Lost your passport? What to do at home and abroad

If your passport is lost in the U.S., the process is usually more manageable because you are closer to the documents and facilities you may need.

First, report the passport lost or stolen. Reporting it protects your identity and prevents the passport from being used for travel. Then, if you still need a passport, apply for a replacement. The U.S. Department of State says that to replace a lost or stolen passport, you must apply in person.

In most cases, you will need:

• Form DS-11
• Form DS-64 if you have not already reported the loss
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Photo ID and a photocopy
• A new passport photo
• Relevant passport fees

If you find your old passport after reporting it, do not use it. Once reported lost or stolen, it is no longer valid for international travel.

Losing your passport abroad can be more stressful, but there is a clear next step: contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate as soon as you can.

In most cases, you will need to appear in person and bring as much supporting information as you can. The U.S. Department of State states this may include:

• One passport photo
• Identification, such as a driver’s license or an expired passport
• Proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or photocopy of the missing passport
• Your travel itinerary
• A completed DS-11 with details about when and where the passport was lost or stolen

If your passport was stolen, a police report can help document what happened, but it is not always required. The embassy or consulate can explain what is needed in your situation.

If there is not enough time to issue a regular passport before your travel, the consular section may issue an emergency passport. The U.S. Department of State says that document may be valid for up to one year, and travelers often need to replace it with a full-validity passport later.

How long it takes depends on where you are and how urgently you need to travel.

In the U.S., typical processing times are four to six weeks for routine service and two to three weeks for expedited service. Those timelines do not include mailing time, and the U.S. Department of State says mailing can add up to two weeks on the front end and up to two weeks on the return end.

If you have urgent international travel in 14 calendar days or less, you may be able to get an appointment at a passport agency or center, though appointments are not guaranteed.

Abroad, replacement timing depends on the embassy or consulate, the documents you have available and how soon you need to travel. In urgent cases, consular staff can explain whether an emergency passport is possible.

If you haven’t driven through Mexico before, you might not know about the checkpoints along the highway. These military checkpoints are strategically placed along the Mexican highway and will sometimes stop cars for an inspection. These inspections are an effort to limit illegal activities, like drug trafficking, which can take place in the country.

When you encounter a checkpoint, you’ll want to slow down and see if you are signaled to pull over. If you are chosen for an inspection, stay calm. As mentioned, most inspections are random so there is no cause for alarm. Just remain courteous and be patient while your vehicle is searched. They may use mirrors to check under your car and search dogs to sniff out illegal substances. You’ll be allowed to watch the inspection and ask questions to the leading officer if you feel the search isn’t being properly conducted.

The exact list can vary, but most travelers replacing a lost passport should be prepared to gather:

• Proof of identity
• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• A passport photo
• The correct passport form
• Relevant passport fees
• Travel itinerary details if replacing it abroad

If you’ve lost more than just your passport, do not panic. Embassy and consular staff can help explain alternative ways to confirm your identity and citizenship when documents are missing.

If your passport went missing along with other belongings, take a few extra steps to protect yourself.

Contact your bank or card issuer if your payment cards are gone. Change important passwords if your phone or laptop is missing. If your phone has a remote lock or wipe feature, use it if needed. If your bags were lost or stolen, keep a record of what is missing and any reports you file with the airline, hotel or local police.

This kind of situation can feel like a lot at once, so focus on the essentials first: personal safety, identity protection, passport replacement and your next transportation step.

Losing your passport can create a chain reaction of travel problems, especially if you are abroad and unsure what to do next. While replacing the document itself is usually handled through the U.S. Embassy or consulate, a travel insurance plan with emergency travel assistance services may help you navigate the situation with less stress.

For example, Travel Guard’s emergency travel assistance services may be able to help you locate the nearest embassy or consulate and understand the next steps if your passport is lost while traveling. If your lost passport affects the rest of your trip, they can also help you understand your options for rebooking travel or adjusting your itinerary.

For travelers who are already feeling overwhelmed, having access to support can make a frustrating situation feel more manageable. All Travel Guard travel insurance plans include 24/7 emergency travel assistance services to help travelers navigate unexpected situations while away from home.

You cannot remove every travel risk, but a few simple habits can make losing your passport less likely.

• Keep your passport in one consistent, secure place when you are not using it, like a hotel safe or a specific pocket inside your luggage.
• Carry it with you only when you need it.
• Avoid keeping it in easy-to-reach places like a back pocket or an outer backpack pocket.
• Keep a secure digital copy and a paper copy stored separately from the original.

Double-check that you have your passport before leaving hotels, airports and transportation hubs.

A lost passport can derail your plans, but it does not have to turn into a full travel disaster. The most important things are to confirm it is truly missing, report it quickly and take the right replacement steps based on whether you are in the U.S. or abroad.

Once you know what to do next, the situation usually feels much more manageable. A little preparation, the right documents and prompt action can go a long way toward helping you get back on track.