Lost Passport? Here’s How to Replace Your Passport Quickly

About 300,000 Americans lose or have their passports stolen every year. If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of them. Don’t panic, but don’t wait either—lost passport replacement is straightforward if you know what to do, and the faster you move, the less likely you’ll miss a flight or deal with identity theft.

Whether you left it in an Uber or had it pickpocketed in Rome, here’s the step-by-step guide to replace a lost passport quickly.

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Why reporting a lost passport matters (like, immediately)

Your passport isn’t just paper—it’s your identity in book form. Criminals cross borders with stolen passports, open credit accounts, and sometimes worse. That’s why the State Department treats lost passports seriously.

Report it as soon as you realize it’s gone. Here’s what reporting does:

• Invalidates the lost passport so nobody can use it
• Protects you legally if someone tries to use it anyway
• Officially starts the lost passport replacement process

The U.S. keeps a database of lost and stolen passports. Airlines and border control check it constantly. Once you report yours, it’s flagged worldwide.

Step 1: Report your lost or stolen passport (online, takes 5 minutes)

If you’re in the U.S., use the State Department’s online portal to file Form DS-64. This form tells the government your passport is gone.

It’s required by law. Don’t skip it.

What you’ll need to report

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number
• Passport number (if you kept a copy)
• Where and when you lost it (best guess is fine)
• Whether it was lost or stolen

Quick tip: Next time you travel, snap a photo of your passport’s info page and email it to yourself. If you need to replace a lost passport, having that photo saves hours of headache.

If you’re abroad, you’ll file the report at a U.S. embassy or consulate instead. More on that below.

Step 2: Get your documents together for the replacement

Once you’ve filed DS-64, you apply for a replacement. You can’t renew a lost passport through the mail like you would normally—you have to treat it like a first-time application.

Documents checklist

1. Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport)—don’t sign it yet
2. Proof of citizenship: birth certificate, naturalization papers, or an old passport copy
3. Government ID: driver’s license, state ID, or military ID
4. Passport photo (2×2 inches, white background, recent)
5. $200 total ($165 application + $35 execution fee)
6. DS-64 confirmation page (print it after filing online)

Don’t have a birth certificate? Order one from your state’s vital records office. That can add two to four weeks, so plan ahead.

Check out our passport renewal time guide for details on how long each option takes.

Step 3: Apply in person (yes, you have to go somewhere)

Unlike renewals, a stolen passport replacement requires an in-person appointment. You can’t mail it in.

Where to go for lost passport replacement

There are over 8,000 places that accept passport applications:

• U.S. Post Offices
• County clerk offices
• Public libraries
• Some city halls

Use the facility search tool to find one. Call ahead—a lot of them require appointments now.

What happens at the appointment

The agent will check your documents, watch you sign Form DS-11, take your photo and payment, and send everything to Washington.

You’ll walk out with a receipt that has a tracking number. Keep it.

How long does lost passport replacement actually take?

The timeline for a lost passport replacement is the same as a first-time passport:

• Routine: 6–8 weeks
• Expedited: 2–3 weeks (+$60)
• Overnight return shipping: +$21.36

If you’ve got a trip coming up fast, there are ways to speed things up—but you’ll need proof of travel.

Emergency passport services (when you need it yesterday)

Booked a flight in two weeks and just realized your passport is gone? You might qualify for emergency service.

Life-or-death emergencies (within 72 hours)

If you need to fly out within three days because of a family emergency abroad—serious illness, injury, or death—you can get an emergency passport in one or two business days.

You’ll need:

• Proof of the emergency (hospital records, death certificate)
• Flight confirmation
• All standard documents
• An appointment at a regional passport agency

Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 to book it.

Urgent travel (within 14 days)

Got a trip in the next two weeks? Visit a regional passport agency. Processing time is one to two business days after your appointment.

You need:

• Proof of international travel (flight + hotel confirmation)
• All required documents
• An appointment (same number: 1-877-487-2778)

Important: Regional agencies are only in major cities—New York, LA, Chicago, DC, etc. If you’re not near one, you might need a third-party expediting company (expect to pay $200–$500 on top of government fees).

Track your passport with ExpireBuddy so you never end up in this situation again.

Lost your passport abroad? Here’s what to do

This one’s trickier, but totally doable. First: breathe.

File a police report if it was stolen

Get documentation from local police. You’ll need it for the embassy and for insurance.

Get to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate

Use the embassy finder and call ahead to schedule an appointment for passport replacement abroad.

Bring:

• Copy of your lost passport (if you have one)
• Any government ID (driver’s license, even a photocopy helps)
• Passport photos (2×2 inches—find a local photo shop if needed)
• Birth certificate if you have it
• Return flight confirmation

Emergency passport vs. full replacement

Embassies can issue two types of travel documents:

1. Emergency passport: Gets you home. Limited validity, issued same-day or next-day. You’ll apply for a real one when you’re back.
2. Full passport: Standard 10-year book. Takes one to two weeks. Only bigger embassies offer this.

Most people grab the emergency one, fly home, and do the full lost passport replacement process from the U.S.

Costs

• Emergency passport: $165
• Full passport: $165
• After-hours emergency service: varies by embassy

Payment varies by location. Some take credit cards, some need cash (local currency or USD).

Protect yourself from identity theft after losing your passport

Your passport has everything a scammer needs: photo, signature, name, DOB, passport number. It’s a gold mine for identity fraud.

Do this right away

1. Fraud alert with credit bureaus: Call Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. This flags your file and makes it harder to open accounts in your name.
2. Monitor for passport fraud: If someone tries to use your passport, Customs and Border Protection might contact you. If you get weird alerts, call the Office of Passport Services.
3. Watch your accounts: Check bank statements, credit cards, anything linked to your identity.

Good news: Once it’s reported, your passport is flagged worldwide. Thieves can’t board planes or cross borders with it.

How to avoid losing your passport again

A few simple habits go a long way.

Storage tips

• Use a travel wallet or RFID pouch (wear it under your clothes when traveling)
• Hotel safe when you’re not using it (never check a bag with your passport in it)
• Keep copies separate—email yourself a scan and save a photocopy somewhere safe

Track it digitally

Use an app like ExpireBuddy to:

• Track expiration dates
• Set renewal reminders 9–12 months out
• Store encrypted copies

For more on passport validity rules, check our full guide.

Know where you’re going

Some places have higher pickpocketing rates. If you’re heading to a tourist-heavy city, keep your passport locked up except when you need it.

What if you find it after reporting it lost?

Too late. Once you file DS-64, that passport is dead forever.

Even if you find it under your couch the next day, you can’t use it. The passport number is flagged in international databases. Try to board a plane with it, and you’ll get stopped.

What to do:

1. Don’t try to travel with it
2. Keep it as backup ID if you want (it still proves citizenship in some cases)
3. Or shred it—it’s worthless now anyway

Your replacement will have a new passport number.

Quick recap: Lost passport replacement checklist

Here’s your action plan for lost passport replacement:

1. ✅ Report it immediately (DS-64 online or at embassy)
2. ✅ Gather docs (DS-11, birth certificate, ID, photo, $200)
3. ✅ Book appointment at acceptance facility
4. ✅ Apply in person
5. ✅ Track your application
6. ✅ Get your replacement in 2–8 weeks (faster if expedited)
7. ✅ Monitor credit for fraud
8. ✅ Store your new passport smarter

Losing a passport sucks, but the passport replacement process is pretty efficient if you move fast.

Don’t get stuck with an expired passport either

Best way to avoid emergencies? Track your expiration date.

Most countries won’t let you in if your passport expires within six months. Even if it’s technically valid, airlines might not let you board.

Read more about the six-month rule and how it affects travel.

Don’t let an expired or lost passport ruin your plans. Download ExpireBuddy to track every important document in one app, set reminders, and travel without stress.