You've booked your flight, booked your hotel, and now you're ready to jet off on your next international adventure. But before you do, you have to make sure your passport is still valid.
Some countries require your passport to be valid for six months after your intended visit, so it's important to make sure you renew before it expires. Renewing a passport can take up to 13 weeks (you can find current processing times on the State Department website), and you need to make sure you have a good photo.
If you're waiting on your new passport, there are a few ways to check the status of your application. To check your passport status, you will need your last name, your date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
Check Your Passport Status Online
If you applied for your passport in person or by mail, you can check the status of your passport application on the State Department's website — status updates are typically available 14 days after you apply or renew your passport. Your application status will be listed as "Not Found," "In Process," "Approved," or "Mailed." There, you can also sign up for automatic email updates by entering your email address. If you applied online, you can check your status on your MyTravelGov account.
Check Your Passport Status by Phone
You can call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 (TDD/TTY) to check on your status. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays. You can use the automated system to check your passport information 24 hours a day.
What to Do If You Have Not Received Your Passport
If your passport has been issued, but you have not received it after at least 10 business days, you should call the National Passport Information Center and fill out a DS-86 form. You must report the fact that you have not received the passport within 90 days from the date it was issued, or you will have to reapply and pay the processing fees again.
What to Do If You Just Can’t Wait
Passport processing times can be over 13 weeks, but if you just can't wait, you can pay an extra fee to expedite the application and have it processed in five to seven weeks.
If you have an emergency, like a serious illness, injury, or death in your immediate family for which you need to travel outside the U.S. within three days, you can make an appointment for the emergency passport service by calling 1-877-487-2778 or 1-888-874-7793 (TTY/TDD) Monday through Friday (except for federal holidays) from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time. For help outside those times, call 202-647-4000.
What to Do If You Applied Outside the U.S.
If you are residing abroad or traveling long-term you can apply for a new passport with the nearest embassy or consulate. However, the application process varies by country and you will either have to apply in person or by mail. Often, consulates will have specific instructions about what mail service provider to use. If you've already applied, you will need to contact the consulate or embassy directly about the status of your application.
