What to do if you lose your passport
Losing your passport can be a stressful and inconvenient experience, especially if you have upcoming travel plans. Here are some important steps to take if you lose your passport:
- Report it lost or stolen to the State Department – You can do this online at the State Department’s website or by calling 1-877-487-2778. This is an important step, as it invalidates your lost passport and helps prevent identity theft.
- File a police report – Get documentation of the lost passport to submit with your passport application.
- Gather replacement documentation – To apply for a new passport, you will need to provide citizenship documentation like an original birth certificate or expired passport, photo ID, and a passport photo.
- Apply for a new passport – You can submit the DS-11 application form at a passport acceptance facility or renewal agency. Expedited service is available for an additional fee.
- Check on any visas – If your lost passport contained valid visas, report the loss to each consulate. You may need to reapply for certain visas in your new passport.
- Update travel plans – If needed, contact airlines and hotels to update your passport number. Many will allow you to change reservations due to a lost passport.
- Change passport numbers – Update your passport number with banks, insurance providers, etc. to prevent issues accessing accounts and services.
The main thing is to act quickly after discovering your passport is lost. Time is of the essence, especially if you have upcoming travel plans within the next few weeks.
How long does it take to get a replacement passport?
The amount of time it takes to receive a replacement passport depends on the service you select:
Service | Processing Time | Fee (in addition to standard fees) |
---|---|---|
Routine Service | 6-8 weeks | No additional fee |
Expedited Service | 2-3 weeks | $60 |
Emergency Service | 5-7 business days | $110 plus overnight delivery fee |
Life or Death Emergency | 24-48 hours | No additional fee |
As you can see, with expedited or emergency service a replacement passport can be obtained quite quickly, usually within 1-4 weeks. However, these accelerated services cost extra in fees.
Routine service takes 6-8 weeks but doesn’t have additional charges. Unfortunately, routine service isn’t fast enough if you have travel plans in the next couple months.
How to get a passport quickly
If you need to get a replacement passport as quickly as possible due to upcoming travel plans, here are some tips:
- Use expedited or emergency service – Pay the extra fees to speed up processing.
- Make an appointment – Visit a passport agency or center to apply in person.
- Pay for overnight delivery – Opt to have your new passport shipped overnight.
- Get a limited validity passport – This can only be obtained at a passport agency and is valid for one year.
- Travel within North America – You can present other documents like a birth certificate and driver’s license for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
- Check if you quality for the life or death emergency service – For example, needing to visit a dying family member.
Using expedited service and paying the extra fees is usually the quickest way for most people to get a replacement passport within 2-3 weeks.
The life or death emergency service gets you a passport within 24-48 hours but has very limited qualifications. Make an appointment at a passport agency if you believe you may qualify.
Cost to replace a lost passport
Replacing a lost passport incurs fees from the U.S. State Department as well as costs for new passport photos and overnight delivery, if applicable.
State Department passport replacement fees
As of October 2022, the State Department charges the following fees:
- $145 for passport book replacement
- $65 for passport card replacement
- $60 expedited service fee (optional)
- $110 emergency service fee (optional)
So at a minimum, replacing a lost passport book costs $145 while a passport card costs $65. Expedited service adds $60 and emergency service adds $110 on top of those base fees.
The fees must be paid by check or money order. Credit/debit cards and cash are not accepted.
Other replacement costs
Beyond the State Department’s fees, you’ll have other expenses:
- New passport photos – About $15-$20
- Overnight delivery (optional) – About $20-$40 each way
- Travel to a passport agency (optional) – Gas or airfare, hotel, etc.
With routine service, you can mail in your application and new photos so you wouldn’t incur the overnight and travel expenses. But with expedited service, paying extra for overnight delivery both ways and visiting a passport agency can speed up getting your replacement passport.
Total replacement passport cost
Service Type | Total Estimated Cost |
---|---|
Routine | $160 – $170 |
Expedited | $235 – $275 |
Emergency | $355 – $395 |
As shown above, you can expect to pay:
– $160-$170 for routine replacement service
– $235-$275 for expedited replacement service
– $355-$395 for emergency replacement service
Making an appointment at a passport agency will cost more due to travel expenses but gives you access to expedited and emergency processing.
How to apply for a replacement passport
You’ll need to submit the DS-11 form to apply for a replacement passport along with supporting documents:
What to submit
- DS-11 form – Application for a U.S. passport
- Passport photo – New passport photo taken in past 6 months
- Proof of U.S. citizenship – Birth certificate or expired passport
- Photo ID – Valid driver’s license or government ID
- Fees – Check or money order for the base fee + any expedited fees
- Lost passport report – From the State Department and police report
Where to submit your application
- Routine service – Can be mailed to a passport processing center
- Expedited service – Post office passport acceptance facilities can process if you have upcoming international travel within 14 days
- Emergency service – Must visit a passport agency by appointment (call 1-877-487-2778)
For routine service, you can mail your passport application to a processing center based on your state.
But for expedited or emergency service, you need to visit a designated passport acceptance facility or agency in person. Not all post offices or clerks handle expedited/emergency applications so make sure to check requirements first.
Track your application status
You can check the status of your passport application online or by phone:
- Online – Visit the State Department’s Passport Status Check page
- Phone – Call 1-877-487-2778 and the automated system can look up status with your confirmation number
Processing times vary but you should receive multiple notifications (via email, text or postal mail) on the status of your replacement passport application.
What if you have upcoming international travel?
If you have international travel plans within 2-3 weeks, you will need to apply for an expedited or emergency passport replacement right away.
Here are some options if you have an upcoming trip and need to replace a lost passport:
Expedited service
– Costs an extra $60 plus overnight shipping fees
– Takes 2-3 weeks for processing
– Only available if you can document upcoming international travel within 14 days
Emergency service
– Costs $110 extra plus overnight shipping
– Takes 5-7 business days for processing
– Make an appointment at a passport agency before traveling there
Limited validity passport
– Issued by passport agencies for emergency situations
– Only valid for one year
– Can only be obtained by visiting a passport agency in person
Delay your trip
– Change flights and hotel reservations
– Many airlines and hotels allow changes/cancellations for passport issues
– Eat any change fees or penalties
Drive or fly within North America
– For Mexico, Canada, some Caribbean islands
– Present certified birth certificate and photo ID instead
– Cruises may still require passports
Take a cruise instead
– Some cruise itineraries stay within North America
– Birth certificate and photo ID may suffice for those routes
– Check with cruise line on their specific policies
Apply for a visa or ESTA
– Required for visiting certain countries, like the EU
– Apply for a visa or ESTA in your new passport once received
– May delay trips by a few extra weeks
No matter what, do NOT attempt international travel without a valid passport in your possession, even if your trip is rapidly approaching.
While expedited processing helps, it still takes 2-3 weeks, during which time you cannot travel internationally. Be prepared to change travel plans if your passport is lost right before a trip and allow extra time for your replacement to arrive.
Can I access my lost passport’s information?
If you have lost your passport and applied for a replacement, you may still need some of the information and details from your old passport when traveling or applying for visas.
Here’s how to access key data from your lost passport:
Reference your application form
When you complete the DS-11 application form for your new passport, you must provide information from your lost passport like:
- Passport number
- Issue date
- Expiration date
Keep a copy of your DS-11 application for the details. Or if you applied in person, reference the certified copy you should have been given.
Check your emails
Look for any emails from when you originally applied for the lost passport or received it. These may contain your old passport number.
Contact the National Passport Center
You can call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778. They can look up key details from your lost passport like issue and expiration dates.
Reference Visa/ESTA applications
If you have submitted past visa or ESTA applications, these require your passport number and details. Check past printouts or confirmation emails.
Check your travel records
Airlines and border crossing/immigration records may list your lost passport number. Check past e-tickets, boarding passes, etc.
Check photocopies
If you made photocopies of your passport’s data page, this will contain the passport number, your photo and other key details.
Always make at least one photocopy of your passport in case it is lost or stolen when traveling. Store securely, such as in your email, cloud storage, or safe deposit box.
Avoid passport loss and theft
Losing your passport or having it stolen can have severe consequences for your upcoming travel. Here are some tips to help avoid passport loss:
Store it securely at home
Keep your passport locked up safely when not in use. Options include a safe, locked file cabinet, or safe deposit box at your bank.
Carry a photocopy while traveling
Bring a photocopy of your passport’s data page with you on trips, separate from the actual passport. Also email a copy to yourself.
Never pack it in checked luggage
Always keep your passport on your person when flying internationally, never in checked baggage.
Use RFID blocking
RFID blocking wallets and passport covers can help protect your passport from remote access by hackers or identity thieves.
Leave a copy with family/friends
Let trusted family members or friends have photocopies of your passport in case of emergencies or loss.
Know where it is at all times
Be hyper aware whenever clearing immigration or showing photo ID where your passport is. Don’t set it down or hand it to anyone unless absolutely necessary.
Have backups of your documentation
Apply for passport cards or passport books so you have two. Make extra photocopies of your birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
Review visa/ESTA needs
Check if you have active visas that would still be valid in a replacement passport. Research visa and ESTA renewal timelines for the countries you plan to visit.
Check your insurance
Some travel insurance policies help cover emergency passport replacement while abroad. Read policies closely for this coverage.
Scan and store digitally
Take pictures of your passport pages and important travel documents and email them to yourself so you have digital backups if originals are lost.
Be vigilant about keeping track of your passport anytime you travel internationally. But even with the most careful handling, passport loss or theft can still occur. Now you know how to quickly replace a lost passport even if you have upcoming travel.
Conclusion
Replacing a lost passport quickly involves prompt reporting, paying expedited processing fees, making appointments for in-person application, and providing complete documentation. With expedited service, you can receive a new passport in 2-3 weeks for $60 extra. For upcoming international travel under 14 days, emergency service at a passport agency costs $110 extra but takes just 5-7 days. While replacing a lost passport incurs fees and inconvenience, you can still receive emergency travel documents quickly by following the proper procedures. Be sure to take precautions like photocopying your passport to avoid needing replacement due to loss or theft in the first place.