AMERICAN PASSPORTS ONLINE

US CITIZENS CAN NOW RENEW THEIR PASSPORTS ONLINE AND AVOID THE MAIL-IN PAPER APPLICATION PROCESS AND LONG LINES AT PROCESSING FACILITIES.
THE US STATE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT ITS ONLINE RENEWAL SYSTEM IS OPERATIONAL AND READY TO GO. THIS MEANS AMERICANS CAN RENEW THEIR PASSPORTS ONLINE. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE CHILDREN OR PEOPLE WHO RESIDE OUT THE US. A SECURE WEBSITE WILL HANDLE DOCUMENTS, PHOTO AND PAYMENT. THE RENEWAL COSTS $130. FIRST TIME APPLICANTS STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TRADITIONAL PROCESS. THE STATE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES THAT 5 MILLION AMERICANS WOULD BE ABLE TO USE THIS SERVICE. IN 2023, 24 MILLION PASSPORTS WERE ISSUED. 40% WERE RENEWALS.