1 of 1 Photo: Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images
If your passport is expiring soon, you are in luck! According to KTLA 5, the State Department is now allowing online renewal "thanks to an update to the agency's previous pilot program."
Online renewal is available to adults 25 or older who have had a U.S. passport that has expired within the last 5 years or will be expiring in the coming year. Those interested in renewing their passport online must:
- create an account to start the application process on the State Department's website
- enter old passport information
- enter any upcoming travel plans
Another plus about renewing online is that you'll be able to take a passport photo right from your cellphone but it cannot be a selfie; the photo must be recent and have a white background. The online renewal process takes 6-8 weeks to process along with extra time for mailing. Those interested in renewing their passport must meet certain requirements, which are:
- must be a U.S. citizen and resident who is 25 and older with an existing passport for at least 10 years (passport must be in possession)
- their name, gender, date of birth or place of birth must not have changed to get a new passport
- must live in a U.S. state or territory
- applying for a regular tourist passport
- upload a recent digital photo
- must pay the renewal fee online with a debit or credit card
For more, click here.