How to Report a Lost or Stolen Passport

If you've lost your U.S. passport or it's been stolen, you need to take immediate action to prevent identity theft. Happily, reporting a lost or stolen passport is a straightforward procedure, and you should be able to replace it fairly quickly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you lose your passport while abroad. The embassy or consulate generally requires that you visit them in person to complete your report and take the necessary steps for a new passport, or substitute identification as you travel.

2. Download the Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport: DS-64 from the State Department if your passport was lost or stolen in the United States. You need Adobe for this download.

3. Complete the form in full and print it out. If you can't complete some of the form, leave those sections blank. Sign and date it.

4. Submit the form to the U.S. Department of State; Passport Services; Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section; 1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 500; Washington, DC 20036. Only submit the form to this address if you're not applying for a new passport.

5. Replace a lost or stolen passport by downloading and completing the Application for Passport, Form DS-11, and bringing both it and the completed Form DS-64 to a local passport agency or acceptance facility.

Tips & Warnings

• When completing Form DS-11, question 18, write your name as it appeared on your lost or stolen passport, write the approximate issuance date, record your lost or stolen passport number and mark the appropriate box under the header "Disposition." If your lost or stolen passport expired, write "expired" under the category "Other."

Resources

• Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate at the U.S. Department of State.
• Download the form DS-64 to report a lost or stolen passport.