# Passports: Expanding Online Passport Renewal Overseas

**Action Urgency Score:** 45/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | State Department |
| Type | Proposed rule |
| Action | Proposed rule. |
| Published | 2026-08-28 |
| Comments close | 2026-10-27 |
| Significant | Yes (EO 12866) |
| CFR parts | 22 CFR 51 |
| Summary | The Department proposes to amend 22 CFR 51.21 by consolidating requirements for persons applying by mail and online in the United States and overseas. This proposed change includes expanding online passport application availability to qualified applicants located in foreign countries. In addition, the Department is proposing to remove the requirement that an applicant's most recently issued passport must have a year or less of remaining validity to qualify to submit an online passport application. Finally, the Department is proposing technical corrections to 51.8(b) to change "on-line" to read |
| Document number | 2026-17655 |

## Why this score
- Significant rule under EO 12866.

Source: Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/28/2026-17655/passports-expanding-online-passport-renewal-overseas). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T21:40:49.974Z.
Data from the Federal Register API; the published Federal Register document is authoritative. Informational only, not legal advice.