The U.S. government is urging Americans who need a passport to follow the correct procedures and use only official sites when applying for or renewing the document.

Through its social media accounts, the State Department emphasized that “passport processing times remain short if you need to apply for or renew your passport.”

The agency also reminded applicants that several steps can now be completed online — in some cases allowing people to renew their passports from home.

Renewing your U.S. passport: what you need to know

A post from the State Department’s X account on Friday noted that “most adult U.S. passport holders can renew entirely online.”

In this regard, it offered an “important tip” to those applying for the document online, given the potential risks of fraud and other issues.

“One important tip — be sure to ONLY apply through the official site (http://travel.state.gov/renewonline) to avoid being scammed into paying more or sharing your personal information with third-party sites. If a passport site ends in ‘.com’ or ‘.org,’ it is NOT the official site. Always look for ‘.gov’ in the URL before starting your application,” the government agency stated.

New system for renewing your passport online

In September 2024, the State Department announced the launch of its new online passport renewal system (OPR), which is available 24/7.

According to the agency, the platform allows applicants to “skip the printing and mailing” and track their renewal “completely online.”

Eligible users can access the system from any device with internet access, while traditional renewal options — by mail or at U.S. passport agencies — remain available.

“It’s secure, convenient, and ready for you to use,” the agency said.

Requirements for renewing your U.S. passport online

You can renew your passport online if you meet the following conditions:

• The passport is (or was) valid for 10 years and expires within one year or expired less than five years ago.

• You are 25 years of age or older.

• You do not wish to change any personal details, such as your name.

• You will not be traveling for at least six weeks from the date of application.

• You have a mailing address in a U.S. state or territory.

• You have your physical passport, and it's not damaged. This does not apply in cases of loss or theft.

Applicants who obtained U.S. citizenship through naturalization must submit Form DS-11 in person to request their first U.S. passport.

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