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If you've ever planned a trip abroad and then discovered that your passport has expired, you know how painful it is to have to renew it in person.
But now there is good news: On Wednesday, the US State Department launched a beta program that offers US citizens the opportunity to renew their passports online.
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“The goal of online passport renewal is to save Americans time and effort and make renewing their U.S. passport more convenient,” a senior State Department official told ABC News.
Initially, the government will allow a small number of people to apply through the online portal each day, with plans to slowly increase the daily number as the system becomes more operational.
However, not everyone is eligible to apply.
To try out the system, applicants must be at least 25 years old and hold a U.S. passport issued between 2009 and 2015. The passport must also be valid for at least 10 years. Applicants must also not plan to travel abroad for at least eight weeks after applying.
The expedited online service will not be available.
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The beta program is expected to run in the “coming months,” but a specific timeline has not yet been announced. State officials noted that the person's current passport will become invalid once a new application is submitted.
As the system currently stands, the average wait time for a U.S. passport renewal is six to eight weeks. For those who pay extra for the express service, it is two to three weeks.
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