If you’ve recently applied for a US passport or you’re wondering about the status of your existing passport, you can simply check the status of your passport.
Your passport is your most important travel document, before you embark on an international travel, you need to get one.
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After submitting your passport application, you have to wait for it to be processed.
During this waiting period, you can monitor the status of your passport by following the steps in this guide.
The process is pretty straightforward and it can be done online or offline.
How do I check the status of my US passport?
You can check the status of your US passport online by visiting the official website of the US Department of State and using their Online Passport Status System or offline through phone calls or in-person visits.
On the website, just enter your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to view the current status of your passport application.
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Alternatively, if you don’t want to go through the online process or you find something in your application that you don’t understand.
You can contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778.
If you applied for expedited passport services through USPS, you can track the delivery using the tracking number they will give you.
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Lastly, you can also check with the acceptance facility or passport agency where you submitted your application, they will give you the status of your passport.
How to check the status of your US passport online
To check the status online, visit the online passport status system.
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Got to the passport portal
This is the most convenient way to know the status of your passport – go to the official website of the US Department of State.
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Follow these steps:
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- Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Online Passport Status System: https://passportstatus.state.gov.
- Enter your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Click on the “Check Status” button to view the current status of your passport application.
Once you click “check status” it will show you the current status of your application.
Sometimes, it will display some “instructions”, this only happens if there is anything the passport authorities need you to do while your application is being processed.
Always look out for any specific instructions on the status output page.
How to check the status of your US passport offline
To check the status of your US passport offline, you can contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) or visit their office in person.
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When you call, request information about your passport application status from the NPIC representative during their operating hours and the rep will check your application and give you the current status of your application.
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You can contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC)
If you prefer to speak with a representative to know the status of your passport application, you can contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (TTY: 1-888-874-7793).
When you call, they will ask you to provide some details about your application – it is for security reasons.
You have to provide your full name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number for verification purposes.
They will then use your details to check the status of your application.
Working hours of the National Passport Information Center (NPIC)
The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) operates during the following hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM Eastern Time
The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) does not work on public holidays.
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You can check in person
Another way to check the status of your US passport is “in person”.
If you submitted your passport application in person at an acceptance facility or passport agency, you can contact them directly to check the status of your US passport.
Once you call them and verify yourself, they will check your application and give you updates about it.
If there is any issue with your application, they will also guide you on what you need to do.
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Passport application status updates
When filling out your passport application form, you can opt for updates through email or text message.
After submitting your passport application, you will receive updates via email or text message if you opt for the service during the application process.
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These updates will inform you about the progress of your application – you will be informed when your application has been received, when the processing starts and when it’s approved or denied.
You can also get updates for additional documents – maybe the passport officers need you to provide additional documents.
US passport status terms and their meaning
When you check the status of your US passport, you will receive any of the following as the status of your application.
Here are what you will see and their meanings:
- Application in process: This means that your application is being reviewed and processed by the passport agency.
- Application approved: Your passport application has been approved, and your passport is in the final stages of processing before being issued.
- Shipped: Your passport has been printed and shipped for delivery to the address you provided during the application.
Additional tips for checking passport status
- Double-check the information you provide when checking your passport status online to ensure that it is accurate.
- Keep track of any email or text notifications you will receive about your passport application – they can be helpful in the future.
- If you witness any delay or issues with your passport application, contact the NPIC or the passport agency for assistance.
Using the USPS tracking number (for expedited passport services)
If you applied for expedited passport services through the United States Postal Service (USPS), you can use the tracking number given to you to monitor the delivery of your passport.
Visit the USPS website: https://www.usps.com/] and enter your tracking number to check the status of your passport shipment.
What can I do to speed up the processing of my US passport?
To expedite the processing of your passport, you need to request expedited processing when submitting your application, it will reduce the processing time from 10-12 weeks to 4-6 weeks.
However, it’s a paid service, you have to pay for your passport to be expedited.
In addition to paying the expedition fee, you also need to provide proof of the urgency of your travel.
What if my passport is not ready in time?
If your passport isn’t ready when you need it. If it’s been more than two weeks since your passport was mailed, you should contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (or 1-888-874-7793 if you have hearing difficulties). They’ll help you fill out the DS-86 form, which is a statement confirming that you haven’t received your U.S. passport.
Through this form, they will investigate the delay and take necessary actions to make sure that you receive your passport promptly.
On the other hand, you can schedule an appointment at a Passport Agency if you require your passport within a few weeks or days because Passport Agencies process passports faster.
They can process your passport within a few days.
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Another way to speed up the processing of your passport is by following up with the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) or the Passport Agency.
If you follow up, your application will be processed promptly.
In addition, make sure you submit a complete application, it helps reduce delays in the processing of your application.
Ensure that no document is missing and that there are no inconsistencies with the information you provided in your application.