How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport
Report the loss right away, online or by phone. Then apply in person with Form DS-11US Passport Application — The form for first-time passports, minors, and anyone not eligible to renew by mail. Filed in person.Click for official info ↗ plus Form DS-64. Once you report a passport as lost or stolen, it is cancelled. No one can use it after that.
At a glance
- Cost:
- $165 (same as new passport)
- Total time:
- 4–6 weeks routine
- Steps:
- 6 steps
- Where to apply:
- travel.state.gov
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official US sources(October 2026).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 15 min
Report it lost or stolen immediately
Report it online at travel.state.gov or call 1-877-487-2778. Once you report it, the passport is cancelled for good. You cannot use it again, even if you find it later.
Click to mark as done
- Before You Go 10 min
Check if you can renew by mail instead
If your old passport has just expired and you still have it, you may renew by mail with Form DS-82. This is faster and you do not need to go in person. If your passport is LOST, you must always apply in person with Form DS-11.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 30 min
Complete DS-11 and DS-64
Fill out both forms. Form DS-64 asks when and where you lost your passport. Your answers can be about right if you do not know the exact details. Sign Form DS-11 only at the acceptance facility.
Click to mark as done
- Go 1 hour
Apply in person at an acceptance facility
Go to a post office or library that takes passport applications. Bring proof of citizenship, your photo, both forms, and payment. If you are outside the US, go to the nearest US embassy or consulate instead.
Click to mark as done
- Wait 4–6 weeks
Wait for the replacement
Routine service takes 4–6 weeks. Add up to 2 weeks for mail each way. Faster service takes 2–3 weeks for +$60. Do you need to travel in the next 14 days? Make an appointment at a regional passport agency.
Click to mark as done
- Receive —
Receive your new passport
You will get a new number and a new book. Update any visas linked to your old passport number. Also update your Global Entry/TSA PreCheck profiles.
Click to mark as done
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Waiting to report it. Report it right away online at travel.state.gov or by calling 1-877-487-2778. Once you report it, the passport is cancelled for good.
Trying to use it after you found it. Once you report it, it is cancelled in the system. It will be flagged at borders. Destroy it or mail it to the State Department with a note.
Trying to replace it by mail. If your passport is lost, you must always apply in person with Form DS-11. You cannot replace a lost passport by mail with Form DS-82US Passport Renewal Application — The form for renewing a passport by mail. Only for adults whose current passport is undamaged and issued within the last 15 years.Click for official info ↗.
Signing Form DS-11 at home. Sign Form DS-11 only at the acceptance facility.
Forgetting to update linked records. You will get a new number and a new book. Update any visas linked to your old passport number. Also update your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck profiles.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
I found my passport after reporting it lost. Can I use it?
No. Once you report it, it is cancelled in the system. It will be flagged at borders. Destroy it or mail it to the State Department with a note.
What if my passport is lost/stolen while abroad?
Go to the nearest US embassy or consulate. They can give you an emergency passport with limited validity within 24–72 hours so you can travel home. File a local police report too. Some countries ask for it when you leave.
Will a lost passport delay my replacement?
Not usually. The process is the same as a first-time application. Your DS-64 statement takes the place of the old passport in your record.
Which forms do I need — DS-11, DS-64, or both?
You need both. Form DS-64 is the statement that explains how you lost your passport or how it was stolen. Form DS-11 is the application for the new passport. Hand them in together in person. You cannot replace a lost passport by mail with Form DS-82.
How much does a lost passport replacement cost?
It costs the same as a new adult passport book. You pay a $130 application fee plus a $35 execution fee ($165 total). The DS-64 loss statement is free. You do not get the fees back, even if you find your passport later.
How fast can I get the replacement?
Routine service takes 4–6 weeks, plus time for mail. Faster service costs an extra $60 and takes 2–3 weeks. If you travel within 14 days, book an urgent-travel appointment at a passport agency. For a life-or-death emergency within 3 days, call the National Passport Information Center for an emergency appointment.
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