Simple Ways to Check Passport Status by Name

If you’re curious about the progress of your passport application, you can find out how to check passport status by name to ease your mind, especially for people who love to travel.

A passport is like a magical key that unlocks doors to new cultures and places far away. But without one, those dream trips are just out of reach.

Getting a new passport or renewing an old one can take longer than you think, which can be stressful if you’re itching to go on a new adventure.

Luckily, you can keep track of your passport application while it’s being processed to see how it’s coming along.

Let’s look at how to check passport status and what you should know about passports.

How To Check Passport Status By Name

If you applied for a new passport or renewed your existing one, you can stay updated on its status by signing up for email notifications from the U.S. Department of State.

Once you submit your application, it first goes through payment processing and then gets sent to a passport center. It might take up to two weeks for the status to be updated during this process.

There are two main ways to check your passport’s status:

1. Online

This is probably the quickest and easiest option for most people.

You’ll need to provide your last name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

Remember that you can’t track special issuance passports using this method.

These include diplomatic, official, service, and certain no-fee regular passports.

2. By Phone

You can also check your passport’s status by calling 877-487-2778.

Representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET on Saturday and Sunday, except on federal holidays.

If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the teletype line at 888-874-7793. 

Unfortunately, you can’t check your passport status by email, but if you need to cancel an appointment at a passport agency or center, you can email this address.

What Do U.S. Passport Status Updates Mean?

Once you find your application in the system, you can sign up for updates by providing your email address.

Here’s what different status updates mean:

1. Not available: This means your passport has not been processed by the center. The delivery might take up to two weeks, or the website might have some technical problem.

2. In process: Your application has reached a processing center and is currently being reviewed.

3. Approved: We have considered your application, and your new passport is now being printed.

4. Passport Mailed: We have successfully shipped your passport to the address you have provided. Through the application status page, you can retrieve the tracking number by entering your details.

5. Supporting Documents Mailed: All other documents that you attached to your application, such as your old passport or birth certificate, have been sent to you separately from your passport through a different channel.

How Do I Know if My Passport is Still Valid?

To find out when your passport expires, look at the page with your personal information.

It will contain the date when your passport was issued and the date until its expiration. Ensure it is valid for at least six months after the date you are planning to return.

In most cases, passports remain valid for 5 to 10 years. However, not all people remember to verify their expiration date.

If your passport has less than 3 or 6 months of validity left, most countries will deny you the right to travel.

If you need to locate your passport number on the internet, you can usually only do that if you have saved it on a website or with a travel company, such as an airline.

Also, you can get email updates on your passport application if you want.

The status “Not Available” indicates that your application is still being reviewed, and “In Process” means that it is being processed.

Can I Travel if My Passport Expires in 3 Months?

Different countries have different rules about passport expiration dates, so it is important to check the requirements before planning a trip.

Some of them may allow you to travel even if your passport has less than 3 months left before the expiry date, but some of them won’t.

Most of the time, your passport is not valid if it is about to expire within 3 to 6 months, and it can be a challenge to enter another country.

You will get a new passport number after you renew your passport. Each passport has its unique serial number, so when you go to renew, you will always have a different number.

A passport is a document that proves your identity and nationality and is issued by your government to facilitate international travel.

At this time, the U.S. State Department is facing trouble in processing passport applications due to the high number of requests and the low number of staff.

Standard applications are processed in 10 to 13 weeks whereas expedited ones might be done in 7 to 9 weeks.

During the application for a passport, you are assigned a unique 12-digit reference number. This number will enable you to log onto our website and check your application status.

It is assigned to all passport applicants and makes it possible to track your application. The date your passport or ID is issued is of utmost importance because it tells you how long it is valid.

IDs and passports are the most critical identification tools, especially when one is traveling.

What to Do if You Haven’t Received Your Passport

If your passport is labeled as “mailed” but you haven’t received it within 14 days, call the National Passport Information Center.

They will be the ones to get in touch with the passport agency on your behalf.

They’ll ask you to fill in a form (DS-86) which is a confirmation form that you didn’t get your passport.

Keep in mind that this must be done within 90 days of the date it was supposed to be issued, or else you will have to apply again and pay the fee.

If you have to wait until your passport arrives after you report it lost, it will be canceled, and you cannot use it.

Even if it’s during the week or weekend, you’ll have to go to a passport center and apply for urgent service.

Checking your passport application status is not a hard thing to do. You can do it online or by calling the toll-free Passport Information Center.

Only need to have your details ready. Wait for ten days after which you can check. If you have enough patience, you’ll get your passport and soon you will be ready to go for your travel.