Americans can now renew passports online and bypass cumbersome paper applications

WASHINGTON (AP) — Individuals can now renew their passports on-line, bypassing a cumbersome mail-in paper software course of that always induced delays.

The State Division introduced Wednesday that its on-line passport renewal system is now absolutely operational.

“By providing this on-line different to the normal paper software course of, the Division is embracing digital transformation to supply probably the most environment friendly and handy passport renewal expertise attainable,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned in a press release.

After staffing shortages induced primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in prolonged passport processing delays, the division ramped up hiring and launched different technological enhancements which have lowered wait instances by about one-third over final yr. It says most functions at the moment are accomplished in far lower than the marketed six weeks to eight weeks and the net renewal system is predicted to additional cut back that.

The system will permit renewal candidates to skip the present course of, which requires them to print out and ship paper functions and a test by mail, and submit their paperwork and fee by way of a safe web site, www.Journey.State.Gov/renewonline.