How to Track Your Passport Application Status

Where to check your passport status online

The State Department's passport status tool is the fastest way to find out where your application stands. Go to travel.state.gov, click "Check Your Passport Status," and enter your last name, date of birth, and the receipt number from your application receipt card. The tool updates every 24 hours and shows you whether your passport is still being processed, ready for pickup, or has shipped.

You will need that receipt number — the one printed on the card you received when you submitted your application. If you cannot find it, you can still search by last name and date of birth, but the receipt number search is faster and more accurate. The tool works for passports applied for in the last five years.

The status tool tells you the current stage — "Application Received," "In Process," "Approved," "Ready for Pickup," or "Shipped" — but it does not give you an exact date. If your application has been in process for longer than the stated processing time for your service level, the tool will flag that.

Key Takeaways

• Check your passport status at travel.state.gov using your receipt number, last name, and date of birth; the tool updates every 24 hours.
• Processing times vary by service level: routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks, expedited takes 2 to 3 weeks, and emergency same-day service is available only at passport agencies in person.
• If your application is delayed beyond the posted processing time, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to speak with someone who can investigate.
• You can track a passport applied for in the last five years; older applications require a phone call to the passport agency.
• Passport agencies do not send text or email notifications, so you must check the status tool yourself or call to confirm your passport is ready before traveling.

What each status stage means

"Application Received" means the passport agency has logged your paperwork into the system but has not started processing it yet. This stage typically lasts a few days. Your application is in a queue waiting for a staff member to review your documents and verify that everything is complete.

"In Process" is the longest stage. During this time, the agency is checking your identity, running background checks, and printing your passport. This is where most of the posted processing time happens. If your application sits in this stage longer than the time listed for your service level, contact the National Passport Information Center.

"Approved" means your passport has been printed and is ready to be mailed or picked up. If you applied for routine service, your passport will be mailed to the address you provided. If you paid for expedited service, it will also be mailed unless you paid extra for expedited pickup at a passport agency.

"Ready for Pickup" appears only if you chose to pick up your passport at a passport agency instead of having it mailed. You will have a specific window of time to collect it — usually 30 days from the date it becomes ready. After that window closes, the agency may return it to inventory.

"Shipped" means your passport has been mailed and is on its way to you. This does not mean it has been delivered to your mailbox, only that it left the passport agency. Standard mail delivery takes 1 to 2 weeks after shipping.

Processing times for each service level

Routine service takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date the agency receives your application. This is the standard option and costs the least. Expedited service takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an extra fee. Both times are estimates; actual processing can be faster or slower depending on how busy the agency is and whether your application has any missing documents.

Emergency same-day service is available only if you apply in person at a passport agency and have travel within 72 hours. You cannot track this type of application online — you receive your passport the same day you apply, or the agency tells you on the spot if they cannot issue it.

The status tool shows you the processing time for your specific service level when you enter your information. If your application has been in process longer than that time, the tool will alert you. At that point, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to find out what is holding up your application.

When to call instead of using the online tool

Call the National Passport Information Center if your application has been in "In Process" for longer than the posted processing time for your service level. The phone line is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time, and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern time. Have your receipt number ready when you call.

You should also call if you applied more than five years ago and need to know the status of that application. The online tool only covers applications from the last five years. For older applications, the passport agency staff can search their archives, though it may take longer to locate the record.

If you have not received your passport within 2 weeks of the "Shipped" status, call the center to report it as potentially lost in the mail. They can file a trace with the postal service and may be able to issue a replacement faster than a standard reapplication.

What to do if your application is stuck

If your application has been in "In Process" for longer than the posted time, the first step is to call the National Passport Information Center. They can see notes in your file that the online tool does not show — for example, whether the agency is waiting for you to send additional documents, whether there is a name discrepancy they need to resolve, or whether your application is simply delayed due to volume.

Common reasons for delays include missing or unclear documents, a name that does not match your birth certificate, or a background check that needs more time. The passport agency staff can tell you which one applies to you and what you need to do next. If documents are missing, they will tell you how to send them and whether you need to resubmit your entire application or just the missing pages.

If the delay is due to high volume and not a problem with your application, the agency may be able to expedite it if you have travel coming up. This is not may provide, but it is worth asking, especially if you are within 2 weeks of your departure date.

Tracking a passport for someone else

You can only check the status of a passport application if you have the receipt number and the applicant's date of birth. The online tool does not require you to prove you are the applicant, so anyone with that information can look up the status. This means a family member, travel agent, or friend can check for you if you give them the receipt number.

If you are applying on behalf of a minor or an adult who cannot apply themselves, you will receive the receipt card, and you can track the application using that card. When the passport is ready, you will be the one to pick it up or receive it in the mail, depending on which option you chose.

If you need someone else to pick up your passport at an agency, you can authorize them in advance by filling out a form at the agency or by calling ahead. The rules vary by agency, so call the specific agency where your passport will be ready to ask what documentation they need from you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a text or email when my passport is ready?

No. The State Department does not send notifications by text or email. You must check the status tool yourself or call the National Passport Information Center to find out when your passport is ready. Set a reminder on your phone to check the status every few days if you have travel coming up.

What if the status tool says my application is lost or missing?

The online tool does not say an application is lost. If you cannot find your application in the tool and it has been more than a few days since you submitted it, call the National Passport Information Center. They can search by your name and date of birth and tell you whether the application was received and logged into the system.

How do I know if my passport was actually shipped or if it is still at the agency?

The status tool will say "Shipped" once your passport has been mailed. After that, you can track it through the postal service if you know the tracking number, but the passport agency does not automatically provide one. If you want tracking, call the National Passport Information Center and ask them to provide the tracking number for your shipment.

Can I change my address after I have submitted my application?

Yes, but only before your passport ships. Call the National Passport Information Center and provide your receipt number and new address. They can update your file if your application has not yet been approved. Once your passport has shipped, you cannot change the address, and you will need to pick it up from the original address or file a claim with the postal service if it does not arrive.

What happens if I travel before my passport arrives?

You cannot travel internationally without your passport in hand. If your passport has not arrived and you have a flight, call the National Passport Information Center immediately. They may be able to tell you whether your passport has shipped and provide a tracking number, or they may be able to expedite a replacement if yours is lost. Do not assume your passport will arrive in time — confirm it has shipped at least one week before your departure.