What to do if you lose your passport while traveling abroad

Before we go through the process of a new temporary passport, to be safe we recommend having a photocopy or a digital copy of passport which may help to handle the situation in a better way. Also when traveling abroad it is advisable to keep passport size photo as well as any other identity proof in the bag.

Below is the process to follow if you have lost your passport.

1. Find and contact the nearest embassy or consulate.

You'll need to report your lost or stolen passport to the consular section specifically. The contact information for consulates and embassies around the world can be found on the department’ website.

2. If your passport has been stolen, file a police report.

If in case your passport is stolen, file a complaint. It is not a compulsory step but it will help you to prove that your passport is stolen. 

3. Take a new passport photo.

If you have the passport size photo then take some along with you, and if you do not have kindly arrange some before you visit consulate. This will help you to speed up the process.

4. Fill the application.

At the consulate or embassy, some formalities are there according to the process of different countries. Your nearest embassy can issue an emergency certificate in the event of passport loss, but most of them require a police state to keep the copy of it. The application consists of a request for a new passport as well as the report of the stolen or the lost passport. The application form help protects yourself against identity theft and to prevent someone else from using the passport.

5. Call before visiting

Due to the time zone difference, the officials may not be available every time. It is always best to inquire the time, also major consulates have the appointment system. It is best to take appointment before visiting to save your time.

6. Visit the embassy and obtain a new passport

Below is the list of documents which might be needed.

Your passport photo (Make sure it is according to the embassy standard)

Some type of identification such as a license

Some type of travel itinerary or ticket

Evidence of citizenship (photocopy of your missing passport)

The application form and statement of lost passport.

7. Everything has its price

Unless you've been a victim of a disaster or serious crime, you'll be expected to pay the normal passport fee for your replacement passport. If it a natural calamity or disaster or any emergency situation the home government announces free replacements. 

8. Wait till it arrives

If you are planning to travel your home country immediately, then clear that, the embassy may issue an emergency passport Otherwise, it can take a few days to get a new passport depending on the country you're in since it'll have to be shipped from the home country.

9. Other things to keep in mind when replacing your passport:

While replacement passports are usually valid for ten years for adults and five years for minors, if it is a limited-validity, emergency passport (that means you are leaving the country almost immediately), then you'll need to turn in your emergency passport once you're back in the home country in order to receive a full-validity passport.

Consulates or embassies can't issue passports on weekends or holidays.