If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen, report it as soon as possible so it can be canceled and no longer used for travel. The main form for reporting a valid lost or stolen passport is Form DS-64.
If you also need a new passport, reporting the loss is only one step: you may also need to apply for a replacement using Form DS-11. In this guide, you’ll find answers to:
- What to do first if your passport is missing
- How to report a lost or stolen passport
- What changes if you are abroad
- The difference between Forms DS-64 and DS-11
- Whether you need a police report
- How to reduce identity theft risk
First Steps: Report It Immediately
The first step after realizing your passport is lost or stolen is to report it immediately. This helps prevent someone else from using it and allows the U.S. Department of State to cancel the document.
Before you report it, take a few minutes to confirm whether the passport is truly missing. If you’re traveling, check:
- All bags and luggage
- Hotel rooms, including the safe if you used it to store belongings
- Jacket pockets
- Rental cars
You should also contact any place where you recently showed identification in case your passport has been found there. Get in touch with:
- Airlines or other travel companies you have used in your trip
- Any train stations you have used
- Hotel reception
- Airport lost-and-found desks
- Local police station if theft may be involved
Once you’re sure the passport is lost or stolen, don’t delay the report. Once a passport is officially reported lost or stolen to U.S. authorities, it will be canceled and will not be valid for travel, even if you later find it.
Use this quick checklist:
How to Report a Lost or Stolen Passport With Form DS-64
To report a lost or stolen U.S. passport, use Form DS-64, also known as Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport. This form tells the U.S. Department of State that your valid passport is missing and should be canceled.
You can report a lost or stolen passport online or by mail. Passports reported online are canceled within 1 business day, with a confirmation email sent after cancellation.
You usually need to provide:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Contact information
- Passport number, if available
- Date the passport was lost or stolen
- Location where it was lost or stolen
- A short explanation of what happened
- Whether the passport was lost or stolen, or is missing for another reason
Need help preparing your report? My Passport Hub offers guided DS-64 form preparation for users who want help organizing their information before following the official reporting instructions.
We’re a private company, not a government agency. You can also report your passport directly through the U.S. Department of State.
Lost or Stolen Passport Abroad vs. in the U.S.
What you need to do depends on where you are when your passport goes missing. This table gives guidance on what to do in different situations:
H3: Checklist for U.S. lost passports abroad
For a lost passport while traveling, act quickly:
- Report the passport lost or stolen using Form DS-64
- Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if you’re abroad
- Ask what documents you need for replacement
- Keep copies of police reports, travel itineraries, and identification if available
- Don’t try to travel internationally with a passport after it has been reported lost or stolen
What forms do I need for each case in a stolen or lost passport situation?
You may need to fill out 2 different forms if you’ve lost a passport:
Reporting a passport as lost or stolen doesn’t automatically give you a replacement passport. To get a new one, you must apply in person and submit the required documentation.
If you only want to cancel the missing passport, you may only need to report it with DS-64. If you need to travel again, you need to complete the replacement process as well.
Timelines, Fees and Police Reports
According to the U.S. Department of State, passports reported lost or stolen online are canceled within 1 business day. However, you should assume your passport is canceled as soon as you submit the report and not attempt to use it again, even if you later find it.
Replacing the passport is a separate process. How long it takes depends on current demand, mailing time, appointment availability, and whether you qualify for expedited or urgent travel service.
The U.S. Department of State doesn’t charge a fee to report and cancel a lost or stolen passport using Form DS-64. Adult replacement passports cost $130 for the application fee plus a $35 acceptance facility fee.
Optional services, such as expedited processing or faster delivery, cost extra. My Passport Hub charges a separate service fee to help users prepare Forms DS-64 and DS-11.
Do I need a police report for a lost passport?
A police report is not always mandatory, but it may be useful, especially if the passport was stolen. A police report may be especially helpful if:
- Your passport was stolen along with other identification
- You need documentation for travel insurance
- You’re abroad, and local authorities require a record
- You’re concerned about identity theft
- You need evidence of the theft for later administrative steps
If in doubt, you’re recommended to file a report with local police authorities and keep a copy for your records.
Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft
A lost or stolen passport puts you at risk of identity theft because it contains sensitive personal information. Reporting the passport quickly is one of the most important steps you can take to reduce the threat of misuse.
After reporting the passport loss, you should also:
- Monitor bank, credit card, and online accounts for unusual activity.
- Keep a copy of your DS-64 confirmation or reporting record.
- Save any police report or theft documentation.
- Be cautious of messages or calls claiming someone found your passport.
- If other identification was stolen, check whether you need to replace those documents too and consider placing a fraud alert with a major credit bureau.
FAQs
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What’s the difference between a lost and a stolen passport?
A lost passport is one you cannot find, but you don’t know that someone took it. A stolen passport is one you believe was taken from you. Both situations require reporting the passport as lost or stolen using Form DS-64 if the passport is valid.
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What should I do first if my passport is lost or stolen?
First, confirm your passport is definitely gone. Then, report the loss to passport authorities as soon as possible using Form DS-64. If you’re abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for instructions on the next steps.
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Is my passport still valid if I find it after reporting it lost?
No. Once your passport is reported lost or stolen, the Department of State cancels it. It’s not valid for travel, even if you find it later. Don’t try to travel using a passport that has already been reported lost or stolen.
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What if my passport is lost or stolen while traveling abroad?
If your passport is lost or stolen abroad, report it via DS-11 and contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. You’ll need a new passport before returning to the United States. The embassy or consulate will explain the next steps.
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Can someone use my stolen passport for identity theft?
A stolen passport can be used fraudulently, including the misuse of your personal identifying information. Reporting it quickly helps cancel the passport and reduce the chance of identity theft. You should also monitor your financial accounts and consider additional identity protection steps if other documents were stolen.
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How long does it take to replace a lost passport?
Replacing a lost passport follows the standard passport application timeline. Routine processing typically takes 4 to 6 weeks or 2 to 3 weeks for expedited processing, not including mailing time. For urgent international travel, request an emergency passport appointment.
