Lost Passport Card – What To Do if Misplaced Abroad
If didn’t know, getting back into the states isn’t possible without a passport. So what steps will you need to take in the unfortunate event you lose yours’s while outside of the country?
Items needed if you lose your passport:
A Passport Photo
Drivers license or ID Card (you can also bring an expired passport)
Birth certificate (or photo copy)
Photo of missing passport
Your itinerary
Police report (if applicable)
DS-11 Application
DS-64
(Complete list of U.S. Consulates around the world below)
When traveling regardless of the reason, it's really easy to get lost in emotion and with that comes an increased risk of carelessness. But let's face it, no one is perfect and besides, who doesn't get excited when they travel? The best thing you can do is remain calm and follow the simply instructions in this article.
Regardless of your situation, it's happened to someone before and it will most certainly happen to someone else again. Keep reading so we can have you on your way sooner than later!
Below is a list of common scenarios [follow the steps for the one that best fits yours]
Just remember, you will be just fine! Now let's get you home...
My Passport was Lost or Stolen, and my flight leaves sooner than later.. HELP!
If you’re unsure about whether or not you need your passport to return home, let me first clarify, YES .. You cannot return to the states without it. Fortunately, the State Department is prepared for every possible scenario and how best to handle them.
Whether your passport was lost or stolen the process is pretty much the same with just a couple slight variations involved (I will point any variation out in the steps below, don’t worry!).
Obtain the necessary documents/items ahead of contacting the consular. This will make the process move along much faster and smoother. If for some reason you are unable to supply all of the documents/items listed, the consular will do their very best to minimize any roadblocks that may stand in the way of you getting home sooner than later (more to come on that).
What Documents/Items You Will Need?
- A Passport Photo: No different from your original passport photo, you will need to ensure that it follows the same basic principles. Your photo must be printed out, as the consular cannot except emailed or texted photos.
- A color photo (no more than 6 months old).
- Image must be clear without any filters.
- No selfies allowed. You should have someone else take your picture on your behalf.
- Do not wear your glasses in the photo.
- Your background should be plain white or off-white.
Identification: ID includes one or more of the following
- U.S. Drivers License
- U.S. ID Card
- Expired U.S. Passport
Proof of U.S. Citizenship: The following documents are accepted
- Birth certificate (if all you have is a photocopy you should bring it)
- Photocopy of your missing passport
Itinerary
- Airline or train ticket (if they’re only on your phone be sure they are pulled up and ready to present)
Police Report (if your passport was stolen / A police report is not mandatory)
Although it is recommended that you file a police report whether your passport was stolen or simply lost, you definitely want to do so if an actual crime occurred. This will assist in working through your case. By doing so it will add extra weight and thus priority to your situation when working with a consular.
DS-11 Application for Passport
The DS-11 is the same application used when you originally applied for your passport. It will be provided to you at the consulate.
DS-64 Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport
The DS-64 allows you to make a statement regarding the nature of events surrounding how your passport was lost or stolen. This document will also be provided to you at the consulate.
Other Things to Consider...
- What if I am traveling with an Infant? You can call ahead to the consulate to inquire whether or not a photo is required for your infant if you’re traveling with one (see list below).
- What if I am the victim of a serious crime or natural disaster (or unable to pay or receive payment assistance)? If for some reason you are unable to pay for a replacement passport, you may have a relative at home contact the U.S. Depart of State in Washing D.C. at 1-888-407-4747. They can assist your relative/friend with providing you financial assistance.
Other factors include serious crime and natural disasters. In such cases travelers can be provided a limited-validity passport at no cost to them in order to expedite their return home quickly and safely. Upon return they will be expected to contact the State Department to have their temporary passport replaced with a full-validity.
Complete list of U.S. Consulates from around the world (follow the link)
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- U.S. Mission to ASEAN
- U.S. Mission to the African Union
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bermuda
- Bolivia
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burma
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- China
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- U.S. Mission to the EU
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- The Gambia
- Haiti
- Holy See
- Honduras
- Hong Kong and Macau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- U.S. Mission to the ICAO
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyz Republic
- Laos
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar & Comoros
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Micronesia
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- U.S. Mission to NATO
- Oman
- U.S. Mission to OSCE
- U.S. Mission to the OAS
- U.S. Mission to the OECD
- Pakistan
- Palau
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- American Institute in Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tonga
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- U.S. Mission to the UN-Geneva
- U.S. Mission to the UN-Rome
- U.S. Mission to the United Nations
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- U.S. Mission to International Organizations in Vienna
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Good luck!
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