Introduction
If you lose your passport while traveling overseas, don’t panic! It happens to the best of us. If you know it’s been stolen or lost, call or write immediately to the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-900-225-5674 (TDD/TTY) or 202-955-0307 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday; visit www.travel.state.gov/passport; or write to Department of State, Washington, DC 20520-0001:
Please complete this statement as accurately and fully as possible and sign it under penalty of perjury (i.e., sign with your full name and print your name). You may also be asked to submit supporting documentation such as copies of hotel registers, airline tickets, etc., so please keep these available when you fill out the form(s).
Report the loss or theft of your passport to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
If you lose your passport while traveling overseas, report the loss or theft to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You should also contact them if someone steals your passport and uses it to travel abroad.
If you are in a foreign country, report your missing/stolen passport to both:
- The U.S. Embassy or Consulate in that country (usually located in its capital city). This may be different from an American embassy or consulate where you live in the United States!
- The local police station closest to where you lost it (if known).
Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-900-225-5674 (TDD/TTY) or 202-955-0307 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday; visit www.travel.state.gov/passport; or write to Department of State, Washington, D.C., 20520-0001.
In the event that you lose your passport while traveling overseas, you can take the following steps to find out how to replace it:
- Call the National Passport Information Center at 1-900-225-5674 (TDD/TTY) or 202-955-0307 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday; visit www.travel.state.gov/passport; or write to Department of State, Washington, D.C., 20520-0001.
If you have lost or had stolen any other travel documents such as visas or tickets for air travel and/or cruise ships, contact both local police authorities and consular officials at once for assistance.
In most cases, you will be asked to submit a “Statement in Lieu of Oath.” Please complete this statement as accurately and fully as possible and sign it under penalty of perjury (i.e., sign with your full name and print your name). You may also be asked to submit supporting documentation such as copies of hotel registers, airline tickets, etc., so please keep these available when you fill out the form(s).
If you lose your passport while traveling overseas, the best thing to do is contact the National Passport Information Center at 1-900-225-5674 (TDD/TTY) or 202-955-0307 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. They can help you find out what options are available and answer any questions that you may have about replacing your lost or stolen passport.
In most cases, travelers who lose their passports while abroad will need to submit a “Statement in Lieu of Oath.” Please complete this statement as accurately and fully as possible and sign it under penalty of perjury (i.e., sign with your full name and print your name). You may also be asked to submit supporting documentation such as copies of hotel registers, airline tickets etc., so please keep these available when filling out forms for replacement purposes if requested by the consular officer at Embassy/Consulate where replacement formality is being done
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some insight into what to do if you lose your passport while traveling abroad. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at anytime. We are here 24/7 and ready to help!
