Passport Tracking Guide

Once your passport application has been submitted, there are several different things you may want to track:

  • Your application with the U.S. Department of State
  • Your shipment to the Courier
  • Your completed passport as it is returned
  • Your original supporting documents

These are separate parts of the process and may use different tracking systems.

Track Your Passport Application

The U.S. Department of State provides an official online passport-status system.

To check your application status, you will generally need:

  • Your last name
  • Your date of birth
  • The last four digits of your Social Security number

Official passport status information is available through the U.S. Department of State.

Passport Application Status:
https://passportstatus.state.gov/

For applications submitted through ordinary mail or an Acceptance Facility, it may take time before the application appears in the government’s system.

Urgent Courier submissions follow a different transportation path, but the application still must be entered into the State Department’s processing system before an online status becomes available.

Understanding Passport Status Messages

In Process

In Process means the application is being reviewed at a U.S. Passport Agency or Passport Center.

The application remains under government review until the State Department completes adjudication or requests additional information.

Approved

Approved means the State Department has completed its review and is preparing to print the passport.

Occasionally, an application may return to an In Process status if an issue is discovered during final review.

Passport Mailed

Passport Mailed means the new passport has been sent to the mailing address provided with the application.

For a passport book, this status normally includes tracking information for the return shipment.

Supporting Documents Mailed

Original supporting documents are generally returned separately from the new passport.

These documents may include:

  • Previous U.S. passport
  • Birth certificate
  • Certificate of Naturalization
  • Other original citizenship evidence

Do not assume that an original document is missing simply because the new passport arrived first.

Tracking Your Shipment to the Courier

If your 48HourPassport.com order requires documents to be shipped to the Courier, use the tracking number provided by the shipping carrier.

For most urgent Courier shipments, follow the specific shipping instructions provided with your current order.

When overnight FedEx is required, you can track the package at:

FedEx:
https://www.fedex.com/

Keep your tracking number until delivery has been confirmed.

Track the Package Until It Is Delivered

Do not simply ship an urgent passport package and forget about it.

Check the tracking information and confirm that the package was delivered to the correct destination.

If the carrier reports a delay, exception, incorrect address, or delivery problem, contact the carrier and your Passport Specialist promptly.

With urgent international travel, even a one-day transportation problem can matter.

Tracking the Completed Passport

Once the U.S. Department of State finishes processing the application and mails the passport book, the government status system may provide a tracking number.

The return carrier may vary depending on the government delivery method associated with the application.

Common carriers may include:

  • U.S. Postal Service
  • UPS
  • Other trackable delivery services used by the State Department

Use the tracking number shown in the government status information to follow the return shipment.

Supporting Documents Usually Arrive Separately

Your new passport and your original supporting documents may arrive in separate mailings.

Supporting documents can include:

  • Birth certificate
  • Previous passport
  • Naturalization certificate
  • Citizenship certificate

The State Department advises that supporting documents may arrive up to four weeks after the passport.

Do not panic if the passport arrives first.

What If the Status Says Additional Information Is Needed?

If the State Department needs more information to complete your application, the application may be placed on hold.

The government may request:

  • Additional citizenship evidence
  • New passport photo
  • Missing signature
  • Correct government payment
  • Additional identification
  • Parental documentation
  • Other information required to complete adjudication

Follow the instructions in the State Department’s letter or email promptly.

A request for additional information can delay processing.

If you are a 48HourPassport.com customer and receive a government request concerning your urgent application, contact your Passport Specialist.

What If the Online Status Does Not Appear?

For ordinary applications, it can take time before the application appears in the State Department system.

If you receive an error:

  • Confirm that your name is entered exactly as it appears on the application
  • Include suffixes such as Jr. or III when applicable
  • Try variations if your last name contains a hyphen or apostrophe
  • Confirm your date of birth
  • Confirm the last four digits of your Social Security number

Temporary system maintenance can also make the status system unavailable.

What If Tracking Shows Delivered but the Government Status Is Not Available?

A shipping carrier showing a package as delivered does not necessarily mean the application has already been entered into the government’s passport-status system.

Transportation, intake, payment processing, data entry, and Passport Agency processing are separate steps.

Allow the appropriate time for the government system to recognize the application.

What If My Passport Was Mailed but Has Not Arrived?

If the State Department status shows that your passport book was mailed, use the tracking number provided in the status system.

If tracking shows a carrier problem, contact the carrier promptly.

If the passport appears to have been lost after being mailed, follow the State Department’s instructions for reporting a passport that was not received.

Keep Your Tracking Numbers

During an urgent passport application, keep a record of:

  • FedEx tracking number to the Courier
  • Courier delivery confirmation
  • Passport application status
  • Government return tracking number
  • Any tracking information relating to supporting documents

Do not discard tracking information until you have received your passport and the documents you expect to be returned.

Passport Tracking Checklist

Before considering the process complete, confirm:

  • □ Documents reached the Courier when applicable
  • □ Passport application entered government processing
  • □ Application status reviewed
  • □ Any government request for additional information answered
  • □ Passport approved
  • □ Passport return shipment tracked
  • □ Passport received
  • □ Original supporting documents returned

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I check my official passport application status?

Use the U.S. Department of State’s official passport-status system at:

https://passportstatus.state.gov

What does In Process mean?

It means the State Department is reviewing your application at a Passport Agency or Center.

What does Approved mean?

The government has completed its review and is preparing the passport for printing.

Will I receive a tracking number for my new passport?

When a passport book is mailed using a trackable delivery service, the Passport Mailed status should include tracking information.

Will my birth certificate come back with my passport?

Not necessarily.

Supporting documents such as a birth certificate or previous passport are usually returned separately and may arrive later.

How long can supporting documents take to arrive?

The State Department advises that supporting documents may arrive up to four weeks after the passport.

Should I track my FedEx package to the Courier?

Yes.

For an urgent application, confirm that the package was delivered successfully and retain the tracking number.

Does a delivery confirmation mean my passport is already being processed?

Not necessarily.

Delivery to a destination and entry into the State Department’s passport-processing system are separate events.

What should I do if the State Department asks for more information?

Respond promptly according to the instructions in the government’s letter or email.

48HourPassport.com customers should also contact their Passport Specialist if the request relates to an urgent application.

Official Tracking Resources

U.S. Department of State — Check Your Application Status
https://travel.state.gov/en/passports/after-you-apply/application-status.html

Official Passport Status System
https://passportstatus.state.gov/

FedEx Tracking
https://www.fedex.com/

UPS Tracking
https://www.ups.com/

USPS Tracking
https://www.usps.com/

Related 48HourPassport.com Resources

  • Passport Processing Times Explained
  • Common Passport Mistakes
  • Passport Help Center
  • Sealed Envelope Process
  • Passport Agency Submission Explained
  • How 48 Hour Processing Works
  • Our Courier Network

Need Help With an Urgent Passport?

If you are a 48HourPassport.com customer and have a question about your application, shipping, Courier submission, or government status:

Call 833-220-0002

Email: service@48hourpassport.com

Have your name and order information available.

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