“Where’s my passport?” It’s a question many people ask as they endure the long passport application process. The bad news: Passport applications and renewals take weeks, if not months. The good news: Tracking your passport status is easy. Here’s how to check the status of your passport in just a few simple steps.
Update: The U.S. State Department has launched an online passport renewal service for eligible applicants, with plans to expand the system for all users.
Find out how to renew your passport online.
How do I check on my passport status?
It’s exceptionally easy to perform a passport status check, whether you’re tracking a new application or a renewal. You have two options: go online or call the National Passport Information Center. The online tool is available 24/7 and usually gives you results faster.
3 steps to check online where your passport is
- Visit passportstatus.state.gov about two weeks after you apply.
- Enter your last name (including any suffixes like Jr. or III), date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number. If your name has a hyphen or apostrophe, try it with and without those characters if you don’t get results.
- See your passport’s current status displayed on screen.
The State Department also sends application status updates to the email you provided on your application, so you can stay in the loop without constantly refreshing the website.
Check your passport status by phone
You can also call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY). The opening hours are as follows:
- Mondays through Fridays 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time
- Closed on federal holidays
What do passport statuses mean?
Once you check your status, you’ll see one of several messages. Here’s what each one means:
- In process: Your application has been received by the passport agency or center and is under review. This is where your application will spend most of its time.
- Approved: Review is complete and your passport has started printing. You’re almost there.
- Passport mailed: Your passport is on its way to you. Passport books usually come via trackable delivery service.
- Supporting documents mailed: Your original citizenship evidence and other supporting documents are being returned separately, often via First Class Mail. These can arrive up to four weeks after your passport.
- Not available: The system can’t find your application yet. This usually means it’s still in transit to the processing center, there’s a technical issue, or there’s a typo in the information you entered.
The online status system may also show your nine-digit application locator number. The first two digits tell you which passport agency or center is handling your application.
How long will my passport status be “in process”?
The short answer: somewhere between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on which processing speed you selected. But here’s what you need to know about timing.
The usual processing times
- Routine: 4 to 6 weeks
- Expedited: 2 to 3 weeks
These are the official processing times published by the State Department, but actual times can vary based on current demand and whether they need additional information from you.
What does “in process” mean for a passport?
“In process” means that your passport application or renewal has been received by the processing center and is undergoing review. The length of time in this stage depends on the service you selected and the current processing times. Check the State Department’s processing times page for real-time updates, as these can fluctuate with seasonal demand.
First passport or renewal: Is the processing time different?
Generally, no. New passport applications and passport renewals follow the same published processing times (routine and expedited). The steps for tracking your passport status are identical regardless of whether it’s your first passport or a renewal.
However, there’s one important distinction: the State Department now offers an online passport renewal option for eligible applicants. This is a separate submission pathway with its own eligibility requirements. If you qualify for online renewal, you’ll use a different application process than traditional mail-in renewals, though the same general processing timeframes apply.
How to proceed in case of emergency?
If you must travel abroad after submitting your passport application or renewal, you need to act fast. Call the National Passport Information Center immediately at 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY) to discuss your options.
Here’s what’s possible depending on your timeline:
- Traveling in more than 14 days: You can upgrade routine service to expedited service for a $60 fee. You can also pay for 1-2 day return shipping for your passport book (not available for passport cards).
- Traveling within 14 days: You may be able to make an in-person appointment at a passport agency to receive your passport more quickly. You’ll need to provide proof of international travel.
- Life-or-death emergencies (within 3 business days): Call NPIC and be prepared to provide documentation of the emergency. For emergencies outside regular hours, call 202-647-4000.
Keep in mind that in-person agency appointments are limited and not guaranteed. Call as soon as you know you need to travel urgently.
What do I do if my status is not available?
Your passport status may be listed as “not available” for three reasons:
- Your passport is still in transit to the passport agency. This may take up to two weeks, plus additional time for processing payment.
- The system is experiencing technical issues. Try checking your status again in a few hours, or try a different browser or device.
- You’ve mistyped your name when you searched for your passport status. If your name has a hyphen, try typing your name with and without it on the passport status tracker website. Also, be sure to add any suffixes to your last name.
If you mailed your renewal application, check your USPS tracking to confirm it was delivered. If more than two weeks have passed since delivery and payment was processed, but you still see “not available,” call NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 to check for data errors or missing information.
Where can you travel while waiting for your new passport?
While you’re waiting for your passport to process, you can travel anywhere within the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. You can also travel to U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Travel to these territories is not considered international travel, so U.S. citizens don’t need a passport.
Just remember: while you don’t need a passport for domestic air travel, you do need an acceptable form of ID under TSA rules. A REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another approved ID will work fine for flights within the U.S. and to territories.
Bottom line
Checking your passport status is easy to do online. Just keep in mind that the “in process” status might take several weeks or months. If you need to expedite your passport application or renewal after you’ve submitted it, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (1-888-874-7793 TDD/TTY).
Frequently asked questions
If it’s been more than two weeks since the status changed to “mailed,” call NPIC at 1-877-487-2778. You may need to complete Form DS-86 (statement of non-receipt) within 120 days of issue.
Call NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 immediately to update your mailing address before delivery is attempted. Don’t wait until after the passport ships.
No, they typically arrive separately. Your passport book comes via trackable delivery, while supporting documents are sent via First Class Mail and may arrive up to four weeks later.
Yes. You can use Priority Mail Express when mailing your application, and pay $22.05 for 1-2 day return shipping for passport books (not available for passport cards).
Expeditors are private companies that submit applications for a fee. They’re not part of the State Department, don’t guarantee faster processing, and can cost hundreds of dollars. Use caution and read their terms carefully.
This usually means an issue was found during final review and your passport is being corrected or reprinted. No action is required unless NPIC contacts you. Call 1-877-487-2778 if you’re concerned.
The foregoing article was last updated in December 2025. It does not contain legal advice and is for informational purposes only. KAYAK does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any of the information contained in this article and/or any of the content linked to within it. Always check the official government website of your departure and arrival destinations prior to travel for up-to-date information.
Sources:
https://passportstatus.state.gov/
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/status.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/contact-us/passports.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/processing-times.html
