Before you can take off for your next adventure, make sure your passport is still valid. Did you know that the time to process U.S. passports is between 10-12 weeks? Once you’ve submitted your application, there are a few ways to check the status. You’ll need your last name, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Here’s everything you need to know about how to check your passport.
Check Passport Status Online
You can check the status of your passport application on the State Department’s website. Status updates are usually available 14 days after you’ve submitted the application. The status will be “Not Found”, “In Process”, “Approved”, or “Mailed”.
Check Passport Status by Phone
You can call National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 to check the status. The center is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST. The automated system is also an option for checking your passport status and it’s open 24 hours a day.
What to Do If You Can’t Wait
If for some reason you can’t wait between 10-12 weeks, you can pay an extra fee to expedite the application and have it processed in four to six weeks.
For emergencies, like illnesses, deaths, or injuries that you need to travel outside of the country for within three days, you can make an appointment for the emergency passport service by calling 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST or 202-647-4000 outside of those business hours.
