How to Replace a Lost or Stolen UK Passport
Report the loss first, online or by phone. This cancels the passport. Then apply for a replacement online. A replacement costs the same as a renewal. But it can take longer because of extra identity checks. You also need a countersignatory if the passport was lost or stolen.
At a glance
- Cost:
- £102 online adult (2026 fee)
- Total time:
- Usually within 3 weeks; longer if extra checks are needed
- Steps:
- 6 steps
- Where to apply:
- gov.uk
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 UK sources(October 2026).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 10 min
Report the passport lost or stolen immediately
Report it online at gov.uk. Or call 0300 790 6609. Once you report it, the passport is cancelled. This protects you if someone tries to use your identity. If it was stolen abroad, also report it to the local police. Get a crime reference number for your insurance.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare 30 min
Apply online for a replacement
Use the standard online application at gov.uk. You will need a new digital photo. You will also need details of the loss. The fee is the same as a renewal: £102 for adults, £66.50 for children (fees from 8 April 2026).
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare
Arrange a countersignatory
This is different from a routine renewal. For a lost or stolen passport, you need a countersignatory. This person must have known you for 2+ years. They must hold a British or Irish passport. They must not be a relative or your partner. They confirm your identity and your photo. If you apply online, they do this digitally.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay
Post any requested documents
HMPO may ask you to post your naturalisation certificate or birth certificate. The form tells you exactly what you need to send. Only send originals if the form asks for them. If you apply from abroad, include a return envelope.
Click to mark as done
- Wait Usually within 3 weeks
Wait for the replacement
A replacement can take longer than a renewal. This is because of extra identity checks. HMPO says you will usually get your passport within 3 weeks of the day it gets your documents. It will also tell you within 3 weeks if it needs more information. You can track your application online. If you need to travel urgently, the 1-week Fast Track service covers lost or stolen replacements. Apply and book your appointment online.
Click to mark as done
- Receive
Check travel rules if your visa was in the old passport
Your old passport may have held a visa or residence permit from another country. That country decides if the visa still counts. Contact its embassy before you travel. Some countries ask you to carry both passports. Others ask you to transfer the visa.
Click to mark as done
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Trying to use a passport after you reported it. Once you report a passport, it is cancelled for good. It will be flagged at every border. Destroy it or return it to HMPOHis Majesty's Passport Office — The agency that issues and renews UK passports.Click for official info ↗. A cancelled passport is no longer valid. It can be taken from you if you show it at a border.
Applying without a countersignatory. This is different from a routine renewal. For a lost or stolen passport, you need a countersignatory. This person must have known you for 2 or more years. They must hold a British or Irish passport. They must not be a relative or your partner. They confirm your identity and your photo.
Expecting renewal speed. A replacement can take longer than a renewal. This is because of extra identity checks. HMPO says you will usually get your passport within 3 weeks of the day it gets your documents. If you need to travel urgently, the 1-week Fast Track service covers lost or stolen replacements.
Assuming a visa in the old passport still counts. Your old passport may have held a visa or residence permit from another country. That country decides if the visa still counts. Contact its embassy before you travel. Some countries ask you to carry both passports. Others ask you to transfer the visa.
Waiting to report the loss, or skipping the police report. Report it online at gov.uk, or call 0300 790 6609, as soon as you can. Once you report it, the passport is cancelled. This protects you if someone tries to use your identity. If it was stolen abroad, also report it to the local police, and get a crime reference number for your insurance.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Someone found my passport after I reported it. Can I use it again?
No. Once you report a passport, it is cancelled for good. It will be flagged at every border. Destroy it or return it to HMPO. A cancelled passport is no longer valid. It can be taken from you if you show it at a border.
I lost my passport abroad and need to fly home urgently.
Contact the nearest British embassy, high commission, or consulate. They can give you an emergency travel document. It is valid for a single journey back to the UK. It is usually ready within 2 working days. You need a police report, a passport photo, and proof of travel. You also need to pay the £125 fee.
Will a lost passport affect my next application?
Not usually. One loss is normal. If you lose passports more than once, it can lead to extra identity checks and longer processing. Keep a note of your passport number somewhere safe. This helps you report a loss quickly.
How do I report a lost or stolen UK passport?
Report it online through the gov.uk 'Report a lost or stolen passport' service. Or report it by phone. Reporting cancels the passport straight away, so no one can misuse it. Do this before you apply for the replacement. You will need the report reference.
Does a replacement cost more than a renewal?
No. Replacing a lost or stolen passport costs the same as a standard renewal. It is £102 online for an adult. The difference is the time it takes. Replacements can take longer because of extra identity checks. A straightforward renewal usually takes within 3 weeks.
My passport was stolen. Should I report it to the police?
Yes. Report the theft to the local police and get a crime reference number. If it happened abroad, report it to the local police there. Cancelling the passport stops someone using it to travel. A police report also protects you if your identity details are used for fraud.
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