How to check your Capital One credit card application status

If you’re planning to apply for a Capital One credit card, it typically doesn’t take long to find out if you’ve been approved.

Learn how long it might take Capital One to make a decision about your application and how you can check its status.

What you’ll learn:

• If you apply online or by phone, you might get a decision more quickly than with other methods.

• You can check your Capital One credit card application status online or by phone.

• Missing information or errors on your application could cause a delay in processing.

There are two ways to check your application status:

1. Go online: After you submit your application, you should receive an email from Capital One with a link to the application center. To sign in and see your application status, you’ll need the last four digits of your Social Security number (SSN), your birth date and your ZIP code.

2. Call 800-903-9177: You can call Capital One. Be prepared to provide your SSN and other personal information to check your application status.

If you apply for a Capital One credit card by phone or online, you’ll typically get a response in as few as 90 seconds. If you submit a paper application, it will take longer. Capital One generally notifies all applicants within seven to 10 days of receiving an application.

It’s possible to be approved or denied for a new credit card almost instantly. But sometimes Capital One may need more time. Here are some possible reasons why: 

• Missing information: In some cases, Capital One may need to verify the information in your application or collect additional information before approving or declining your application. 

• Mistakes on the application: Errors on the application may cause processing delays. For example, mistyping your date of birth or address can result in mismatching information between your credit report and your application. 

• Frozen credit report: Freezing your credit reports as a security measure can prevent you from opening new lines of credit. To unfreeze them, you must contact each of the three credit bureaus where you originally froze your credit.

If an issuer uses credit reports to make lending decisions, the Federal Trade Commission says they must “provide an ‘adverse action’ notice” to explain the denial. Getting denied a credit card may not feel great, but knowing why your credit card application was denied can help you take steps to improve your credit.

If you’re approved, you can expect to receive your Capital One card in the mail within seven to 10 business days. To learn more about credit card timelines, check out how long it takes to get a credit card.

If you haven’t already submitted an application for a Capital One credit card, there are a few things you could do to help the process run smoothly.

• See if you’re pre-approved. By answering a few questions and sharing some personal information, you can see whether you’re pre-approved for Capital One cards. Pre-approval won’t harm your credit scores. If you receive card offers, you don’t need to apply separately. But accepting an offer will trigger a hard inquiry, which may affect your credit scores.

• Apply online. Online applications often take less time than applying via mail. You could get an answer in as few as 90 seconds.

• Review your application carefully. Errors on your application can cause delays in approval. As you’re filling out your application, review each field carefully. Make sure things like your name, address, birth date and SSN are accurate. If you notice any errors, fix them before you submit your application.

Explore some frequently asked questions about your Capital One application status below.

It typically doesn’t take long for Capital One to review a credit card application. If you’re curious about the status of your application, you can easily check online or by phone. 

Once you’ve been approved, check out some tips for using your credit card responsibly to build your credit.

New to credit or looking for your next credit card?

• Check for pre-approval offers with no risk to your credit scores.

• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase every day with a cash back credit card.

Explore Capital One’s credit cards for building credit with responsible use.