How to Check Passport Application Status Online by File Number 2026

Last Updated: 2 July 2026

To determine the status of your passport application, you should go to the Passport Seva portal and enter the 15-digit reference number and date of birth. Your status then appears on screen straight away. You can check the status of your passport application by visiting the portal via passportindia.gov.in, or by using the mPassport Seva application. There are no costs associated with checking the status of your passport application, and you can also get updates of your application status through SMS or by calling the National Call Center. The only official source for passport updates and application submissions is the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), while Passport Seva provides management for all updates.

Overview: What You Need to Check Passport Status

Detail	Information
Service	Track passport application status
Authority	Passport Seva, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
What you need	15-digit File Number + applicant's date of birth
Channels	Website, mPassport Seva app, SMS, National Call Centre
Cost	Free (SMS status reply and optional SMS alerts may carry a small charge)
When it updates	Usually within a few working days of each stage

Jaagruk Bharat, a private company offering help desk support services, has made the process of applying for a Passport and tracking the status of a passport easier by working alongside the Government system providing these services.

Where Do I Find My Passport File Number?

Your application tracking number, also known as your file number (the code you received when submitting your application to Passport Seva), is the tool you should use to track the status of your request. Don't misplace or lose this important piece of information - keep it in a secure location.

You will find it in one of these places:

On the Application Receipt / Acknowledgement Letter handed to you at the exit counter of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK).
In the confirmation email or SMS sent by Passport Seva after your appointment.
On the top-right corner of the printed acknowledgement slip.

A file number appears as BNG071268435013. (This is a previously assigned file number, an example of how a previous file number should look to assist in the verification of your new or existing file number). If you no longer remember your file number, you can view it in your Passport Seva account by clicking on View Saved/Submitted Application.

How Do I Check Passport Status Online (Step by Step)?

To check your progress on this website, please navigate to the Passport Seva website's Track Application Status page, where you will need to enter both your File Number and date of birth into the validation form provided; results are supplied immediately at no cost.

Follow these steps:

Go to the official Passport Seva Track Application Status page.
Under "Select Application Type", choose Passport/PCC/IC/GEP (or the type that matches your application).
Enter your 15-digit File Number.
Enter the applicant's date of birth in the format shown.
Click Track Status.

Once you have finished locating your files, then you'll see the file's condition (InProcess, Completed, etc.) in that page. However, it is unnecessary for you to use this tracker by signing in.

How Do I Check Passport Status on the mPassport Seva App?

To verify your application status via the mPassport Seva application on your phone, you must have your valid file number and date of birth. The application is a government-developed app created by the Ministry of External Affairs and it can be downloaded for no charge.

Install mPassport Seva from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store (check the developer is the Ministry of External Affairs).
Open the app and tap Track Application Status.
Choose the application type (Passport/PCC/IC/GEP).
Enter your File Number and date of birth.
Tap Track to see your latest status.

For further information please check out the official mPassport Seva app page. You can access your Appointment Information via mPassport Seva App and also find a Passport Seva Kendra location.

How Do I Check Passport Status by SMS?

To check on your status by SMS, send a text with the word STATUS, a space, then your file number to 9704100100. You will receive a message back with your status. This is helpful for those not having Internet access.

The format is:

STATUS <File Number> sent to 9704100100

For example: STATUS BNG071268435013.

There are two separate SMS features:

SMS status check (above): a one-time reply on demand. As a premium SMS, carrier charges may apply.
SMS alert enrolment: an optional service, usually ₹50, that you opt into at the Passport Seva Kendra for automatic updates at each stage. This charge is separate from your passport fee.

What Do the Passport Status Messages Mean?

Communication of your application's progress is achieved through various types of feedback messages, including the submission of your application (police check), grant and print of your application, and where your application can be delivered.

Status message	What it means
Application Submitted / Under Review	Your form has been received and is being processed by Passport Seva.
Application Registered	Your details are in the system with a File Number assigned.
Police Verification Initiated	Your file has been sent to the local police for verification (pre or post issuance).
Police Verification Report Received	The police have submitted their report to the passport office.
Granted	Your passport has been approved.
Under Printing	The physical passport booklet is being printed.
Passport Dispatched	Your passport has been handed to India Post / Speed Post for delivery.

Your application's current status indicates if it is pending or if more documentation is needed for processing. Passport Services will give you further directions based on your application's current status, regardless of whether it is pending or if more documentation is needed for processing.

How Long Before My Passport Status Updates?

Depending on where your application is in the process, you could receive updates on your application status within a couple of business days versus getting an instant update. There can typically be several days between receive updates because numerous things impact the timeline of moving along in processing your application (such as your interview, the documents being checked, and police verification).

As a rough guide under the current portal:

Normal applications are typically processed in around 30 to 45 days, including police verification.
Tatkal applications move faster, often within a week, as verification may happen after issuance.

If your status has not been updated within the past week, it doesn't mean that you should be worried, as verification from the police can take time to process. If you wish to have your status manually updated, please contact the National Call Centre, whose toll-free number is 1800-258-1800, which is open 7 days a week.

How Do I Track My Passport by Speed Post Once Dispatched?

Once the status shows, "Your passport has been dispatched", it indicates that it is travelling to you by means of a government service via first class postal service through India Post along with a tracking number. The tracking number will also be sent by SMS from Passport Seva to the mobile number that you have registered.

Note the Speed Post consignment number from your SMS (it looks like EE123456789IN).
Go to the India Post tracking service and open "Track Consignment".
Enter the consignment number and the captcha, then click Track Now.

The application you filled out specifies which address will be where your passport is delivered, so double check that you've written down the correct mobile and mailing address.

Official Portal and Assisted Path

The Passport Seva Portal is the sole channel for all passport services and information through the Ministry of External Affairs in India. Therefore, all updates, mPassport Seva Applications and SMS Notifications will only come directly from Passport Seva. No private business or organization provides these services or information.

The organisation Jaagruk Bharat is able to help you navigate the entire application process from beginning to end; by clearly understanding the steps involved, you will avoid any unnecessary delays when obtaining your passport. The actual passport issuance, however, is the responsibility of Passport Seva.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my passport status not updating for several days?

There is nothing wrong with your application if you do not see your application status change after the first few days. Your application will not update on the system until that process has been completed. If your application status has not changed for over 1-2 weeks you can call the National Call Centre at 1800-258-1800 and ask for a manual status check.

I lost my File Number. Can I still check my passport status?

To get the 15-digit file number from the passport agency, log into your Passport Service account and click on "View Saved / Submitted Applications". Additionally, you can obtain your file number through the e-mail and/or SMS you received after your appointment or from the original confirmation receipt for your passport processing.

How do I check my Tatkal passport status?

You can monitor your Tatkal Application in the same way you would track any other application. You may submit your file number and date of birth on the Track Application Status page or the mPassport Seva App. Normally, the processing time for Tatkal applications is shorter than for the regular application process as the police verification will be complete after the Passport has been issued.

Does checking my passport status cost anything?

You can verify the status of your passport application online, using the mPassport Application, or by calling the National Call Centre for Free. SMS Updates include a Premium SMS Reply that may include charges from different carriers for fulfilling the request. You must pay the ₹50 fee to set up optional alerts. This fee does NOT include your passport application cost.

How can I check my Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) status?

The type of application used for tracking the status of your files can be found on the Track Application Status Page under Passport/PCC/IC/GEP. The filing process will proceed through the same tracker as all other passport applicants, including Police Verification where necessary, therefore the PCC application follows the same stages of status as a normal passport applicant.

Can I track my passport after it is dispatched?

As soon as "Passport Dispatched" appears you can expect to receive an SMS with your Speed Post Consignment Number which can be used to track your booklet through India Post's website. You can also estimate when your passport will be delivered since it will be sent via Speed Post to the address you provided.