What to Do If You Lost Your Passport While Traveling
Nothing gives me more quiet anxiety than the thought of losing my passport while traveling. Losing anything is frustrating when you travel, but your passport is really your lifeline that provides some safety, validates your identity, and brings you home so you don’t get stuck. Nobody wants to miss flights or shell out more money than they originally expected.
Make and keep copies
It is important to make copies of the first two pages of your passport and keep them with you when traveling. Wherever I went, I went with a passport, and my husband reminded me that this was a bad idea. So now I always carry a copy with me when I go out.
You can also take a clear photo of your passport, which you keep on your phone, as a pdf file. This is easier to do than storing it in film, where it is more difficult to find.
Use this app for help
ItsEasy app allows you to digitally submit your 2 “x 2” photo and required documents. ItsEasy will alert you to any changes or updates that are relevant to the case, including emergency information and the process for obtaining a new passport.
There is a special function called “Passport Loss Notification”. You will use this particular feature if you suddenly lose your passport in the US or abroad. Just press this button and the app will give you all the information on what to do next.
The app also shows you where the nearest embassy or consulate is located and is a registered and government approved agent for faster processing options.
State Department recommendation
The Department of State states that:
You should only report a lost or stolen U.S. passport if the original physical version of your passport book or passport card has been lost or stolen. If you report the loss or theft of your US passport, it will become invalid and cannot be used for international travel.
It is important to know that you have lost your passport for sure . If you’re sure you haven’t just lost it somewhere you can find it, follow these steps.
1. Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate.
2. Contact the Consular Section to report the loss of your passport.
If you are planning to leave another country in the near future, please inform the consular staff of the details of your trip. It is best to print out your travel itinerary for them to see.
3. You will need to find a place for a photo to take a new passport photo in order to receive a replacement or emergency passport.
Replacing your passport will cost you $ 110. The list of commissions is here . If you cannot afford to pay for a replacement, the Department of State offers two options:
- Provide the name and contact information of someone who can help you pay and they will be contacted.
- Request emergency financial assistance from the US Department of State.
If you receive financial assistance from the Department of State, you are automatically issued an emergency passport, which is only issued for temporary purposes, such as continuing your trip or returning to the United States. This passport will need to be converted into a full passport for future travel and you will need to return the money to the Department of State.