Check Status of Passport Application

Learn how to check status of your passport application. With an ever expanding international travel industry. A valid U.S. passport has become a vital travel accessory. Applying for a passport is now easier than ever, with online and in-person options for completing the application process. The U.S. Department of State offers three speeds of application processing: regular service, which takes six weeks, expedited service, which takes three weeks, and expedited at-agency service, which takes eight days. Shorter processing times come at a higher cost.

Some travelers might find themselves facing crucial travel deadlines to complete the process before their big trip. Once a passport application is submitted to the Department of State, applicants can run a status check to find out where they stand in the approval process. The U.S. Department of State offers U.S. passport information on its website at travel.state.gov, where the online application, information regarding the application process and information regarding application status checks can be found.

To run a check status on your already submitted passport application, click on U.S. Passport, which will direct you to a new screen, and select Check Application Status from the menu on the left side. There, you will be prompted to enter your last name, date of birth, and last four digits of your social security number, after which you will be shown the status of your application and where it stands in the approval process. Once an application is submitted, it will typically take around seven to ten business days before it is entered into the system. Once the application is in the system, a status check can be run at any time to see how far along the application is in the approval process. If an application has not yet been entered into the system, applicants have the option of registering an email address by which to receive application status updates.

Passports holders and applicants can also find on the U.S. Department of State’s website information regarding applicable fees for obtaining or renewing a passport or passport card or reporting a lost or stolen passport. The website also offers valuable information regarding international travel and any applicable health or safety alerts for regions throughout the world.