We are experiencing delays in receiving passport applications due to unprecedented mail volume and other COVID-19 impacts on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). While status updates are generally available 14 days after you apply or renew, it may take longer than 14 days for us to receive your application.
Our call center is experiencing extremely high call volumes with longer-than-usual wait times. You can check your status online using our Online Passport Status System.
You can check your application status online or by phone. You will need the following information:
Check Online
Check By Phone
| Application Status | Description |
|---|---|
| Not Found | If you are checking your status less than 14 days after you applied, your application is still in transit to one of our agencies or centers. If it has been more than 14 days, Not Found generally means we are experiencing a temporary technical issue with our Online Passport Status System. |
| In Process | Your application is being reviewed at one of our agencies or centers. The length of time your application remains In Process depends on the service you selected and our current processing times. |
| Approved | We have finished reviewing your application and will begin printing your completed passport. |
| Mailed | We are sending your passport to the address you provided on your application. Check our Online Passport Status System for the tracking number. We will send your supporting documents such as birth certificates and previous passports in a separate mailing. |
If the Online Passport Status System or the National Passport Information Center say your newly-issued passport has been mailed out, but you have not received it after 10 business days, please contact the National Passport Information Center. Customer service representatives will help you complete a special form (known as the DS-86 form) which is a signed statement that you didn't receive your U.S. passport.
You have 90 days from the date your passport was issued to complete the DS-86 form. After 90 days, you must reapply and pay all fees.
If the mailing address you provided on your application or your child's application has changed and you're waiting for a U.S. passport book, passport card, or return of citizenship evidence documents, please contact the National Passport Information Center. You do not need to contact us if your address changed after you received your passport.
When completing your child's passport application, we recommend you add your name in the “In Care Of” part of the Mailing Address section on Form DS-11.
Passports can be delivered only if your name is connected to your address. If you want to receive your passport at an address other than your own, or an address where you are not registered, the passport must be sent “In Care Of” someone else.
You will likely receive multiple mailings depending on what document(s) you applied for:
Passport Book: You may receive your newly-issued passport and your citizenship documents (examples: previous passport or birth certificate) separately. Please contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. We can send your passport book using a 1-2 day delivery service.
Passport Card: You may receive your newly-issued passport card and your citizenship documents (examples: previous passport or birth certificate) separately. Please contact NPIC if you do not receive a second mailing within 10 business days of receiving the first. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send passport cards using 1-2 day delivery services.
Both a Passport Book and Card: You may receive three separate mailings; one with your citizenship documents (examples: previous passport or birth certificate), one with your newly-issued passport book, and one with your newly-issued passport card. Please contact NPIC if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the first mailing.
