# Travel >> Travel Preparation >> Passports

How to See If Your Passport Has Been Processed

With neighboring countries such as Mexico and Canada now requiring U.S. citizens to present a passport to gain entry, the United States Passport has risen in importance in recent years. As such, processing delays for issuing U.S. Passports are at an all time high as more and more individuals seek to obtain what has become the requisite travel document. For those enduring the long processing delays while the dates of their scheduled travel draw close, being able to monitor the status of a passport application is a welcomed and much needed convenience.

Instructions

Checking U.S. Passport Application Status Using the Internet
- 1
  Open your web browser and enter the web address for checking a U.S. passport application status online found in the Resources section of this article.
- 2
  Click the toggle button indicating you have read the privacy and fraud notices and disclaimers before entering the site and then click "Submit."
- 3
  Enter your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number and click "Submit" to continue.
- 4
  Note the status of your application on the following page, or optionally a record locator number. Also, you may register an email address to receive notification when your application status changes in the lower portion of the status screen.
Checking U.S. Passport Application Status Using a Telephone
- 5
  Dial the following number using your telephone 877-487-2778. Note that the service is only available between 6 a.m. and midnight Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday EST.
- 6
  Follow the voice prompts for requisite data needed to locate the status of the passport application.
- 7
  Provide your last name, date of birth, and last four digits of your Social Security number or optionally the record locator number of your application, if known, to obtain your application status.