Since the federal government shutdown began on October 1, 2025, many services have been suspended, including SNAP and some national parks. At airports, flight delays are increasing due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. One U.S. government service that has not yet been affected is passport issuance and renewal. Read below to learn how to renew your passport online during the government shutdown.
Will my passport be affected by the government shutdown?
No, passports are not affected by the U.S. government shutdown at this time. The State Department confirmed that “domestic and international consular services, including passport and visa services, will continue while government funding expires.”
Online passport service is only for passport renewal. You cannot apply for a new U.S. passport online. To apply for a new passport, start the form, print and mail it, or visit a passport acceptance facility. These include post offices, which will not close during the government shutdown. Passport acceptance facilities remain open during the government shutdown; if If the facility is located in a federal building, it will be closed.
How do I renew my passport online?
Renewing your US passport online is easy. First, please make sure you have the following qualifications:
- you are over 25 years old
- No need to change information such as name
- The passport you want to renew has expired within five years, or is scheduled to expire within one year.
- You have your passport, it is undamaged and you have never reported it lost or stolen
- I have a US address
If you meet these requirements, please fill out a simple application. A current passport, digital passport photo, and credit or debit card are required. You can then pay the $130 passport renewal fee and receive a new passport in 4 to 6 weeks.
How long does it take to get a new passport?
A standard passport renewal takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited services are not available when renewing your passport online. For an additional $22.50, you can have it returned to you via express mail (1-2 days).
If you need your passport within 6 weeks, take advantage of our 2-3 week expedited service ($190 total). In case of an emergency, please make a reservation directly at one of the 29 passport agencies nationwide.
Note: All information in this article is current at the time of writing.
