How to Renew a U.S. Passport Online
Eligible U.S. citizens aged 25 or older can renew a passport online through the State Department's official portal if their current document and travel plans meet the rules. The application requires an original, unedited digital photo. Do not upload a photo altered with filters, retouching software, background replacement or artificial intelligence.
This guide explains online renewal eligibility, the application steps, digital photo upload rules, current fees, processing times and what to do if a photo is rejected.
Table of contents
- U.S. Passport Renewal Updates
- Who Is Eligible to Renew a U.S. Passport Online?
- U.S. Passport Renewal Online: Step by Step
- What You Need to Renew a U.S. Passport Online
- U.S. Online Passport Renewal Photo Requirements
- Get Your U.S. Passport Photo Online!
- U.S. Online Passport Processing Time
- U.S. Online Passport Fees
- FAQs
U.S. Passport Renewal Updates
The U.S. Department of State opened online passport renewal nationwide on September 18, 2024. Eligible adults can now complete the application, upload a digital photo and pay online without mailing their current passport.
Use only the official State Department online renewal portal. No third-party company can sign or submit the application for you. The online service now supports eligible renewals of passport books, passport cards, or both, depending on which document you currently hold and which replacement you request.
Who Is Eligible to Renew a U.S. Passport Online?
You can renew a U.S. passport online only if every State Department eligibility condition applies:
- You are a U.S. citizen aged 25 or older.
- The passport you are renewing was valid for 10 years.
- The passport expires within one year or expired less than five years ago.
- You have the passport with you. It is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not reported it lost or stolen.
- You are not changing personal information such as your name or sex.
- You are located in a U.S. state or territory when you submit the application.
- You are not traveling internationally for at least six weeks after submission. Online applications cannot be expedited.
- You have an original digital photo and can pay the fee online by credit or debit card.
If you do not qualify, you may be able to renew by mail using Form DS-82. First-time applicants and applicants who do not qualify for renewal must use the appropriate in-person procedure.
Passport-card renewal is available online in supported combinations. A card holder may renew a card as a card, while an eligible book or card holder may request a book and card together. You cannot use online renewal to change from a card only to a book only, or from a book only to a card only.
U.S. Passport Renewal Online: Step by Step
Complete the online renewal through the official State Department portal:
- Confirm that you meet every online-renewal requirement.
- Prepare your current passport, payment card, personal information and original digital photo.
- Open the official renewal portal and sign in or create the required account.
- Enter your personal details and passport information exactly as shown on your most recent passport.
- Upload the original photo. Reposition or crop it inside the application and follow the result of the basic photo check.
- Review the application, sign it electronically and pay the renewal fee by credit or debit card.
- Submit the application and retain the confirmation. Do not use your previous passport after the State Department cancels it.
The State Department sends email updates when the application is in process, approved and mailed. It will also contact you if more information is required.
What You Need to Renew a U.S. Passport Online
Have the following items and information ready before starting:
- The passport book, passport card, or both that you are renewing.
- An original, unedited digital passport photo that meets the requirements below.
- A credit or debit card for the application fee.
- Your Social Security number, emergency contact and other personal details requested in the application.
U.S. Online Passport Renewal Photo Requirements
For online renewal, upload the original digital photo rather than a prepared 2 × 2-inch passport image. The State Department's digital photo instructions specify the following:
- The file must be JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF.
- The file size must be between 54 KB and 10 MB.
- The photo must be in color and taken within the last six months.
- Use a plain white or off-white background without shadows, textures, lines or objects.
- Stand several feet from the camera with your head centered and fully visible. The bottom of the frame should reach the edges of your shoulders near where they connect to your arms.
- Face the camera directly with both eyes open and visible. Use a neutral expression or natural smile and avoid showing your teeth.
- Remove eyeglasses and anything else covering your face, except for documented religious or medical reasons.
- Use an image that is sharp, in focus and evenly lit, without shadows on your face or the background.
- Submit the original file without filters, retouching, artificial intelligence or other digital changes. Do not replace the background or edit red-eye. Take a new photo instead.
- Do not scan a printed photo or photograph a print. Save the image at high quality and do not send it by text message, which may reduce its quality.
The State Department does not publish a square aspect-ratio requirement or a 600 × 600-pixel minimum for this online-renewal upload. Leave enough space around your head and shoulders because the official application allows you to reposition and crop the original image.
How the upload check and photo review work
The application performs a basic automated check when you upload the photo. If the file does not pass, the system explains what needs to change and lets you try another original photo before submission.
A State Department employee reviews the photo after the application is submitted. If the employee finds a problem, you will receive a letter or email with instructions for providing a new photo. Follow the case-specific directions and respond within 90 days of the date on the notice.
Get Your U.S. Passport Photo Online!
Getting your US passport photo right involves more than just the size and format. Dtails like the background, head size, and eye positioning are crucial. For the best results, use a specialized US passport online photo tool like Visafoto.com.
Here's how it works: Take a photo against a plain white background, using either your phone or a digital camera. Upload the photo to Visafoto.com. The tool will automatically adjust size, format, background color, and face positioning to meet the US passport photo requirements.
And that's it! Visafoto will take care of adjusting the background, size, and head position to meet official specifications. You'll receive a digital version ideal for online applications and a format ready for printing.
Example of the photo you can upload to Visafoto:
The result after Visafoto editing:
With a 99.7% acceptance rate and over 500,000 approved photos, Visafoto promises compliance with official standards and offers a full refund if there's an issue. Our tech support is available 24/7 for any assistance you may need.
U.S. Online Passport Processing Time
Routine U.S. passport processing currently takes four to six weeks. This processing estimate does not include delivery after the passport is printed, which may take up to two additional weeks.
Online renewal cannot be expedited, and you are eligible only if you will not travel internationally for at least six weeks after submission. If your travel plans change after you apply, contact the National Passport Information Center for instructions.
The State Department sends status updates by email when the application is in process, approved and mailed. A photo problem or a request for additional information can delay the application.
U.S. Online Passport Fees
The current online renewal application fees are:
- Passport Book: USD 130
- Passport Card: USD 30
- Passport Book & Card: USD 160
Optional delivery charges are separate. Confirm the amount displayed in the official application before paying.
FAQs
Can I renew my U.S. passport online if it is expired?
Yes, if it expired less than five years ago, was valid for 10 years, and you meet every other online-renewal condition. A passport that expired five years ago or more is not eligible for online renewal.
Can I expedite an online passport renewal?
No. Online renewal is available only for routine service and you must not be traveling internationally for at least six weeks after submitting. If you need a passport sooner, use the appropriate mail or passport-agency procedure.
Can I update my personal information through online renewal?
No. Online renewal is available only when you are not changing personal information such as your name or sex. Use the appropriate mail or in-person procedure for the change.
Can I renew my passport online if I live abroad?
No. You must be located in a U.S. state or territory when you submit the online application.
What should I do if my online passport photo is rejected?
If the upload tool rejects the photo before submission, follow its message and try another original photo. If an employee finds a problem later, follow the letter or email you receive and respond within 90 days.
Can I renew my passport card online?
Yes, in supported combinations. You may renew a card as a card, and eligible book or card holders may request a book and card together. You cannot use online renewal to change from a card only to a book only, or from a book only to a card only.
Will I get a temporary passport to travel while my renewal is processing?
No. The online renewal system does not issue temporary or limited-validity passports.
Last updated: September 15, 2026.