Losing a passport is one of the biggest problems a person could have. It does not only hinder traveling but also exposes a passport holder to identity theft and fraud. If your passport was lost or stolen, protect yourself by reporting it immediately to the U.S. Department of State, your local embassy, or a passport agency or center.
Table of Contents
What should I do if I lost my passport?
Report your stolen or lost passport immediately to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud. Here are the steps to take.
- Report it online. The best course of action is to immediately report your stolen or lost passport to the passport acceptance facility. You may do it online by visiting the official website of the U.S. Department of State. Your U.S. passport can be canceled or invalidated depending on the best solution to protect you from identity theft and fraud.
- Report it through a phone call. Report your stolen or lost passport by contacting 1-877-487-2778 (TDD: 1-888-874-7793). A representative from the passport acceptance facility will give you instructions to follow.
- Report it by mail. If you want to report your stolen or lost passport, you may do so via mail. Accomplish Form DS-64, Statement Regarding A Lost Or Stolen U.S. Passport Book And/Or Card, and submit it with a photocopy of your government-issued photo identification to the mailing address below.
ATTN: CLASP
U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/TO/LE
44132 Mercure Cir
P.O. Box 1227
Sterling, VA 20166-1227
How long does it take to replace a lost U.S. passport?
Replacing a lost or stolen U.S. may take up to six weeks after your application has been approved. If you want the expedited service, you need to pay an additional $60 for a two to three weeks processing time.
How much does it cost to replace a lost U.S. passport?
Replacing a lost U.S. passport costs the same as applying for the first time. There is a consistent $35 acceptance fee for every application in addition to the application fees of the passport type.
If you want to replace your passport book, you will pay an application fee of $110. For a passport card, the application fee is $30. If you are applying for both, you will pay an application fee of $140.
You also need to pay $60 for the expedited service if you want a shorter processing time for your application.
What are the requirements to replace a lost passport?
If you have a valid U.S. passport other than the one stolen or lost, you may submit Form DS-82, U.S. Passport Renewal Application for Eligible Individuals, by mail. Otherwise, you need to apply for a passport replacement in person with the requirements below.
- Form DS-64 — Accomplish Form DS-64 to notify the passport acceptance facility that your U.S. passport was lost or stolen.
- Form DS-11 — Submit Form DS-11, Application Form for New U.S. Passport, to apply for a new U.S. passport.
- Citizenship Evidence — Submit an original copy and a photocopy of any valid documents proving your citizenship in the United States. You may submit your birth certificate, baptismal, or any of the certified primary and secondary documents.
- Photo Identification — Submit an original copy and a photocopy of your driver’s license or any government-issued identification.
- Passport Photo — Strictly follow the basics of a valid passport photo. It must be clear and colored with a plain white or off-white background. It must be taken by someone and avoid using filters or any effects to enhance your photo.
- Passport Fees — There is an acceptance fee of $35 for every application. For the replacement of a passport book, you need to pay a $110-acceptance fee. For a passport card, the application fee is $30.
What is the fastest way to replace a lost passport?
The fastest way to replace a lost passport is to make an appointment online. Accomplish Form DS-64 and Form DS-11 that can be downloaded online and prepare other requirements. Once you have completed all the requirements, you may go to the nearest passport acceptance facility to make an appointment.
Your passport application may take up to six weeks from the day it is received and approved by the passport agency.
You can replace your lost or stolen passport in eight business days if you are in the United States and you need to travel in ten weeks or less. However, this service only works for life-or-death emergencies and other valid situations requiring an urgent flight. Make an appointment with your local passport agency and prepare the requirements and evidence to back up your request, such as death certificates, a letter from a healthcare professional, or documentation from a mortuary.
Here are the passport agencies to make an appointment:
- Atlanta Passport Agency
- Arkansas Passport Center
- Boston Passport Agency
- Buffalo Passport Agency
- Chicago Passport Agency
- Colorado Passport Agency
- Connecticut Passport Agency
- Dallas Passport Agency
- Detroit Passport Agency
- El Paso Passport Agency
- Honolulu Passport Agency
- Houston Passport Agency
- Los Angeles Passport Agency
- Miami Passport Agency
- Minneapolis Passport Agency
- National Passport Center
- New Orleans Passport Center
- New York Passport Agency
- Philadelphia Passport Agency
- San Diego Passport Agency
- San Francisco Passport Agency
- San Juan Passport Agency
- Seattle Passport Agency
- Vermont Passport Agency
- Washington Passport Agency
- Western Passport Center
- Special Issuance Agency
How do I get a lost affidavit?
Affidavit of Loss is a sworn statement that describes the details of the item or security lost. It is usually used when the certificate of security is stolen or damaged in a fire or flood.
Form DS-64 serves as the lost affidavit of U.S. citizens who have lost their passports. You can get the fillable Form DS-64 here.
How do I renew my passport if I lost my old one?
You cannot renew your lost passport unless you have another valid U.S. passport in your possession. The best option is to replace your lost passport with the following requirements:
- Form DS-64;
- Form DS-11;
- Citizenship Evidence;
- Photo Identification;
- Passport Photo; and
- Passport Fees.
If you have a valid passport other than the one stolen or lost, you can apply for passport renewal by mail. Submit the following requirements to your local passport acceptance facility:
- Form DS-82;
- Your most recent U.S. passport;
- Name change documents, if applicable;
- Passport photo; and
- Renewal fee.
Can you renew a lost passport online?
No. Passport renewal and replacement can only be processed or submitted by mail and in person.
If you are eligible to file DS-82 for passport renewal, you can submit your accomplished form and the other requirements by mail.
Form DS-64 can be submitted by mail to report your lost or stolen passport. If you decide to replace your stolen passport, you need to submit both Form DS-64 and Form DS-11 in person.
Form DS-11 can only be submitted to the passport acceptance facility in person.
What happens if I can’t find my old passport?
You can submit Form DS-64 by mail to report your lost or stolen passport. If you do not have an old or other valid U.S. passport to apply for renewal, you may personally submit Form DS-11 and Form DS-64 to your local passport acceptance facility.
Bring the following requirements:
- Form DS-64;
- Form DS-11;
- Citizenship Evidence;
- Photo Identification;
- Passport Photo; and
- Passport Fees.
What do I do if my passport is lost in the mail?
You can check the U.S. Passport Application Status to confirm if your passport has been mailed out to you.
If your passport was lost in the mail, contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) to report the issue. Failure to report within 90 days from the date issued will require you to re-apply and pay all applicable fees.
Can I still travel if I lost my passport?
No, you need a valid U.S. passport to travel to other countries by air.
What happens if I lost my passport before my flight?
If you are in the U.S. and you lost your passport before your flight, here are the steps you need to take:
- Call a passport agency. Report your lost or stolen passport to your local passport agency and make an appointment. This option is best for travelers who have a life-or-death situation or other qualified urgent travels. Planned travels are not eligible for this service.
- Pay for expedited service. Expedited service from a private passport agency costs up to $399 for a one-day processing time. If it seems too much, there is a standard service for $119 which takes up to eight to ten business days.
- Prepare your passport application. Gather all necessary documents, including Form DS-64, Form DS-11, citizenship evidence, photo identification, passport photo, and the applicable fees.
Can you fly with a photocopy of your passport?
No, you cannot fly with a photocopy of your passport.
How do I download a duplicate copy of my passport?
You can request a duplicate of your passport directly from the Office of Passport Services. Go to the official website of the Department of State, Freedom of Information Act.
How can I download my submitted passport online?
You can request your passport records directly from the Office of Passport Services. Go to the official website of the Department of State, Freedom of Information Act.
Will my new passport have the same passport number as the one I lost?
Yes, it does. You are expected to turn in your most recent passport when you apply for a new one. Thus, if you have lost your expired passport you will need to go through the lost passport replacement procedure described on this page.
How long will the new passport be valid?
Your new passport is valid for ten years. If you are under age 16, your new passport is valid for five years.
I lost an expired passport, and now need to get a new passport to travel. Does it matter that my expired passport is lost?
Yes, it does. You are expected to turn in your most recent passport when you apply for a new one, so if you have lost your expired passport you will need to go through the lost passport replacement procedure described on this page.
What happens if I find my passport after I’ve had it replaced?
If you find your lost passport and have already started applying for a replacement, you cannot cancel the replacement process. Once you have reported that your passport was lost or stolen, it is no longer valid for use or travel. It is a part of the safety precautions, so if someone else finds your passport, they cannot use it.
What do I do if I lose my passport while traveling overseas?
If you lost your passport while traveling overseas, here are the steps to follow:
- Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to report your lost or stolen passport. Tell the consular officer the date you need to go back to the U.S. to get the limited validity emergency passport.
- Prepare and accomplish your passport application. It includes Form DS-64, Form DS-11, citizenship evidence, photo identification, passport photo, applicable fees, and any travel itinerary. It will help you save time when you arrive in the U.S. Embassy prepared and ready.