Passport Application Rejected? Here's How Online Filing Services Fix Errors and Get You Back on Track

A rejected passport application doesn't mean starting over, but it does mean acting fast. Here's what went wrong, what your options are, and how GOV+ can help you correct and resubmit before your travel window closes.

Common Reasons Passport Applications Get Rejected

Passport applications are rejected for a surprisingly wide range of reasons. Most come down to paperwork errors, missing documents, or photo problems, all correctable, but only if caught in time.

Common reasons an application gets rejected:

• Incomplete or incorrect application form (missing fields, wrong form version)
• Missing or inadequate supporting documents (proof of citizenship, identity, parental consent for minors, name-change documents)
• Poor-quality or non-compliant photos (wrong size, background, expression, or recentness)
• Invalid, expired, or mismatched ID documents
• Missing or incorrect fees or payment method
• Unsigned application or missing required signatures
• Name discrepancies between documents (spelling, order, use of nicknames)
• Previously lost or stolen passport not properly reported or unresolved issues
• Evidence of fraud or forged documents
• Outstanding legal issues (unpaid child support, travel bans, active warrants) depending on jurisdiction
• Failure to meet specific eligibility requirements (e.g., citizenship not proved)
• Damaged application materials (torn photos, illegible pages)

What Happens After a Rejection

When the State Department rejects a passport application, it returns your original documents along with a written explanation of why the application was denied.

Here's what to know:

• Government application fees are generally non‑refundable; you may need to pay a new government fee when you reapply. Expedited service fees are separate and also non‑refundable.
• The State Department will return your original documents (birth certificate, IDs) with an explanation of the deficiency; you'll need to follow those instructions and submit a new application when ready
• If the rejection included a request for additional evidence or instructions from a passport agency, follow that notice promptly, as those notices may include their own timelines
• For urgent travel or if you're uncertain why your application was rejected, you can contact the National Passport Information Center or a regional passport agency

GOV+ can help guide you through the reapplication process.

How GOV+ Helps

GOV+ is designed specifically to prevent the kinds of errors that lead to rejections and to help applicants move quickly when a correction is needed.

If you’ve submitted an application that has been rejected, here’s how GOV+ can help: 

• We’ll prepare your corrected application package so you don't have to figure out what to fix on your own.

• Our expert reviewers ensure the updated application doesn't have the same issues that caused the rejection.
• GOV+ is also authorized by the U.S. Department of State to process expedited passport applications. If your travel date is coming up, we can help expedite the submission of corrected applications.

Some of the additional benefits that come with a GOV+ subscription:

• Automatic passport renewal before expiration (you pay only the government fee).
• Free replacement if your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged (you pay only the government fee).
• Identity theft protection with up to $1M coverage

Ready to resubmit? Apply for a new passport or renew your passport with GOV+.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I expedite my resubmission if my trip is coming up soon? Yes. If you have documented travel within 14 days (or within 28 days and requiring a visa), you may be eligible for an urgent appointment at a regional passport agency.

GOV+ also operates as an authorized expediter through its subsidiary Premier Passports LLC, which is listed on state.gov as an officially registered courier. With authorization from the U.S. Department of State, using GOV+ couriers, applicants can fast-track their passport renewal and receive their passport in as little as 2 weeks.

Does expedited processing cost more for a resubmission? The U.S. State Department's expedited service fee applies whether you're submitting for the first time or resubmitting after a rejection. You won't owe the application fee again, as fees already paid are generally non-refundable, but expediting the resubmission does carry its own fee.

What if I'm not sure why my application was rejected? The State Department returns your original documents with a written explanation of the deficiency. If the explanation isn't clear, you can contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 or visit a regional passport agency. GOV+ support can also help you interpret the rejection and prepare a corrected application.