Until we meet again, the vexing mail-in system.
The process of obtaining a passport in the United States can be lengthy and complicated, but it is going to get less complicated. Following the completion of a number of pilot initiatives, the Department of State has made the announcement that the online passport renewal service is now officially accessible to the general public. According to a statement released by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, additional manpower and technical advancements are the driving forces behind both this advancement and the reduction in the amount of time spent waiting for passports.
A printed form, a photo that was the appropriate size for a passport, a photocopy of a valid identification card, a check, and the most recent passport of the applicant were all necessary to be mailed in order to apply for a new passport. It is also possible for citizens of the United States to bring the documents to a facility that accepts passports and pay with either cash or another form of payment.
On the other hand, not all citizens of the United States will be able to submit their passport applications online. The eligibility requirements for individuals are that they must reside in the United States, be over the age of 25, and have a passport that has expired after 2019 or will expire within the next year. Consequently, the change will not be beneficial to anyone who are under the age of 25, who are living outside of the country, or who are receiving their first passport in more than five years. Additionally, the new system does not allow users to change their name or gender in any part of their identity.
These limitations might be subject to modification in the future. Rena Bitter, who is the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, stated at a briefing that “this is not going to be the last thing that we do.” “We want to see how this goes and then we’ll start looking at ways to continue to make this service available to more American citizens in the coming months and years.” At this time, if you are eligible, you should follow the steps for renewing your passport online here.