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Can You Check the Status of a Passport Application?

Worried travelers have a few options to check the status of their passport application.

You have your professional picture all set, and you’ve submitted your Passport Application to the government.

Maybe you’re going on a business trip in a few short weeks, or you and your family are headed overseas to visit family and friends. With the creation of Mobile Passport Control, maybe you just want to update information on that app.

Despite an attempt to be patient, the excitement of the trip and anticipation of waiting for your passport is getting to be too much to bear.

Is there a way to find out the status of your passport application?

The answer is, yes! As a matter of fact, there are several ways for you to check on the status of your passport. You can check the status via email, telephone, as well as online.

Checking the status of your passport application by email

If you’re not in a rush and need to know the status ASAP, then this may be the option for you.

Send an email to NPIC@state.gov. In the body of the email, be sure to include your last name, including suffixes, the last four digits of your Social Security Number, your birthdate, and application number.

Checking the status of your passport application by phone

Contacting the status of your application by telephone is the second quickest way of finding out your status. According to the Department of State, the best time to call is between 8:30 pm and 9 am Eastern Standard Time (EST).

Their Call Center hours are:

  • Monday – Friday 8 am – 10 pm EST
  • Saturday 10 am – 3 pm EST
  • The number to call is 1-877-487-2778.
  • If you’re hearing impaired, call 1-888-874-7793.

Checking the status of your passport application online

This is by far the fastest way to check on the status of your passport.

All you do is go to the Department of State’s website and enter your last name, including the suffix or hyphens, in addition to your date of birth, SSN, and application number. Submit the information, and you’ll receive your results in a few seconds. Make sure that you use the designated formatting for your information. Otherwise, you may receive an error message.

When checking the status of your passport, make sure that all the information is correct and if you’ve moved, be sure to notify the Department of State of your new address. Also, it’s best to check on the status of your application seven to ten business days after you submitted it to the Department of State.

So, even if you submitted a passport application late and need the booklet expedited, there always is a way to check on the document.

Do you have any other passport needs? Questions about that document or a travel visa to visit another country? Passport Health can help! Give us a call at or take a look at any of our other passport and visa services.

Written for Passport Health by Sabrina Cortes. Sabrina is a freelance writer with a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgian Court University. She currently lives in the Smokey Mountains of western North Carolina.