The State Department now makes the US passport online renewal website available for all Americans to use, allowing the public to do the entire process on the internet instead of the traditional way. This latest initiative is looking to digitalize the experience of getting one's updated passport before or after the previous one expires, with this website previously only available under beta testing.
However, Americans who are looking to renew their passports online are in for a treat, as it was revealed by the State Department that there is currently a long estimated time for its arrival.
US Passport Renewal is Now Online, State Department Shares New Website
Secretary of State Antony Blinken shared the latest website launched by the Department of State for the American public, now offering passport renewals online. This new passport service would give Americans a new system that will simplify the renewal process, also making it easily accessible for all.
Blinken said there is no need to print their application on paper and then mail it with a check via USPS. Through the new website, Americans may fill in their application, send requirements, settle fees, and have it shipped via the platform.
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Renewed Passport Delivery Will Take Quite Some Time
Users only need to create a MyTravelGov account via the website to get started, but not all applications would be qualified for online renewal. Previously, passport renewal via mail would only take one week for expedited requests, but this is not available for online renewals.
According to the website, the process would take around six to eight weeks, and this does not yet account for mailing time.
That being said, Blinken assured the public that it already improved its system to process renewals faster, about one-third of the previous timeline. This means users may get their passports earlier than expected, but no exact times were provided.
Online Services by the United States Government
The United States government has a lot of services available on the web for easier access amongst the public, and it offers them a way to no longer be required to report to federal offices or agencies whenever needing to do specific processes or procedures. There is a US government student loan website known as StudentAid, and through this portal, undergraduates may apply for specific programs that would help subsidize their education for eligible applicants.
Previously, StudentAid's website crashed as it could not handle the volume of applicants accessing the page, infamously happening before school resumed in 2022.
For taxpayers, there is also a digital tool that the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) launched called the 'Direct File.' Through this platform, members of the public looking to comply with US tax rules are given an online experience.
Through this, the IRS simplified the tax filing procedures and made it cheaper for Americans to access, as doing so on commercial services would be costly. According to Treasury, its 2024 pilot program helped save $5.6 million in costs and helped return $90 million to the taxpayers, in refund.
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