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The State Department has announced on Sep. 18 that it will begin to allow adults to renew their passports through a new online renewal system intended to streamline the application and renewal processes.
The State Department estimates over 20 million Americans apply for a passport each year.
The change comes as a result of President Joe Biden’s Executive Order, Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government.
The State Department says they were able to make this transition happen due to increased staffing, technological advancements, and other internal improvements. The staffing came after the COVID-19 pandemic caused staff shortages and an increase in wait times for renewals and new passport applications.
“We continue to find ways to reduce administrative barriers and improve efficiency, equity, and accessibility throughout the passport application process,” said Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, in a Sep. 18 statement.
Despite this advancement, officials say the processing time is expected to still be six to eight weeks.
This progress provides a more efficient alternative to sending in an application via U.S. mail.
Before this new initiative, to renew a passport, any application would have to be physically printed, filled out manually, and mailed with a check to a Department of State office. The latest updated system is not yet available for the renewal of passports for children, for first-time applicants living outside the United States, or for expedited passport applications.
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