Stop hitting refresh. Here are a few ways to check your passport renewal status

Waiting is hard, especially when you’re waiting for something important – like the arrival of your passport. But, don’t obsess over it. You can easily check your passport renewal status online or by phone. Or, you can have status reports sent to you.

A passport renewal status check is a few clicks away

First, be patient. You’ll need to wait seven to 10 days before checking the status of your renewal. At that time, log on to the State Department’s Online Passport Status System to find out when to expect your passport. You’ll just need a few key pieces of information:

  • Your last name, including any suffixes or hyphens
  • Your date of birth
  • The last four digits of your Social Security number

You can also request to have status updates sent to you by email. Once you’ve located your pending application, just enter your email address in the Online Passport Status System. The updates will be sent to you automatically.

Make a status inquiry by phone

If you’d rather use the phone, call the National Passport Information Center at 877-487-2778 or 888-874-7793 to reach a customer service representative. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can access automated passport information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Tip

The National Passport Information Center is closed on federal holidays.

U.S. passport problems? No problem

Go to USA.gov to contact an information specialist, or call 844-USA-GOV1 (844-872-4681) between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. On the website you can chat with a representative or use the email form provided. The available hours for chat are the same as those for phone contact.

If you’ve received word that your passport has been mailed, but it hasn’t arrived in 10 business days, contact the National Passport Information Center. You can email them at NPIC.gov, but they won’t send passport status information by email, so if you need more information, call. You’ll need to fill out the DS-86 form to report non-receipt of your passport.

Tip

You need to report that your passport has not arrived. If you don’t report it within 90 days from the date it was issued, you’ll have to reapply, and that will mean more fees.