So, you’ve received your new U.S. passport in the mail and are excited to start planning your international adventure, only to realize that your supporting documents are nowhere to be found.
As part of the passport application process, you have to send in originals or certified copies of some of your most personal forms of ID and proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or naturalization certificate. It can be nerve-wracking, anxiously wondering where those documents are, especially once your passport has arrived.
One of the most common questions we receive from our readers is, ‘When and how do I get my supporting documents back after applying for a passport?’
The answer: passports and citizenship documents are returned to you separately.
After you get your new passport, there’s almost always a delay for your supporting documents to arrive. These materials are not supposed to be mailed back to you with your new passport. Instead, they are mailed back to you separately, sometimes in multiple mailings.
So, while it might initially seem like your documents are missing, rest assured, they’re simply taking a different route back to you. Let’s delve into this process to better understand when and how you can expect to receive your supporting documents after applying for a passport.
Supporting Documents Required for U.S. Passports
When applying for a U.S. passport, you must provide supporting citizenship documents. These supporting documents verify your citizenship status, establish your identity, and validate any legal name changes if such changes occur.
The documents required for obtaining a US passport can differ based on the specific type of passport you’re applying for. Each type of passport serves different purposes and, therefore, necessitates different forms of verification.
It’s always recommended to check for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding document requirements for different types of passports. This ensures that you have all the necessary paperwork in order before beginning the passport application process, thereby making the process smoother and more efficient.
In addition to a relevant completed passport application form (e.g., new passports for adults and minors aged 16 and up: Form DS-11, passports for minors: Form DS-11, and passport renewals: Form DS-82), a recent passport photo, and relevant passport fees, you may need to provide any or all of the following supporting documents, if applicable:
- Fully valid, undamaged U.S. passport (may be expired)
- U.S. birth certificate (must meet specific requirements)
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
- Naturalization Certificate
- Proof of Citizenship
- In-state, fully valid driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo
- Name change document
Make sure that you have all of your required supporting documents in order with your relevant passport application form to ensure your application can be processed without unnecessary delays or denials.
Understanding the Mailing Process
When completing your passport application form, you must choose either routine or expedited processing.
You can opt for standard processing to receive your passport within 4 to 6 weeks or choose expedited service for a quicker turnaround of 2 to 3 weeks.
- Please note: these timeframes do not include delivery times. For an even faster service, you can visit a regional agency or hire a registered courier service.
Whether you apply for routine or expedited processing service by mail (passport renewal, only) or in person at a U.S. passport acceptance facility near you, your passport and supporting documents will be returned to you through the mail.
Expect to receive your passport and supporting documents in multiple mailings. The number of mailings is determined by the type(s) of document(s) you’ve applied for (i.e., passport book, passport card).
Passport Book Delivery
Passport books and citizenship documents will be returned to you in two separate mailings.
After receiving your passport, it may take up to 6 weeks before you receive a second mailing containing your citizenship documents.
- You can track the status of your passport application and subscribe to email updates through the U.S. Department of State website.
Passport Card Delivery
Similarly, your new U.S. passport card and citizenship documents will be sent in two separate mailings.
After receiving your passport card, it may take up to 6 weeks before you receive a second mailing containing your citizenship documents.
Receiving Both a Passport Book and Card
If you’ve applied for both a passport book and a passport card, you may receive three separate mailings: one for the new passport book, one for the new passport card, and one for the citizenship documents.
Again, it may take up to 6 weeks after receiving your passport book and passport card before you receive your citizenship documents.
What to Do If Your Citizenship Documents Don’t Arrive
If it has been over 6 weeks since you received your requested documents and you still have not received a mailing with your supporting citizenship documents, you must contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
Key Takeaways
- Passport Application: U.S. passport applicants must provide documents to prove citizenship, identity, and any name changes. Document requirements vary by passport type.
- Document Verification: Different passports serve different purposes and require specific verification. Always check the latest document requirements for a smooth application process.
- Application Process: Applicants submit a completed form, a recent photo, processing fees, and supporting documents such as a valid U.S. passport, birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, naturalization certificate, proof of citizenship, driver’s license, and name change document.
- Passport Mailing and Delivery: Choose between routine or expedited processing. Routine processing takes between 4 and 6 weeks. Expedited processing takes between 2 and 3 weeks. Passports and supporting documents are mailed back to you in multiple mailings.
- Supporting Documents Delivery: Expect up to 6 weeks for citizenship documents to be mailed back to you.
- Application Tracking: Track your passport application status and sign up for email updates on the U.S. Department of State website.
- Department Contact: If citizenship documents don’t arrive within 6 weeks of receiving the passport, contact the U.S. Department of State.
FAQs Answered
Your original passport and marriage certificate should arrive soon. These documents are usually sent separately from the new passport. If they do not arrive after a couple of weeks, please contact the National Passport Information Center by calling 1-877-487-2778 toll-free.
Automated Passport Information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can speak with a representative Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, excluding federal holidays.
Your documents may have arrived at your old address and have been returned to the sender. You need to contact the National Passport Information Center again to clarify. Lines are very busy, so you need to try several times during the day to reach someone.
Supporting documents are returned through regular non-traceable mail. There is no tracking number available. Please contact the National Passport Information Center if you have not received your Certificate of Naturalization after 8 weeks of receiving your new passport.
At this point, you can only wait for the document to arrive. Since the other documents have been returned, it is safe to assume that the missing document will also arrive. Delivery is probably just delayed.
Supporting documents are not mailed through a traceable delivery method, so there is no way of tracking them. All you can do is confirm with the National Passport Information Center that the documents have been sent your way and wait until those documents arrive. Persistence is key when trying to reach them by phone.
Standard processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Since there were missing documents, you can expect delays in the processing. At this time, your passport may still be in process.
You may check the status of the application through the U.S. Department of State website.
Please note: once the process is completed, your new passport and birth certificate will be sent to you in separate mailings.
If passport services have confirmed that the document has been mailed back and advised you to wait, the problem may be with the postal service.
Unfortunately, supporting documents are not sent back using traceable mail, so it will be difficult to track the package.
USPS is receiving an unprecedented volume of mail, which may also account for the delay. Moreover, there is a percentage of mail that gets lost while in transit or upon arrival at its destination.
We recommend that you contact your local post office to see if there is something they can do to help you.
The Department of State gives you 90 days to file Form DS-86 Statement of Non-Receipt of U.S. Passport. If it has been over 90 days, you need to submit a new application.
To find out when the passport was issued, you may call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 or check the status here: https://passportstatus.state.gov/.
The documents are supposed to be returned after final review by the State Department. Please reach out to passport services through their feedback page. If they are permanently lost, you will need to request certified copies from your state's vital records office.
Compare Your Fast Passport Options
If routine service is too slow, you may need an agency appointment or help from a registered courier. Compare your options before you decide.
