Losing your passport, especially days before an international trip, raises urgent questions: How do you report it? Will someone steal your identity? Can you still travel? And how quickly can you get a replacement?
In this guide, we’ll answer all of these passport information questions and more. We’ll describe the passport service process for reporting a lost or stolen passport, make a list of other institutions you should monitor to avoid identity theft, and help you apply for new documents to avoid delays to your travel plans.
The very first thing you must do is formally report your valid, unexpired U.S. passport as lost or stolen to the U.S. Department of State—and you should do it as quickly as possible.
This report electronically cancels the passport, making it permanently invalid for international travel by anyone, including you if you find it later. Attempting to travel on a passport that has been reported lost or stolen can result in significant travel delays or even detention at the U.S. border. Reporting is also your first and most important line of defense against identity theft.
One important clarification: this reporting requirement only applies to valid, unexpired passports. If your missing passport has already expired, it's no longer valid for travel and you do not need to formally report it through this process.
The official form is Form DS-64: Statement Regarding a Valid Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport Book and/or Card. You have five options for submitting it:
When reporting, have the following ready:
The replacement process requires more documentation than a standard renewal. Because you can't present your old passport, the government requires additional proof of both your identity and your U.S. citizenship to issue a new one.
You'll need Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport—the same form used by first-time applicants. Required documents also include:
Proof of U.S. Citizenship (one of the following originals):
You must also provide a black-and-white photocopy of whichever citizenship document you submit, single-sided on standard 8.5 x 11 inch paper. Your original will be returned to you, though sometimes separately from your new passport.
Proof of Identity (one of the following originals):
Digital IDs are not accepted. If your primary ID is out-of-state, bring a second ID as well. You must also provide a black-and-white photocopy of your photo ID (front and back), single-sided on 8.5 x 11 inch paper.
Passport photo: One color photograph taken within the last six months, 2×2 inches, on a white or off-white background, with a neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed, and no eyeglasses or headwear (unless for documented religious or medical reasons).
Forms:
Note: you do not need your lost passport's number to apply. If you have it, include it on DS-64—it helps the State Department flag the document faster—but it is not required to move forward.
Unlike a standard renewal, a lost or stolen passport cannot be replaced by mail using Form DS-82. You must apply for your new passport in person at a designated Passport Acceptance Facility, where an official agent will verify your identity and witness your signature on Form DS-11. This in-person requirement is a security measure that applies any time the previous passport cannot be physically presented.
Acceptance facilities include many post offices, public libraries, and county clerk offices. You can use GOV+ Passport Offices directory to find locations near you. Appointments are often required, so check each facility's scheduling system before showing up.
You will pay two separate fees, often to different payees and potentially by different payment methods:
The application fee is typically paid by check or money order made out to the "U.S. Department of State." The execution fee is paid directly to the facility, which may accept cash, card, or check—confirm their accepted payment methods in advance. Incorrect fees can delay your application.
Note: If you are on GOV+ Unlimited plan, you are eligible for free passport renewals before expiry and free replacements in the case of loss or theft.
If you have imminent urgent travel, you may be able to request an urgent appointment at a Regional Passport Agency—these are separate from acceptance facilities and reserved for travelers needing an emergency travel or with trips within 14 days (or 28 days if a visa is also needed).
Want to skip the paperwork complexity? GOV+ prepares your complete DS-11 and DS-64 application package online—pre-filled, reviewed for errors, and ready to submit—so your in-person visit is as quick as possible.
Canceling your passport stops a thief from boarding a plane with it—but it does nothing to erase the information printed on the data page. They still have your name, date of birth, place of birth, and passport number. In the wrong hands, that is enough to open fraudulent credit accounts, take out loans, or pass identity verification checks at financial institutions.
A lost or stolen passport is effectively a data breach, and it requires protective action beyond just filing the report. That protective action should be focused on the personal data it exposed.
If you believe your passport was stolen rather than lost, file a report with the local police department where the theft occurred. The State Department does not always require a police report to process a replacement, but having one creates official documentation that is invaluable if you later need to dispute fraudulent accounts or activity with credit bureaus or businesses.
Keep a close eye on your bank accounts, credit cards, and any other financial accounts for unauthorized transactions or unfamiliar activity. You are also entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—through AnnualCreditReport.com. Review them carefully for accounts, loans, or inquiries you don't recognize.
These measures make it significantly harder for a thief to open new accounts in your name:
If you discover unauthorized accounts, transactions, or other signs that your identity has been stolen, file a report immediately with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338. The FTC provides a personalized recovery plan to guide you through resolving each issue. Your FTC report combined with a police report constitutes an official "Identity Theft Report," which is typically required when working with credit bureaus and businesses to remove fraudulent debts or information.
Don’t let a lost passport put your travel plans at risk. GOV+ makes renewing your passport simple, fast, and stress-free. Just fill out one easy online form, and we’ll help make sure your application is complete and ready to submit.
GOV+ makes passport renewal easy:
And after you replace your passport, GOV+ helps you stay ahead of expiration deadlines with reminders, so your passport doesn’t catch you off guard before your next trip.
Replace your passport with GOV+
What should I do first if I lose my passport?
Report it to the U.S. Department of State immediately using Form DS-64. This electronically cancels the passport so no one else can travel on it. You can report online at pptform.state.gov, by phone at 1-877-487-2778, or in person when you apply for a replacement. Once reported, the cancellation is permanent—even if you find the passport later, it cannot be used for travel. After reporting, take steps to protect yourself from identity theft by monitoring your financial accounts and placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus.
1. Can I replace a lost passport online?
Not entirely. The reporting step can be completed online at pptform.state.gov, but the replacement itself must be done in person—you cannot use the mail-in renewal process (Form DS-82) for a lost or stolen passport. You must apply in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility using Form DS-11, where an agent will verify your identity and witness your signature. GOV+ can prepare your complete DS-11 and DS-64 application package online so your in-person visit is as fast and error-free as possible.
2. What forms do I need to report a lost or stolen passport?
You need two forms. Form DS-64 (Statement Regarding a Valid Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport Book and/or Card) is the official report form that cancels your passport with the State Department. Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport) is the replacement application, the same form used by first-time applicants. Both can be generated together using the State Department's online form filler. Note: DS-64 is only required for valid, unexpired passports. If your lost passport has already expired, you do not need to file DS-64.
3. How long does it take to get a replacement passport?
Routine processing for a replacement passport takes 4-6 weeks, not including mailing time. Expedited processing takes 2–3 weeks and costs an additional $60. If you need your passport faster than that—within 14 days due to imminent international travel—you may be able to book an urgent appointment at a Regional Passport Agency. Adding the optional 1–2 day expedited delivery service costs an additional $22.05. Processing times can vary seasonally, so apply as early as possible.
4. How much does it cost to replace a lost passport?
Replacing a lost passport requires paying two separate fees. The application fee—paid to the U.S. Department of State—is $130 for a passport book, $30 for a passport card, or $160 for both. The execution fee—paid to the acceptance facility—is $35 regardless of what you're applying for. That brings the standard total to $165 for a book, $65 for a card, or $195 for both. If you choose expedited processing, add $60 to the application fee. Optional 1–2 day return delivery adds $22.05.
5. What if I find my lost passport after reporting it?
It cannot be used. Once you report a passport as lost or stolen, the U.S. Department of State permanently invalidates it in their system. Attempting to travel on a canceled passport can result in being turned away at the border or detained upon reentry to the United States. You should destroy the old passport and rely on the replacement you applied for. There is no way to reverse or undo a lost passport report.
6. What should I do if I need to travel urgently without a passport?
If your trip is within 14 days (or within 28 days if you also need a foreign visa), you may qualify for an urgent appointment at a Regional Passport Agency. These are separate from standard acceptance facilities and handle time-sensitive cases. You'll need to show proof of imminent travel (such as a flight itinerary) to book an appointment. Expedited processing at an acceptance facility (2–3 weeks) is the next fastest option if your travel date is further out. GOV+ can help you prepare your application quickly and correctly to avoid any delays caused by paperwork errors.
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