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Reviewed July 31, 2026

Report and replace a lost or stolen U.S. passport

Report a valid lost or stolen passport promptly so the Department of State can cancel it. Reporting protects the document but does not issue a replacement; a new application is a separate step.

A reported passport cannot be used again

Once the Department of State records a valid passport as lost or stolen, it is canceled. Do not travel with it if you later find it.

Report a valid passport promptly

Report the physical passport when a valid passport book or passport card is lost or stolen. Do not report an expired passport merely because you cannot find it. If only the passport number or a copy was exposed but the physical document is still secure, review the official guidance before canceling the passport.

Choose a reporting method

  • Online: use the Department of State form filler to report the loss or theft. The agency states that online reports generally cancel the passport within one business day.
  • By mail: complete and mail Form DS-64 with the required identification copy. This route can take longer.
  • With a replacement application: explain the loss or theft on Form DS-11 when applying for a new passport. Reporting separately online may cancel the old passport sooner.

Apply for a replacement

Reporting the document does not replace it. A replacement generally requires a new in-person Form DS-11 application with citizenship evidence, photo identification and photocopy, a compliant photo, and the current fees. Include the requested details about when and where the passport was lost or stolen and a police report if one was filed.

If the passport was lost or stolen abroad

Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Consular staff may issue an emergency or limited-validity passport depending on the evidence and travel need. After returning or when able to meet the full requirements, follow the instructions for replacing a limited-validity passport.

If the passport was lost in the mail

First check the application-status system and shipment tracking. A passport that the Department of State mailed but you never received follows a different process, commonly involving Form DS-86. The official deadline is important; after it passes, you may have to submit a new application and pay the required fees again.

Protect the rest of the record

  1. Keep the lost-or-stolen report confirmation.
  2. Save the replacement application receipt and tracking information.
  3. Monitor accounts and identity records if the passport was stolen with other personal information.
  4. Update travel reservations only after confirming that the replacement document will meet the destination’s entry rules.

Official sources

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