What if My Passport is Lost or Stolen?

If your passport goes missing, don’t panic — but do act quickly. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide.

1. Confirm It’s Really Gone

Check bags, hotel room, safe, pockets, and recent locations.

Once you’re confident it’s lost or stolen, treat it as a security issue and move to the next steps.

2. Report It Immediately

If you’re in the United States:

Call the U.S. Department of State’s emergency line or report it online to officially mark your passport as lost or stolen.

If you’re abroad:

Report the loss to local police and get a police report if possible.

Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to report the passport as lost or stolen.

This helps prevent identity theft and invalidates the missing passport.

3. Complete the Required Forms

You’ll typically need:

The lost/stolen passport report form (currently DS-64), and

Forms here

A new passport application (DS-11 for most in-person applications).

You can fill these out online and print them, or complete them in person at the embassy/consulate or passport acceptance facility.

4. Gather Replacement Documents

To replace your passport, you’ll need:

Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or photocopy of your lost passport if you have one)

Proof of identity (driver’s license or other government-issued ID)

Passport photo(s) that meet State Department standards

Any police report or incident documentation (especially if abroad)

If you’re missing some documents, the embassy/consulate can advise what alternatives they’ll accept.

5. Apply In Person

In the U.S.:

Go to an authorized passport acceptance facility (post office, clerk of court, etc.) with your forms, documents, photo, and payment.

Abroad:

Visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

If you’re traveling soon, explain your departure date — they may issue an emergency limited-validity passport to get you home or continue essential travel.

6. Pay the Applicable Fees

You’ll pay the standard passport fees for a replacement (and possibly additional fees for expedited processing or emergency services). Costs vary based on the type of passport and how quickly you need it.

7. Keep Copies and Records

Going forward, protect yourself by:

Keeping a photo or photocopy of your passport’s ID page in a separate place from the physical passport.

Saving a digital copy in a secure, password-protected location.

These can make replacement easier if this ever happens again.

8. Update Future Travel Plans

Once you receive your new passport:

Update any upcoming reservations (especially international flights and cruises) with your new passport number if requested.

If you had visas in your lost passport, check with each destination’s embassy about reissuing or carrying documentation of prior visas.

Traveling soon and worried about passport issues? Hidden Paths Travel can help you understand your options and next steps so a lost passport doesn’t completely derail your trip.