For what it is worth, I renewed my GE online about 8 months ago. I've been a registered user on the GE website since it's inception. I just followed the renewal instructions step by step. I found the process very easy and it took only a few minutes to complete. Confirmation of the renewal application was received by email a few minutes later and got another email the following day notifying me the renewal was approved. If memory serves me correct I received my new GE ID card in the mail about a week or so later.