What to Do If a U.S. Passport Is Lost or Stolen
Report a valid lost or stolen U.S. passport promptly through the State Department’s official process. Reporting cancels the document but does not replace it; a replacement generally requires an in-person Form DS-11 application.
Timeline
- Immediately after loss: Secure other documents, note where and when the passport disappeared, and report a valid passport through the official State Department process.
- Replacement application: Use Form DS-11 and apply in person with the required citizenship, identity, photo and fee documents.
- Urgent or overseas travel: Use the official urgent-travel appointment system or contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Report a valid U.S. passport lost or stolen immediately through the Department of State. The official options are online, by mail using Form DS-64, or in person while applying for a replacement. Do not file a lost-or-stolen report for an expired passport. Record the document type, circumstances, approximate date and place of loss, and preserve any police report or supporting details that may help with the replacement application. [1][2]
Reporting and replacing are separate actions. Once reported, the passport is canceled and cannot be used for international travel even if it is later found. An online report is generally processed faster than a mailed report, but it still does not order a new passport. Trying to travel with a canceled passport can cause delay or denial of entry, so destroy or return a recovered document as the State Department directs. [1][2][3]
To replace a lost or stolen passport in the United States, an applicant generally applies in person using Form DS-11. The application requires evidence of U.S. citizenship, acceptable identification and a photocopy, a compliant photo and the applicable fees. The form asks for details about the loss. Use only the current form and checklist on travel.state.gov because required documents, fees and processing estimates can change. [1][4][5]
If international travel is near, match the service to the current official timeframe. The State Department’s urgent-travel process uses appointments at passport agencies or centers for qualifying travel within the published window; routine and expedited processing have separate time estimates and mailing time. Appointments themselves are free, availability is not guaranteed, and unofficial appointment sellers or look-alike renewal websites should be treated cautiously. [5][6][7]
If the passport disappears abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Consular staff can explain local reporting requirements and the documents needed for a replacement or limited-validity emergency passport. Also secure money, cards and identification, notify local police when appropriate, and change travel plans only after receiving official guidance. A police report alone does not cancel or replace the passport. [2][8][9]
A passport lost in delivery follows a different process. First check the official passport-status and tracking information. If the State Department mailed the document and it did not arrive, contact Passport Services about Form DS-86 within the current deadline rather than filing the ordinary DS-64 lost-passport report without checking. Similarly, damage, a disaster-related loss and a deceased relative’s passport each have their own instructions. [1][3][10]
Keep copies or secure photos of the passport information page separate from the original before future trips, but protect those copies as sensitive identity data. Avoid posting passport numbers or scans in email, chat or social media. The safest sequence is to use the official State Department reporting tool, complete the required in-person replacement process, and confirm urgent or overseas steps directly with Passport Services or a U.S. embassy or consulate. [1][8][9]
Sources
- U.S. Department of State — Report Your Passport Lost or Stolen
- U.S. Department of State — Renew or Replace a Passport
- U.S. Department of State — Passport Services Frequently Asked Questions
- U.S. Department of State — Apply for a Passport in Person
- U.S. Department of State — Passport Forms
- U.S. Department of State — Get Your Passport Fast
- U.S. Department of State — Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency
- U.S. Department of State — Emergencies Abroad
- U.S. Department of State — Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
- U.S. Department of State — Replace a Passport After a Disaster