Easy Ways to Check Your Passport Application Status

If you are heading abroad on vacation this summer, then now is the perfect time to make sure that your travel documents are all in order. It can take between weeks and months to complete a US passport renewal, and the US Department of State recommends that you start planning passport renewal requests at least six months before your departure date.

Whether you are applying for a US online passport renewal or have mailed in your form, you can currently expect a wait of between 10 to 13 weeks (not including mailing times). An expedited renewal can take between seven and nine weeks. So, the earlier you get organized the better.

In the article below we will talk you through everything you need to know about Passport Renewal USA online or by mail. We’ll talk you through the entire process of checking your status. So, let’s begin!

How to Check Your Passport Renewal USA Online if You Renewed By Mail or In Person

If you have already applied to renew your passport, you can check your status online for updates on how far along your application has progressed. However, you will need to wait approximately two weeks after submitting your application before this service will be available for your renewal.

To track your passport renewal online, you will need to input the following information:

· Name

· Date of Birth

· The last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN.)

If you input this information before your passport renewal has met a trackable stage, your application will show up as either “In Process “which means it has been received and will be reviewed, or “Not Found” which means it is currently in transit to the agency.

Other status stages include:

· Submitted – Your application has been submitted but the agency has not yet received it and begun processing.

· Approved – Your renewal application has been processed and your passport will be printed.

· Mailed – Your new passport has been mailed out to you. You can get the tracking number for your passport by heading to the US online passport renewal status check page.

· You can provide an email address at this stage so that you can receive updates about your renewal directly to your inbox.

How to Check Your US Online Passport Renewal Status

If you applied to renew your passport online, then you should receive updates about your application at the email address provided when you applied. However, you can also log in to your online account at MyTravelGov to check your current renewal status.

How to Check Your Passport Renewal Status by Phone

if you would prefer to contact the passport center directly, you can call the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778. If you are hard of hearing, you should call 888-874-7793. The office is closed on Sundays, but you can call between 8 am to 10 pm Monday to Friday, and 10 am to 3 pm on Saturdays. You will be able to talk to an agent directly about your passport renewal USA status.

How Long Does It Take to Renew Your Passport?

Your US Online passport renewal will take several weeks to be processed. Times can vary, but as of July the current processing times are:

• Routine Passport Renewal – 10 to 13 weeks.
• Expedited Passport Renewal USA online or by mail – 7 to 9 weeks.
• Expedited at Agency Passport Renewal – To access this you must have international travel booked within two weeks.

These times are estimated for US Online passport renewals. If you have applied by mail you should add another two weeks to cover the time it will take for your application to reach the agency, and then be sent back to you after the renewal.

If you recently applied for your passport renewal between February and March 2023, here are your expected processing times:

• Routine renewal – Between 8 to 11 weeks.
• Expedited Process – 5 to 7 weeks.
• Expedited at agency Renewal – You need to have international travel booked within fourteen days to access this service.

What to Do If You Need Your Passport Renewal USA for Urgent Travel?

If you are facing a long processing wait for your passport renewal and don’t think you’ll have your passport in time, you may be able to access a speeded-up service. Whether you qualify for this service will depend on your date of travel and current application status.

Here are the phone numbers you need to contact based on your current renewal status:

• If you are traveling in 5 days or fewer – Call 1-877-487-2778 or make an in-person appointment at your local passport center or agency.
• Are you traveling within 6 to 14 days? – Phone Call 1-877-487-2778 for assistance and to speed up your processing time.
• If you are traveling in two weeks or more – You should not phone the agency unless you want to upgrade to an expedited renewal or mailing process or change vital information such as your mailing address.

If you haven’t submitted your application yet and need to travel within fourteen days, you should call the number above, or make an in-person appointment at your local passport agency or center.

Takeaway - Easy Ways to Check Your Passport Application Status.

Once you have applied for your passport renewal US, you will be able to track your status either through the Passport Renewal USA online service or by calling the center directly. Because current processing times can take between ten to thirteen weeks, you should make sure to apply for your renewal as soon as possible, particularly if you are sending your application in by mail.

You can speed up the process by paying $60 on top of your $130 renewal fee to access an expedited service, This should cut down on your waiting time by approximately three or four weeks. If you haven’t started your application yet, you may qualify for emergency assistance and should contact your local agency or phone the numbers detailed above.