Travel & Citizenship

Lost or Stolen Passport Abroad: What to Do Step by Step (US Citizens)

Updated 5 min read

In this guide
  1. What should you do first if your passport is lost or stolen abroad?
  2. Do you have to report the passport as lost or stolen?
  3. What is an emergency passport, and how long is it valid?
  4. How much does a replacement passport cost abroad?
  5. How long does it take to get a replacement?
  6. What if you are worried about a family member who lost their passport?
  7. What documents should you bring to the embassy?
  8. Common mistakes to avoid
  9. FAQ
    1. Can I fly home without a passport?
    2. Is a police report required?
    3. Is the emergency passport the same as a regular one?
    4. What if my passport was lost in the mail?
  10. Key takeaways
  11. Related guides
  12. Sources

Quick answer: If you are a US citizen and your passport is lost or stolen abroad, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate and ask for the Consular Section. Report the loss, apply in person for a replacement, and ask about a limited-validity emergency passport if you need to travel soon. According to the US State Department, in most cases a replacement passport is issued the next business day.

Realising your passport is gone in a foreign country is stressful, especially if your flight home is in a few days. The good news is that the process is well established, and consular staff deal with it every day. This guide walks through what to do, in what order, and what to avoid. It is written for US passport holders; if you hold another nationality, your own government’s foreign ministry will have its own process. For everything else you should organise before you travel, see our moving abroad checklist.

What should you do first if your passport is lost or stolen abroad?

  1. Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate. Ask to speak to the Consular Section and tell them your passport is lost or stolen. Contact details for each country are on the State Department’s country information pages.
  2. Think about a police report. A report is not mandatory, but the State Department recommends telling local police because it can help confirm the circumstances. If getting one would delay your travel, you can skip it.
  3. Prepare to apply in person. You must appear at the embassy or consulate. If you are leaving soon, share your travel dates and details so staff can help you quickly.
  4. Ask about an emergency passport. If you need to travel urgently, you may be eligible for a limited-validity emergency passport.

Do you have to report the passport as lost or stolen?

Yes. Reporting a valid passport right away helps protect you against identity theft. Once a passport is reported lost or stolen, it is cancelled and cannot be used for travel, even if you find it later. Reporting is also not the same as replacing: the State Department states that reporting your passport lost or stolen does not replace it, so you still need to apply for a new one.

The State Department’s reporting options include the online form and Form DS-64. When you apply for a replacement abroad, the embassy will walk you through the paperwork, and on a Form DS-11 application you will describe where and when the passport was lost or stolen and include any police report you have.

What is an emergency passport, and how long is it valid?

An emergency passport is a limited-validity passport for people who must travel before a full one can be issued. The State Department says it can be valid for up to one year, and you can exchange it for a full-validity passport after your trip.

How much does a replacement passport cost abroad?

Replacement passports cost the same as any other passport. If you are the victim of a serious crime or a disaster and cannot afford the fee, you may be eligible for a free limited-validity emergency passport. Check current fees on the State Department’s passport fees page before you go, since amounts change.

How long does it take to get a replacement?

The State Department says that in most cases a replacement passport will be issued the next business day. There is an important catch: most embassies cannot issue passports on weekends or holidays. Plan around local holidays, which may differ from US ones, and tell the Consular Section your travel date as early as possible.

What if you are worried about a family member who lost their passport?

A loved one can call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 to be connected to the nearest embassy or consulate.

What documents should you bring to the embassy?

The State Department refers to a list of documents to bring, and the embassy’s own page will show current requirements. Consular staff say they will help even if you cannot present everything. A sensible approach is to bring any photo ID you still have, a copy or photo of your lost passport if you kept one, your travel itinerary, and a police report if you have one. Having these ready speeds things up, which is one reason a pre-trip document routine pays off. Our document checklist for moving abroad includes keeping separate copies of your passport. If you need new photos, see why passport photos get rejected.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting to report. Report right away to limit identity-theft risk.
  • Trying to travel on the old passport after finding it. Once reported, it is cancelled.
  • Planning for a weekend fix. Most embassies do not issue passports on weekends or holidays.
  • Paying a “fixer” for a fast replacement. Only the embassy or consulate can issue a US passport. Be careful with unsolicited offers; see our guides to avoiding transfer scams and visa and job offer scams if anyone asks you to wire money.

FAQ

Can I fly home without a passport?

Not without a valid travel document. Ask the embassy about an emergency passport, which is designed for this situation.

Is a police report required?

No, but it is recommended, and you can skip it if it would delay your travel.

Is the emergency passport the same as a regular one?

It has limited validity, up to one year, and you can exchange it for a full-validity passport after your trip.

What if my passport was lost in the mail?

The State Department says that if more than 2 weeks have passed since mailing, call 877-487-2778 and complete Form DS-86 within 120 days of issuance.

Key takeaways

  • Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate and ask for the Consular Section.
  • Report the loss; the old passport can never be used again.
  • Apply in person; ask about an emergency passport if you travel soon.
  • Replacement is usually issued the next business day, but not on weekends or holidays.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the State Department or your embassy. Last updated: October 2026.

Sources

  • US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: Lost or Stolen Passport Abroad
  • US Department of State: Report a Lost or Stolen Passport

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