Misplaced Your Passport? Here’s How to Obtain a New One Swiftly

Misplacing your passport can be a daunting and bewildering situation. Whether you can’t find that essential blue book at home or have lost it while abroad, the good news is that obtaining a replacement is feasible and can be done swiftly. From personal experience, I can attest that while the process of replacing a lost passport may be inconvenient and nerve-wracking, it is effective. Here’s what you need to do if your passport goes missing.

Notify authorities about your lost or stolen passport

The first step is to notify authorities that your passport is lost or stolen so that it can be canceled. You have the option to report it online, by phone, or via mail. Your passport becomes invalid the moment it is reported as lost or stolen, making online or phone reporting the quickest ways to ensure that no one else can use your passport right away.

If you are currently in the United States,

Next, complete the necessary application forms to request a new passport. If you are in the United States, you will need to fill out Form DS-11, designated for lost passports. This application must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility (which may include select post offices), where your documents will be processed and subsequently sent to a passport office. You can schedule an appointment online, but if you have imminent travel plans within the next three weeks, it’s advisable to visit a passport agency, where your application can be addressed immediately or within a few days.

If you find yourself in a foreign country

You will need to go to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, which may necessitate traveling to another city in that country (as they are usually located in the capital or major cities). There, you must apply for and obtain a new passport before you can return to the United States. If you are entering by land from Canada or Mexico, you might be able to use a passport card, but remember that once you cancel your passport, your passport card will also be rendered invalid.

When you visit the embassy, ensure you bring:

• a recent passport photo
• an alternative form of government-issued ID (such as a driver’s license)
• evidence of U.S. citizenship (like a photocopy of your previous passport)
• your travel itinerary

Since losing your government-issued identification will further delay this process, we suggest keeping photocopies of your important documents stored in a secure place, such as on your smartphone or in your Google Drive.

For an in-person application abroad, you will need to complete two forms: DS-11 and DS-64. One of these forms requires a statement detailing how and where you lost your passport. If you suspect your passport was stolen, it’s advisable (though not mandatory) to file a police report.

If necessary, replacement passports can be processed within a day or two, but this is only available during business hours (weekends and holidays may extend the wait time).

If you are in a location that requires an entry or exit visa

Be aware of any required visas that some countries impose for entry and exit. Since these visas are linked to your original passport, you will need to reapply for them, which may incur additional time and expenses. You must have your replacement passport before applying for any necessary visas.

Key considerations to keep in mind when getting a replacement for a lost passport

Always keep a copy or photo of your passport

It’s wise to create a copy of your passport (or take a picture on your phone) and store it separately from your passport book. While you can’t travel using just a photocopy (or merely your passport number if you’ve memorized it), having this information can help speed up the passport process for embassy personnel if you are abroad.

You won’t be able to use your original passport even if you locate it

If you happen to find your original passport after it has been canceled, it will no longer be valid.

Your replacement passport is valid for a decade—with certain exceptions

When you receive your new passport, it should be valid for the usual 10 years unless you’ve lost your passport previously. In that scenario, the new passport will only be valid for one year, and you won’t be eligible for a full-validity passport for another 10 years (provided you don’t misplace it again during that time). This means you’ll need to reapply each year for a decade—a good reason to keep your passport secure. If you received an emergency passport while abroad, its validity may also be limited. In that case, you will need to apply for a new passport within six months and pay additional renewal fees ($130), but the new passport will be valid for the standard 10 years.

You can utilize your travel insurance to reimburse the cost of replacing your lost passport

Travel insurance can assist in covering the costs associated with obtaining a replacement passport (including any flight change fees). However, before you pay for insurance, check if the credit card you used for the trip offers similar benefits to reimburse any related expenses.

If you possess two valid U.S. passports, you can use the second one to return home

If you have two valid U.S. passports (yes, acquiring a second passport is possible), you will still need to apply for a new one if you're traveling with only one. If both are in your possession, you can utilize the second one for your return. If you lose your passport within the United States, you can still use your other passport to travel while you apply for a replacement since it has a different number.

You don’t have to reapply for Global Entry, but you must update your details

If you hold a Global Entry membership linked to your lost passport, there’s no need to reapply for the trusted traveler program. However, after receiving your new passport, you’ll need to log into the trusted traveler program website and update your passport number. The same applies to the Mobile Passport app, which will also require your new passport number.