If you've lost your U.S. passport, report it immediately and apply for a replacement using Form DS-11 in person. Submit Form DS-64 alongside your DS-11 to formally report the loss. Here are the three actions to take right now:
- Report the loss to the State Department using the online form filler, which triggers electronic cancellation within one business day.
- Gather your documents — proof of U.S. citizenship, a valid photo ID, and a compliant passport photo — and complete both DS-11 and DS-64 before your appointment.
- Choose where to apply based on urgency: a passport acceptance facility for routine replacement, or a regional passport agency if you have travel within two weeks.
A reported passport is permanently canceled. Even if you find it later, that document cannot be used for travel. A found passport must be submitted for cancellation to the State Department's CLASP program. There are no exceptions.
Table of Contents
- What should you do in the first hour after losing your passport?
- How do you report a lost or stolen passport using Form DS-64?
- Applying for a replacement with Form DS-11: what to bring and what to expect
- Where should you submit your replacement application?
- How long does lost passport replacement actually take?
- What to do if you lose your passport abroad
- Special situations the State Department covers
- What fees will you pay for a replacement passport?
- Key Takeaways
- The mistake most people make when they lose their passport
- Passportcenter makes the replacement process less stressful
- Official sources to bookmark right now
What should you do in the first hour after losing your passport?
Act fast, but don't panic. The sequence matters.
- Search the obvious places first — coat pockets, hotel safe, carry-on, and any bag you used at your last checkpoint. Passports often turn up in common places like coat pockets, hotel safes, or carry-on bags.
- Stop any travel plans that depend on the passport until you have a replacement or emergency document confirmed.
- File a police report if theft is suspected. You don't need it to report to the State Department, but it strengthens your DS-64 and can help with identity-protection steps later.
- Report the loss online using the State Department's online form filler. This cancels the passport within one business day and sends you a confirmation email. Save that email.
- Pull together your replacement documents — birth certificate or naturalization certificate, driver's license or state ID, and a photocopy of each.
Pro Tip: Photograph every document in your wallet before any trip. If you lose your passport, having a photo of the data page on your phone gives you the passport number for DS-64 and speeds the entire process. If you don't have that photo, Passportcenter's guide on recovering your passport number walks through your options.
How do you report a lost or stolen passport using Form DS-64?
Form DS-64 is a sworn statement, not a simple checkbox. It tells the State Department where and when the passport was lost, whether a police report was filed, and enough detail to identify the specific document. Skimping on those details is one of the most common mistakes applicants make.
You have three ways to report:
- Online form filler (fastest): The State Department's online tool cancels the passport promptly and emails you a confirmation. Use this route whenever possible.
- Mail-in DS-64: Print, complete, and mail the form. This works if you're not yet ready to apply for a replacement, but it's slower and you won't get real-time confirmation.
- Report while submitting DS-11: You can report the loss at the same time you apply for your replacement. Include DS-64 with your DS-11 packet, or fill in the lost-passport details directly on DS-11. Either way, the details must be complete.
DS-64 asks for the passport number, issue date, where and when the loss occurred, and whether a police report exists. If you don't know your passport number, include as much detail as you can and attach the police report. Leaving fields blank is what causes agencies to pause applications and request a separate DS-64 weeks later.
Applying for a replacement with Form DS-11: what to bring and what to expect
Lost-passport replacement always requires Form DS-11, and it always requires an in-person appointment. You cannot renew by mail when your previous passport was lost or stolen.
Required documents:
- Completed Form DS-11 (do not sign it until you're in front of the acceptance agent)
- Completed Form DS-64 (or lost-passport details filled in on DS-11)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship: certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad
- Valid photo ID: driver's license, state ID, or military ID
- Photocopy of the front and back of your photo ID
- One passport photo meeting State Department specs (2x2 inches, white background, taken within the last six months)
The acceptance agent verifies your documents, witnesses your DS-11 signature, and collects the execution fee. Signing DS-11 before your appointment is a common mistake that forces you to complete a new form on the spot.
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Form DS-11 | Complete but unsigned; sign in front of agent |
| Form DS-64 | Required when lost passport is not submitted |
| Proof of citizenship | Original certified document (not a photocopy) |
| Photo ID | Government-issued with photo and signature |
| ID photocopy | Front and back on same page |
| Passport photo | 2x2 in., white background, recent |
For full step-by-step detail on the adult passport application process, the State Department's page is the authoritative reference.
Where should you submit your replacement application?
Your urgency determines the right location.
Passport acceptance facilities (post offices, county clerk offices, some libraries) handle routine and expedited applications. They forward your packet to a processing center, so there's no same-day service here. Use this route if your travel is more than a few weeks out.
Regional passport agencies are the option when travel is imminent. Appointments are available for travelers with imminent international travel or visa requirements. You'll need to show proof of travel: a flight itinerary, cruise booking, or similar documentation. Walk-ins are not accepted; book through the State Department's appointment system.
U.S. embassies and consulates serve Americans who lose their passports abroad. They can issue emergency limited-validity passports for return travel. See the abroad section below for the full procedure.
If you're in Florida and need a fast appointment, Passportcenter's Florida passport agency guide covers local agency locations and booking tips.
How long does lost passport replacement actually take?
The State Department's published processing times cover agency review only. They do not include the time your application spends in the mail going to the agency or the time your new passport spends in the mail coming back to you. That distinction matters when you're planning around a trip.
| Service level | Agency review time | What it excludes |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | Weeks (check current times at travel.state.gov) | Inbound and outbound mail transit |
| Expedited (fee required) | Faster than routine | Inbound and outbound mail transit |
| Agency appointment | Same day or next day | Travel to/from agency |
Current processing times are updated weekly on the State Department's site. Always check before booking anything.
To shorten total wait time:
- Use a trackable, prepaid return envelope so you can monitor your passport's return trip.
- Submit complete DS-64 details upfront. Incomplete forms can pause processing and add weeks.
- Book an agency appointment if travel is within 14 days.
Pro Tip: Add at least a week to whatever processing time the State Department lists to account for mail transit in both directions. For a realistic end-to-end picture, Passportcenter's processing time guide breaks down the full timeline.
What to do if you lose your passport abroad
Losing your passport overseas is more stressful, but the path forward is clear.
- Report the loss immediately using the State Department's online form filler if you have internet access. This cancels the passport electronically.
- Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Use the embassy locator to find the closest location and call ahead to explain your situation.
- Gather what you have: any secondary ID (driver's license, copy of your passport data page), proof of U.S. citizenship if available, and your travel itinerary.
- Request an emergency appointment. Consular officers can issue an emergency limited-validity passport to get you home. These are typically valid for up to one year.
- Apply for a full-validity replacement after you return to the U.S., following the standard DS-11 process.
What consular staff typically request:
- Completed DS-11 and DS-64
- Evidence of U.S. citizenship (copy of birth certificate if you have it)
- Any available photo ID
- Two passport photos
- Proof of your travel itinerary
Emergency passports issued abroad cover return travel. A full-validity passport follows normal fees and processing rules and is issued when circumstances allow, usually after you're back home.
Special situations the State Department covers
Passport lost in the mail: Contact the State Department directly. In some cases involving natural disasters or documented mail loss, fee waivers may apply. Document everything and follow the instructions provided by the State Department representative.
Passport number or personal data exposed: Report the passport as lost or stolen immediately, even if you still have the physical document. Identity exposure is treated the same as physical loss for cancellation purposes. Follow up with the Federal Trade Commission's identity theft resources at IdentityTheft.gov.
Found someone else's passport: Do not mail it. Turn it in to the nearest passport acceptance facility, U.S. embassy, or consulate. The State Department will handle return or cancellation.
Passport of a deceased relative: Do not report it as lost or stolen. There is a specific process for surrendering a deceased person's passport. Passportcenter's guide on handling a passport after someone dies covers the correct steps.
What fees will you pay for a replacement passport?
Fees depend on your age, whether you want a book or card, and how fast you need it. The amounts below reflect the State Department's published fee schedule; always confirm current fees before your appointment because they are subject to change.
| Fee type | What it covers | Where to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Processing your DS-11 | travel.state.gov/fees |
| Execution fee | Paid to the acceptance facility for witnessing DS-11 | Acceptance facility |
| Expedite fee | Faster agency review than routine service | travel.state.gov/fees |
| 1–3 day delivery fee | Expedited return shipping of issued passport book | travel.state.gov/fees |
Payment methods vary by location. Most acceptance facilities take check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for the application fee. The execution fee is paid separately to the facility and is often cash or card. Confirm accepted payment methods when you book your appointment.
Key Takeaways
Reporting the loss immediately and applying in person with complete DS-11 and DS-64 documentation is the single most effective way to avoid delays in lost passport replacement.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Report immediately | Use the State Department's online form filler to cancel the passport within one business day. |
| Use DS-11 in person | Lost-passport replacement always requires Form DS-11 and an in-person appointment — no mail-in option. |
| Complete DS-64 fully | Missing details on DS-64 can pause your application and add weeks to processing time. |
| Plan for mail lag | Processing times are agency review only; add transit time in both directions for a realistic total wait. |
| Passportcenter for guidance | Use Passportcenter for checklists, processing-time updates, and referrals to vetted courier services. |
The mistake most people make when they lose their passport
Most applicants focus on the wrong thing first. They spend time searching for the passport, calling airlines, and worrying about their trip before they do the one thing that actually protects them: reporting the loss to the State Department.
The online form filler takes about five minutes. It cancels the passport within one business day and gives you a confirmation email. That confirmation is your proof that the document is no longer valid, which matters if the passport turns up in someone else's hands. Skipping this step, even by a few hours, leaves a valid travel document in circulation.
The second mistake is treating DS-64 as a formality. It's a sworn statement. The more specific you are about where, when, and how the passport was lost, the less likely the agency is to pause your DS-11 application and ask for more information. Vague answers are the most common reason applications stall.
My recommended sequence: report online first, then collect your citizenship evidence and ID, then book your appointment. If travel is within 14 days, book a regional agency appointment before you do anything else. The appointment slots fill up fast, and you cannot walk in.
Passportcenter makes the replacement process less stressful
Losing a passport is stressful. Figuring out which forms to file, which fees to pay, and whether you qualify for an emergency appointment adds to that stress fast.
Passportcenter is a free resource built specifically for this situation. The site provides step-by-step checklists for DS-11 and DS-64, up-to-date processing-time guidance, and plain-language explanations of every fee category. For travelers who need faster handling, Passportcenter connects you to vetted, registered passport courier services that specialize in expedited processing.
One important note: all official forms and government fees are handled through State Department channels. Passportcenter helps you plan, prepare, and connect with the right service, but your DS-11 and DS-64 go through the government, as they should.
Start with the Passportcenter passport resource hub to get your checklist, check current processing times, and find a courier if you need one.
Official sources to bookmark right now
These pages are essential for managing your replacement process, though fees and processing times may vary.
- Report a lost or stolen passport — State Department reporting page with the online form filler
- Form DS-64 (PDF) — Official Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport
- Form DS-11 instructions — Apply for an adult passport (first-time and lost-passport applicants)
- Current processing times — Updated weekly; check before booking any appointment
- Passport fees — Current application, execution, expedite, and delivery fees
- Lost passport abroad — Embassy and consulate procedures for overseas travelers
- U.S. embassy and consulate locator — Find the nearest U.S. mission if you're outside the country
This article provides general information about U.S. passport procedures. Confirm current fees, processing times, and eligibility rules directly with the State Department or a qualified professional before submitting your application.