Great news! The hassle of renewing your passport has just gotten easier for DOD Personnel and their families.
The U.S. Department of State is launching an online portal allowing military customers to renew their passports from the convenience of their own homes. Therefore, you will no longer need to mail your application along with supporting documents.
This service will be available to Active-duty, reserve, retired, Defense Department civilians and contractors and their families. The program is currently in a pilot program being tested with a limited audience before it rolls out to the general public later in 2022.
The requirements include:
- The most recent passport is or must have been valid for 10 years. It's OK if the passport is expired.
- Children under the age of 16 cannot renew their passports.
- The passport was issued over nine years ago (2012), but less than 15 years ago (2006).
- No changes were made with respect to name, gender or other personal information, such as date or place of birth.
- No travel internationally can be made within three weeks of the date of renewal. The State Department will offer routine (8-11 weeks) and expedited processing (5-7 weeks).
- Online applications may be for a passport book only; passport cards may not be requested online.
- Applications must be for regular (tourist) passports only. Special issuance diplomatic or official passports may not be renewed online.
Applicants must live in the United States. - Applicants must have the passport in their possession, and it cannot be damaged or mutilated.
- An applicant can pay for a passport using a credit/debit card or an automated clearing house payment transferring funds from a bank account.
- Applicants can upload a digital photo in the .JPEG file format.
- Applicants who don't meet all of these requirements may still be eligible to renew by mail or in-person, the official said.
The State Department will send a confirmation email with more instructions after those interested preregister.
If you are interested in this program and being a part of the pilot program click here.
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