To ask about the status of your documents, please call the Office of Authentications:

Phone:  202-485-8000

  8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. EST
  Monday through Friday

When calling, you must indicate whether a request form DS-4194 was submitted and provide:

• Full name and/or name of company
• Type of document(s)
• Country of use
• Number of document(s)
• Complete return address
• Type of mail service used to return the document(s) if applicable; including tracking number
• Type of payment submitted 

To ask about the status of your documents, please complete our Contact Us form. We will respond to you via email or phone call in the next week. Do not submit a second request while waiting for a response. 

1. Notarized, completed Form DS-5542

2. Photocopy of the front and back of your valid photo ID.

3. Check or money order. The cost is $50 for each record you request.

• Make payable to the "U.S. Department of State"
• Include a complete mailing address on the check.
• Checks and money orders must be payable in U.S. dollars through a U.S. bank.
• The Department is not responsible for cash lost in the mail.

4. Mail Form DS-5542, a photocopy of the ID, and payment to:

    U.S. Department of State
    Passport Vital Records Section
    44132 Mercure Cir.
    PO Box 1213
    Sterling, VA  20166-1213

Processing Times

• Mailing times, which may add up to 4 weeks on to the time it takes to receive your document, are not included in processing times.
• Once we receive your request in our office, we will process most requests in 4 to 8 weeks. Because of the unique nature of our records, we cannot provide expedited service. Some documents may take longer than 8 weeks to locate.
• Your processing times may be delayed if we need you to provide additional information to us.

Shipping

You can select First Class Mail or 1-2 Day Delivery:

• USPS First Class Mail: Takes one to two weeks. No additional charge. 
• 1-2 Day Delivery Service: Add $19.53 to the check or money order. 

Processing Times

As additional employees return to our office, we are working aggressively to address all pending requests. You will continue to experience delays receiving certified vital records and the return of any original documents submitted. You may check the status of your request by emailing VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov or by calling 202-485-8300.  Please provide all required items listed above to avoid further processing delays.  We ask for your patience as we safely work on your request.

Check Status

Call 202-485-8300

Email VitalRecordsPublicInquiries@state.gov