How to Check the Progress of a Passport

Online

• 1

  Go to the U.S. Department of State website and click "Passports."

• 2

  Click on "Application Status" and then on "Check Application Status."

• 3

  Read the disclaimer and check the box confirming that you have read it. Click "Submit."

• 4

  Enter the applicant's last name, birth date and last four digit's of your social security number in the appropriate boxes. Click "Submit."

• 5

  Your passport status information will be displayed. You may then input your email address to receive updates on your passport status by entering your email address in each box and clicking "Submit."

Phone

• 6

  Call the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778. Customer service representatives are only available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., eastern time. The center is closed on federal holidays.

• 7

  Press "1" for English or "2" for Spanish. If neither of these apply to you or if your phone isn't a touch-tone phone, hold for an operator.

• 8

  Press "1" to check the status of your passport application.

• 9

  Speak with a customer service representative. You will need the applicant's full name, social security number and date of birth. The representative will be able to give you up-to-date information on your application.