Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Passport Guide
What to do if your passport is lost, stolen, or damaged — from immediate reporting to getting a replacement fast.
Report It Immediately
A lost or stolen passport is a serious matter. It could be used for identity theft, fraud, or illegal travel. You must report it to the U.S. Department of State as soon as you discover it is missing.
Call the National Passport Information Center
1-877-487-2778
Monday-Friday: 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM ET | Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM ET
You can also report a lost or stolen passport online by submitting Form DS-64 through the State Department's website. Reporting your passport as lost or stolen invalidates it immediately — even if you find it later, it cannot be used for travel.
Why Reporting Matters
- Prevents someone from using your passport for illegal travel
- Protects you from identity theft and fraud
- Is required before you can receive a replacement passport
- Helps the State Department track lost and stolen documents
How to Replace a Lost Passport
Replacing a lost passport requires the same process as a first-time application. You must apply in person using Form DS-11 at an acceptance facility, plus submit Form DS-64 to report the loss.
Report the Loss
Call 1-877-487-2778 or submit Form DS-64 online. Your passport is immediately invalidated.
Complete Form DS-11
Fill out a new application as if you were a first-time applicant. Do not sign it until you are at the acceptance facility.
Attach Form DS-64
Include the Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport with your DS-11 application.
Gather Documents
You need proof of citizenship (birth certificate or naturalization certificate), photo ID, photocopy of ID, and a new passport photo.
Visit an Acceptance Facility
Make an appointment, bring all documents, and pay the fees. The agent will process your replacement application.
Tip: If you have a photocopy of your lost passport (the information page), bring it to your appointment. While not required, it can help speed up the verification process.
Stolen Passport
If your passport was stolen, report it immediately. In addition to contacting the State Department, you should consider filing a police report, especially if the theft occurred in the United States.
A police report is not required for a replacement passport, but it can be helpful if:
- Your passport was stolen along with other identifying documents
- You need documentation for insurance or credit monitoring services
- You want a record in case of future identity theft issues
The replacement process for a stolen passport is the same as for a lost passport: submit Form DS-64 and apply in person using Form DS-11 with all required documents.
Damaged Passport
A damaged passport may not be accepted for travel, and you cannot renew it by mail. You must apply in person using Form DS-11. The State Department considers a passport "damaged" if:
- Water damage has made the ink run or pages illegible
- Pages are torn, missing, or significantly worn
- The cover has separated from the binding
- There are unauthorized markings or changes
- The chip (in e-passports) is not functioning
Normal wear and tear (slight bending of the cover, minor creases) does not usually disqualify a passport. If you are unsure whether your passport is too damaged, it is safer to replace it before traveling.
Do not attempt to repair a damaged passport. Using tape, glue, or any other method to fix it may invalidate it. Apply for a replacement instead.
Need a Replacement Urgently?
If you are traveling soon and need a replacement passport quickly, you have the same expedited options as a first-time applicant: