What to Do If You Lose a Passport Overseas

Passports are required documents for foreign travel.

Travelers to overseas destinations need a passport. This document is vital for traveling between foreign countries as well as returning to your home country, so it is crucial to replace it immediately if it is lost when travelling.

Solution

Visit or call the American Embassy in the country where you are traveling as soon as possible. According to the State Department website, you will need to work through the American Citizens Services unit of the Consular Section of the embassy to prove your citizenship status and obtain a replacement passport.

Considerations

Take any identifying information you have with you when you visit with a consular agent. This should include any identification cards, including a driver's license. You may also need to provide a witness to verify your identity. This can be someone in your traveling group, or a member of your family on the phone from home.

Warnings

You will not be permitted to fly out of the country or reenter your home country without a passport. There will be a cost associated with the new passport and it may take a couple of days to issue, depending on the situation. The sooner you can report the problem, the better.

References

• US State Department: Lost and Stolen U.S. Passports Abroad