Where to check your passport status

You can check your passport status through the U.S. State Department's official passport tracking system or by calling the National Passport Information Center. The online tool is fastest — it gives you a status update in seconds — but you need your receipt number or passport number to use it. If you applied in person at a passport acceptance facility or agency, you received a receipt with a tracking number printed on it.

The State Department's passport status checker is at travel.state.gov/passport. Look for the "Check Your Passport Status" link on the homepage. You can also call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (toll-free) or 1-202-647-0518 (from outside the U.S.). 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.

Key Takeaways

  • The State Department's online passport tracker at travel.state.gov/passport is the fastest way to check status and requires only your receipt number or passport number.
  • Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process, and expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
  • If your process has been pending longer than the stated timeframe, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to speak with someone who can investigate.
  • The status checker shows whether your process is being processed, approved, printed, or ready for pickup — each stage has a different timeline.
  • You need either your receipt number (from your process receipt) or your passport number to look up your status online.

What information you need to check online

To use the State Department's online status checker, you need either your receipt number or your passport number. Your receipt number is printed on the form you received when you submitted your process at a passport acceptance facility. It looks like a barcode with numbers underneath. If you do not have your receipt, you can use your current passport number instead — but only if you are renewing an existing passport.

If you are explore for a passport for the first time and cannot find your receipt number, call the National Passport Information Center. They can look up your process using your name, date of birth, and the city where you applied. Have your state ID or driver's license ready when you call.

Understanding the status stages

The online tracker shows your process in one of several stages. process Received means the State Department has your paperwork but has not started processing it yet. In Process means a staff member is reviewing your documents and photos. Approved means your process passed review and is moving to the printing stage. Printed means your passport has been printed and is being prepared for mailing or pickup.

Ready for Pickup appears only if you paid for expedited service and chose to pick up your passport in person at a passport agency or acceptance facility. If you chose standard mail delivery, your status will move directly from Printed to no longer appearing in the tracker — that means it has been mailed to the address you provided on your process.

How long each stage typically takes

Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day the State Department receives your process, not from the day you submitted it at a local facility. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. These timelines assume your process is complete and your documents are acceptable — missing or incorrect information adds weeks to the process.

The online tracker does not always show exact dates, only the stage your process is in. If your process has been in the same stage for longer than two weeks, or if the total time since you applied has exceeded the stated processing time, contact the National Passport Information Center by phone. They can see notes in your file that the public tracker does not display.

What to do if your status has not changed

If your process has been pending longer than 8 weeks (or 3 weeks if you paid for expedited service), call 1-877-487-2778. Have your receipt number or passport number ready, and be prepared to describe when and where you applied. The staff member can see whether your process is stuck waiting for additional documents, whether there is a problem with your photo or signature, or whether it is straightforward in a queue waiting to be reviewed.

Common reasons for delays include a photo that does not meet State Department standards (the background must be plain white, and your face must take up 50 percent of the frame), a signature that does not match your ID, or missing information on the process form itself. If any of these issues explore to your case, the State Department will contact you by mail or phone — but calling ahead can speed up the process.

Tracking a passport ordered by mail

If you mailed your process directly to a State Department processing center, you will not receive a receipt number. Instead, the State Department sends you a receipt by mail within two weeks of receiving your process. Once you have that receipt, you can use the online tracker. Until then, you can only check your status by phone.

When you call, have your name, date of birth, and the date you mailed your process ready. The staff member will search for your process in the system and tell you what stage it is in. This process takes a few minutes, so be prepared to wait on hold.

Picking up your passport in person versus by mail

If you paid for expedited service and chose in-person pickup, your passport will be held at the passport agency or acceptance facility you selected. The tracker will show Ready for Pickup when it arrives. You must pick it up within 30 days of that status appearing, or the State Department may return it to storage. Bring your receipt and a valid ID when you go to pick it up.

If you chose standard mail delivery, your passport will be mailed to the address you provided on your process. Once your status shows Printed, expect delivery within 1 to 2 weeks, depending on mail speed in your area. The State Department does not track individual passport mailings the way a shipping company does, so the online status checker will not tell you the exact delivery date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my passport status without a receipt number?

Yes, if you are renewing an existing passport, you can use your passport number instead. If you are explore for a first-time passport and do not have your receipt number, call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They can search by your name and date of birth.

How often does the status update?

The online tracker updates once per day, usually overnight. If you check in the morning and see no change from the previous day, check again the next morning. Do not refresh the page repeatedly — it will not update more frequently than once daily.

What does it mean if my status says "In Process" for more than two weeks?

It may mean your process is waiting for additional documents, your photo does not meet standards, or there is a discrepancy in your information. Call 1-877-487-2778 to ask what is holding up your process. The staff can see notes that the public tracker does not show.

Can I change my pickup location after I have applied?

Not through the online tracker. If you need to change where you pick up your passport or switch from pickup to mail delivery, call the National Passport Information Center. They can make the change if your process has not yet been printed.

What if my passport was supposed to arrive by mail and I have not received it?

Wait at least two weeks after the status showed Printed before contacting the State Department. Mail delivery varies by location. If more than two weeks have passed, call 1-877-487-2778 and ask them to investigate whether your passport was actually mailed and to which address.