—or pay extra for one—I uploaded a headshot I had on my phone. Unfortunately, my initial photo was rejected because my smile was too big.”

After having her husband take a new photo where she had a more neutral expression, Fritz was able to go back to her saved application and update the image. This time, it was accepted and she completed the application. “I received my new passport in the mail a mere 10 days later! I couldn’t believe it.” We can’t guarantee that your passport renewal will be turned around that quickly, but it’s nice to know that the process is seamless, even in its testing phase.

Why trust us

At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions, as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• U.S. Department of State: “Renew Online – Beta Release”
• U.S. Department of State: “Renew by Mail”
• CNET: “Planning to Travel Abroad? You Can Now Renew Your U.S. Passport Online”

 

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https://www.rd.com/article/passport-mistake/
Reader’s Digest

 

For every international traveler, getting a passport is a rite of passage. Seeing your name and photo proudly printed inside, feeling the smooth passport cover and flipping through pages just waiting for stamps from around the world is exciting, to say the least. However, if you’ve had your passport for a while, it can easily end up in the back of your drawer, patiently awaiting your next international adventure.

If this sounds familiar, keep reading to find out the passport mistake that you’ll want to avoid to make sure your next trip goes smoothly. And no, it’s not checking to make sure your passport won’t expire before your trip. That’s a rookie mistake, and it’s easier than ever to rectify now that you can renew your passport online.

What’s the mistake?

The biggest mistake you can make when traveling internationally is forgetting to ensure that your passport’s expiration date is at least six months out from your travel dates. Even seasoned travelers can overlook this essential detail!

Why is this a mistake?

The reason you need to check your passport to see how long it’s valid is twofold. For starters, as you likely know, you can’t travel out of the country with an expired passport. Secondly—and perhaps more surprisingly—there are a number of countries around the world that won’t let you in if your passport is within six months of expiring.

Some countries are so strict that if your passport isn’t valid for at least another six months, your trip will end before it even begins. “They don’t care if it’s your wedding. They don’t care if it’s your birthday. They don’t care if it’s your dream family vacation,” says TikTok user @itsyanachka, who is also a flight attendant, said in a recent video. “They will not let you in.”

 

Even if you’ve already paid for your ticket and made it through security, you can be denied boarding at your gate. Still have five months left on your passport? That won’t cut it for countries with this passport requirement.

What countries require you to have a passport that’ll be valid for at least six months before you travel?

While not all countries require travelers to have passports with more than six months of validity beyond the dates of their trip, many do. Some of the most popular travel destinations that require six months of validity on passports include:

• China
• Egypt
• India
• Indonesia
• Singapore
• Thailand
• The United Arab Emirates
• Turkey

There are also a number of countries that require you to have at least three months of passport validity before you travel, many of which are located in Europe. On this list are:

• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Italy
• Spain
• Sweden

These lists are not exhaustive, and it’s important to check the passport requirements for your destination before traveling.

How can you renew your passport quickly?

Ekaterina79/Getty Images

A good rule of thumb is to check your passport expiration date well in advance of any international travel. Compare your passport’s expiration date with the passport requirements for visiting your intended destination. Never throw out an expired passport! Instead, if your passport is expired or expires soon, there are a couple of ways to renew it quickly.

• Fill out a standard renewal form and pay the $60 expedited fee for travel in less than six weeks.
• Make an appointment at a passport agency or center for travel if you’re traveling internationally within the next two to three weeks.
• For new applicants and children, fill out the standard check-box passport application and make an appointment to apply in person at an acceptance facility.

Why trust us

Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.

Sources:

• Department of State: “After You Get Your New Passport”
• @itsyanachka on TikTok