How to Report a Stolen Passport

Although there are several steps that must be taken to report a lost or stolen passport, they aren't difficult to replace if you can provide adequate proof of citizenship.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Report your lost or stolen passport to local authorities, and obtain a copy of the report. A copy may be necessary to obtain a replacement.

2. Find the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy. An embassy or consular officer will be able to help.

3. Be prepared to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. A copy of a birth certificate or state-issued driver's license is usually adequate.

4. Once you've filled out the required forms and provide sufficient proof of citizenship, your lost or stolen passport will probably be replaced within twenty-four hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Before leaving on a trip, always provide a close friend or family member with a copy of your itinerary in case of an emergency. You may require assistance from home.
• Travel with a copy of your birth certificate, your passport number and other identifying information, and store them separately from your passport. If you have to report it lost or stolen, you'll still be able to identify yourself and easily obtain a replacement.
• If the U.S. consulate or embassy is closed due to a holiday or weekend, unless there is an extreme emergency, you'll have to wait to report your passport lost or stolen during regular hours of operation.