Applying for a passport renewal just got a little easier.

This week, the U.S. State Department launched an online trial for passport renewals. The system will initially accept only a limited number of applicants each day but is expected to expand in the coming months.

Here’s what you need to know

Who qualifies for online renewal

You can apply online for a passport renewal if:

• The passport you are renewing is or was valid for 10 years and you are age 25 or older
• The passport you are renewing was issued between 2009 and 2015, or over 9 years but less than 15 years from the date you plan to submit your application.
• You are not changing your name, gender, date of birth, or place of birth.
• You are not traveling internationally for at least 8 weeks from the date you submit your application
• You are applying for a regular tourist passport. You cannot renew a special issuance such as diplomatic, official or service passport online.
• You live in the U.S. or an American territory. People who live in foreign country or have an Army Post Office or Fleet Post Office address are not eligible for online delivery
• You have your passport with you, and it is not damaged or mutilated, and you have not previously reported it as lost or stolen.
• You can pay for your passport using a credit or debit card.
• You can upload a digital passport photo.

Can I get expedited service?

No, expedited service on passports will not be available for online renewals and the turnaround time will be similar to a mailed request.

Are the fees different?

No, the fees are the same for online passport renewals – $130 – for a passport book.

What do I do with my old passport?

The State Department said to keep your most recent passport. It will be canceled after your application and will not be able to be used for international travel.

How do I apply?

The online application system will open for a limited time midday for eastern time zone and will close once the cap for the day is reached. The State Department did not announce how many applications it will accept per day.

Why are there only a limited number of applications being accepted each day?

Here’s the reason, according to the State Department: “We plan to continue to limit the number of applications accepted each day so we can monitor the system’s performance in real time. This beta release during which we are limiting the daily applications is an important and standard part of the software development process.”

What should I do if the limit is reached?

If you are unable to start your application you should try another day.

What if I can’t get into the system?

Other methods – such as mail or going to a passport processing site – are still available.

You can see more options for applying for a passport here.