What To Do After Losing Your U.S. Passport: A Step-by-Step Guide

Last updated 3 months ago. Our resources are updated regularly but please keep in mind that links, programs, policies, and contact information do change.

Losing your U.S. passport, whether misplaced or stolen, is a stressful experience that requires immediate attention. It’s not just a travel document; it’s a primary form of identification containing sensitive personal information. Taking swift, correct action is crucial to protect yourself from identity theft and navigate the process of getting a replacement.

This guide provides clear, step-by-step instructions based on official U.S. Department of State guidance to help you report the loss, apply for a new passport whether you’re in the United States or abroad, understand options for urgent needs, and take measures to safeguard your identity.

Step 1: Report Your Valid Passport Lost or Stolen Immediately

The very first step is to formally report your valid (unexpired) U.S. passport as lost or stolen to the U.S. Department of State. This is critical because the report electronically cancels the passport, making it invalid for international travel by anyone – including you, should you find it later.

Attempting to travel on a passport that has been reported lost or stolen can lead to significant travel delays or even detention upon entry into the United States. This immediate reporting is also a vital first measure in protecting yourself against potential identity theft.

This reporting requirement applies specifically to valid, unexpired passports. If the passport that went missing had already expired, it is no longer valid for international travel, and you do not need to formally report it as lost or stolen using this process.

The official form for this report is Form DS-64: Statement Regarding a Valid Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport Book and/or Card. You have several options for submitting this information:

Methods for Reporting a Lost or Stolen Valid Passport

Important Consequences

Once you report your passport lost or stolen, it is permanently invalidated in government systems. Even if you find the passport later, do not attempt to use it for travel. Doing so could cause serious problems, including being denied entry to a foreign country or detained when returning to the U.S.

If you recover a passport after reporting it lost/stolen, you should mail it to the Consular Lost and Stolen Passport Unit (CLASP) address listed above for proper cancellation. Because reporting is irreversible, be certain the passport is truly gone before submitting the report.

Step 2: Apply for a Replacement Passport Inside the United States

Reporting your passport lost or stolen does not automatically get you a new one. If you are inside the United States and need to replace your lost or stolen passport, you must apply in person.

This process uses Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport, the same form used by first-time applicants. Applying in person is a security measure required when the previous passport cannot be presented, allowing an official acceptance agent to verify your identity and witness your signature.

You cannot replace a lost/stolen passport using the mail-in renewal process (Form DS-82).

Here are the detailed steps and required items:

Complete Required Forms

Fill out Form DS-11 accurately and completely. You can use the online form filler and print the completed form, or download a PDF version from the State Department website to fill out by hand.

Do NOT sign Form DS-11 until you are instructed to do so by the acceptance agent during your in-person appointment.

Complete Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding a Valid Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport). You will submit this along with your DS-11 application. The online form filler can often generate both forms if you indicate you are replacing a lost/stolen passport.

Gather Proof of U.S. Citizenship

You must provide an original or certified copy of one of the following documents:

• U.S. Birth Certificate that meets specific criteria: Issued by the city, county, or state of birth; lists your full name, date, and place of birth; lists parent(s)’ full names; has the date filed with the registrar’s office (within one year of birth); has the registrar’s signature; and has the official seal or stamp of the issuing authority.
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth.
• Certificate of Naturalization.
• Certificate of Citizenship.
• A previous full-validity, undamaged U.S. passport (can be expired).

You must also provide a photocopy of your citizenship document. The photocopy must be black and white, single-sided, on standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper.

Your original document will be returned to you, potentially separately from your new passport.

If you cannot provide one of these documents, consult the State Department’s Citizenship Evidence page.

Present Proof of Identity

You must present one of the following original photo identification documents:

• Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card.
• In-state, fully valid driver’s license or enhanced driver’s license with photo.
• Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship.
• Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal).
• U.S. military ID or military dependent ID.
• Current (valid) foreign passport.
• Other acceptable IDs may include certain Tribal IDs or Trusted Traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, etc.).

Digital IDs are not acceptable. If your primary ID is from out-of-state, you must present a second ID. Learner’s permits or temporary licenses may also require additional identification.

You must also provide a photocopy of your photo ID (front and back), black and white, single-sided, on 8.5 x 11 inch paper.

For more details, see the Identification page.

Provide a Passport Photo

Submit one color photograph taken within the last six months that meets all State Department requirements.

Key requirements include: 2×2 inches in size, white or off-white background, neutral facial expression with both eyes open, mouth closed, no eyeglasses (unless a signed doctor’s note is provided for medical reasons), no uniforms or headwear (unless for documented religious or medical reasons).

For full specifications and examples, visit the State Department’s photo requirements page.

A photo tool for cropping paper photos is available online, but it does not check photo quality: https://tsg.phototool.state.gov/photo.

Calculate and Prepare Fees

Applying in person requires paying two separate fees. This separation can require planning for different payment methods.

• Application Fee: Paid directly to the “U.S. Department of State.” Payment is typically accepted via check (personal, certified, cashier’s, traveler’s) or money order. The fee for a replacement passport book using DS-11 is generally the same as for a first-time adult applicant: $130 (as of June 2024). For a passport card only, the fee is $30. For both, it’s $160.
• Execution (Acceptance) Fee: Paid directly to the acceptance facility where you apply. This fee is $35 (as of June 2024). Acceptance facilities vary in the payment methods they accept (cash, check, card, money order), so check with the specific facility beforehand.

Use the fee calculator for precise amounts. Submitting incorrect fees can delay your application.

Domestic Replacement Passport Fees (Standard Service, DS-11 Application)

Note: Fees current as of June 2024. Check the State Department website for the latest information.

Find an Acceptance Facility and Apply

You must submit your completed DS-11, DS-64, supporting documents, photo, and fees in person at a designated Passport Acceptance Facility. These include many post offices, public libraries, and county clerk offices.

Use the official Passport Acceptance Facility Search tool to find locations near you.

Appointments are often required, so contact the facility or check their scheduling system (like the USPS online scheduler) in advance.

Step 3: Replacing Your Passport While Outside the United States

Losing your passport while traveling abroad requires a different approach, centered entirely around U.S. embassies and consulates. There is no equivalent network of local acceptance facilities outside the U.S.

Contact the Nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate Immediately

This is your first and most critical action. Locate the appropriate diplomatic post for your location using the official U.S. Embassy and Consulate finder.

Call or visit their website to find contact information for the American Citizen Services or Consular Section. Explain that your passport is lost or stolen and you need assistance.

Apply In Person

You must appear in person at the embassy or consulate to apply for a replacement passport. Appointments are usually required.

Gather Required Documents (as available)

While requirements are similar to domestic applications, consular staff understand that travelers abroad, especially victims of theft, may not have all original documents. Bring what you have:

• Form DS-11 (Application for U.S. Passport).
• Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding Lost/Stolen Passport).
• One Passport Photo (meeting requirements, getting this beforehand can speed things up).
• Proof of Identity (e.g., driver’s license, copy of the lost passport, expired passport, government ID).
• Proof of U.S. Citizenship (e.g., copy of the lost passport, U.S. birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad).
• Travel Itinerary (airline tickets, train tickets, etc.), especially if travel is urgent.
• Police Report (optional but recommended, especially if theft occurred). Filing a report with local police can help document the incident but may be skipped if it significantly delays urgent travel.

If Key Documents Are Missing

Consular staff will work with you even if you cannot provide all the listed items. They can attempt to verify your identity and citizenship through government databases and other means, though this may take additional time or require further steps.

Emergency Limited-Validity Passports

If you have imminent travel plans and there isn’t enough time to issue a full-validity passport (which can take several weeks even abroad), the embassy or consulate may issue an emergency limited-validity passport.

These passports are typically valid for up to one year and allow you to return to the U.S. or continue your necessary travel.

You can usually exchange this limited passport for a full-validity one (valid 10 years for adults) upon your return to the U.S., often without paying the application fee again if done within a year.

Limited passports may also be issued in cases of multiple previous passport losses or if the State Department provided funds for repatriation.

Fees Abroad

The application fees are generally the same as in the U.S. (e.g., $165 total for an adult passport book replacement via DS-11) but are paid directly to the embassy or consulate. There is typically no separate execution fee.

Payment methods vary by location; check the embassy/consulate website. Options may include online payment via Pay.gov, credit cards, or local currency cash.

Fee waivers for emergency passports may be available if you were the victim of a serious crime or disaster and cannot afford the fee.

Weekend and Holiday Processing

Most U.S. embassies and consulates cannot issue passports on weekends or local holidays. However, all posts have an after-hours duty officer available for genuine life-or-death emergencies involving U.S. citizens. Contact the embassy/consulate’s emergency number if you face such a situation.

Step 4: Need a Passport Fast? Expedited Options in the U.S.

If you are in the United States and need your replacement passport faster than the routine processing time (currently listed as 4-6 weeks, plus mailing time), several expedited options are available, each with specific requirements and costs.

Remember that processing times reflect the time the application is at a passport agency or center; mailing times can add several weeks to the total turnaround.

Expedited Service (Standard)

• Cost: An additional $60 fee per application.
• Processing Time: Aimed for 2-3 weeks at the agency/center, plus mailing time.
• How to Request: Select “Expedited Service” on your DS-11 form and include the $60 fee with your application payment to the U.S. Department of State when applying at an acceptance facility. If you already submitted your application via routine service, you may be able to upgrade by calling the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778, though this is not guaranteed.

Urgent Travel Service (Passport Agency/Center Appointment)

• Eligibility: For those with documented international travel within 14 calendar days, or who need a foreign visa within 28 calendar days.
• Location: Requires an appointment at one of the regional Passport Agencies or Centers operated by the U.S. Department of State (these are not the same as regular acceptance facilities).
• Cost: Requires payment of the standard application fee plus the mandatory $60 expedite fee.

How to Get an Appointment

If you have not yet applied: Use the Online Passport Appointment System. Appointments are limited and subject to availability; there is no guarantee you will get one. Do not pay third-party services for appointments, as these may not be honored.

If you have already applied (routine or expedited) but now have urgent travel: Call NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 (Mon-Fri 8 AM – 10 PM ET, Sat-Sun 10 AM – 3 PM ET) to inquire about appointment availability.

Required for Appointment: Printed appointment confirmation, proof of imminent international travel (e.g., flight receipt, itinerary, hotel reservation), completed forms (DS-11, DS-64), all supporting documents (citizenship/ID originals and copies), passport photo, and payment for fees (application + $60 expedite).

Life-or-Death Emergency Service

• Eligibility: For travel within 3 business days (72 hours) due to an immediate family member (parent, child, spouse, sibling, grandparent) having died, being critically ill or injured (e.g., hospice care), or suffering a life-threatening condition.
• Documentation: Requires proof of the emergency (e.g., death certificate, signed letter from hospital/doctor on letterhead) and proof of the urgent need to travel internationally. Documents not in English require certified translation.
• How to Get an Appointment: Call NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 during business hours. Outside business hours or on federal holidays, call the emergency line at 202-647-4000. An appointment at a Passport Agency/Center is required.

Faster Mailing Options

• 1-2 Day Delivery (Return): For an additional fee ($21.36 as of June 2024), you can have your completed passport book (not card) shipped back to you via 1-2 day delivery after it’s printed. Include this fee with your payment to the U.S. Department of State.
• Priority Mail Express (Sending): You can choose to send your application materials to the processing center using USPS Priority Mail Express for faster delivery (cost varies).

Remember, the total time to receive your passport includes both processing time and mailing time. Expedited service and faster mailing only speed up their respective parts of the process. Applying well in advance of any planned travel remains the best strategy to avoid stress and extra fees.

Step 5: Protect Yourself From Identity Theft

Reporting your lost or stolen passport to the State Department cancels it for travel purposes, but the personal information contained within it (name, date of birth, place of birth, passport number) could still potentially be misused by identity thieves.

A lost or stolen passport represents a significant data breach, requiring additional steps beyond just reporting the document missing. Taking proactive measures can help safeguard your identity and financial well-being.

Here are recommended protective actions:

Consider Filing a Police Report

If you believe your passport was stolen (rather than simply lost), filing a report with the local police department where the theft occurred is advisable.

While the State Department may not always require a police report for passport replacement (especially abroad if it causes delays), having an official police report provides crucial documentation if you later become a victim of identity theft and need to dispute fraudulent accounts or activities.

Monitor Your Financial Information

Keep a close eye on your bank accounts, credit card statements, and any other financial accounts for unauthorized transactions or unfamiliar activity.

Review your credit reports regularly. You are entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) every year through the official website: AnnualCreditReport.com. Check for any accounts, loans, or inquiries you don’t recognize.

Place Fraud Alerts or Credit Freezes

These are proactive measures to make it harder for thieves to open new accounts in your name.

• Fraud Alert: A free, initial one-year fraud alert requires potential creditors to take extra steps to verify your identity before issuing new credit. You only need to contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place an initial alert; that bureau is required to notify the other two. An extended seven-year alert is available if you provide an Identity Theft Report.
• Credit Freeze (Security Freeze): This offers stronger protection by restricting access to your credit report almost entirely, making it very difficult for anyone (including you) to open new credit accounts. Placing, temporarily lifting, or removing a freeze is free. Unlike a fraud alert, you must contact each of the three credit bureaus individually to place a freeze.

Identity Protection Contacts

Report Identity Theft if it Occurs

If you discover unauthorized accounts or transactions, or have other reasons to believe your identity has been stolen, file an official report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately.

Visit IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. The FTC website provides a personalized recovery plan to guide you through resolving the issues.

Your FTC report, combined with a police report, creates an “Identity Theft Report,” which is often necessary when working with credit bureaus and businesses to remove fraudulent information or debts.

Additional Resources for Passport Replacement

For more comprehensive information and the most current guidance, you can reference these official resources:

• U.S. Department of State: Report Your Passport Lost or Stolen
• U.S. Department of State: Apply for a New Passport
• U.S. Department of State: U.S. Citizen Services Abroad
• FTC: Identity Theft Recovery Steps

Travel Tips After Passport Loss

What To Do While Waiting for Replacement

If you’re in the United States waiting for a replacement passport, consider taking these steps:

• Secure alternative identification for domestic travel and daily use (driver’s license, state ID).
• If you have trips planned, contact airlines, hotels, and tour operators to explain the situation and inquire about their policies regarding travel document issues.
• Keep copies of your passport application receipt and any tracking information provided.
• Sign up for email or text updates about your application status if available.

Preparing for Future Travel

Once you receive your new passport, consider these protective measures:

• Make digital and physical copies of your new passport’s identification page. Store physical copies securely.
• Leave a copy with a trusted emergency contact.
• Register your international trips with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety updates and help the U.S. Embassy contact you in emergencies.
• Consider carrying your passport card (if you have one) separately from your passport book when traveling.
• Use hotel safes or other secure storage for your passport when not actively using it for travel.

Prevention Strategies

While you can’t completely eliminate the risk of losing your passport, these practices can help minimize the chance of loss or theft:

• Develop a consistent routine for storing your passport while traveling.
• Use a secure, hidden money belt or pouch for your passport rather than a back pocket or easily accessible bag.
• Consider leaving your passport in a hotel safe and carrying only a photocopy (along with another government-issued photo ID) when exploring.
• Be especially vigilant in crowded tourist areas, public transportation, and transportation hubs.
• Never leave your passport unattended or visible in a vehicle.
• Limit how often you need to handle your passport by organizing your documents before reaching security checkpoints.

Taking these layered steps – reporting the passport loss to invalidate it, documenting the event, monitoring your finances, proactively protecting your credit, and reporting any actual fraud – provides the best defense against the potential misuse of your personal information after losing a passport.

Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.