To replace a lost or stolen US passport, report it right away, then apply in person with Form DS-11 as if you were a new applicant. A lost passport replacement costs $165 for an adult book ($130 plus a $35 acceptance fee), and routine processing takes 4 to 6 weeks plus mailing.
Losing a passport feels urgent, and it is, because a missing document is an identity theft risk and a canceled passport can’t be used for travel even if you find it later. The fix has two parts: cancel the lost passport, then apply for a new one. This guide covers both, with the forms, the fees, the timeline, and what changes if the passport is lost abroad, lost in the mail or damaged by a disaster. The rules come from State Department pages on lost or stolen passports (updated May 12, 2026), passports lost abroad (updated September 25, 2025) and disaster replacement (updated May 4, 2026). For the general overview of passports, start with our US passport guide.
What Should You Do First When Your Passport Is Lost or Stolen?
Report it right away, because reporting cancels the passport and limits the risk of identity theft. A report does not replace the passport. You still need a new application.
Report only a valid passport. The State Department says not to report an expired passport as lost or stolen. Once a passport is canceled, it can’t be used for travel, even if you find it afterward. Report it only if the physical document is missing. If only your passport number was exposed, the State Department says a number alone can’t be used for travel, so reporting is not needed.
You have three ways to report:
- Online with the State Department form filler. The passport is canceled within 1 business day and you get a confirmation email.
- By mail with Form DS-64, filled out online, then printed, signed and sent with a photocopy of the front and back of a photo ID such as a driver’s license. This takes several weeks.
- On Form DS-11 while applying for the new passport. Cancellation may take several weeks, so use the online form if you want immediate cancellation.
If you need the passport canceled fast, report online first, then apply.
How Do You Get a Lost Passport Replacement in the US?
Apply in person with Form DS-11 at an acceptance facility, bring proof of citizenship and a photo ID, and include details about the loss. The process matches a first-time application.
- Report the passport lost or stolen online, or plan to report it on DS-11.
- Complete Form DS-11 with the online form filler and print it single-sided. Do not sign it until the agent tells you to.
- Gather proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate, and a photo ID, each with a photocopy.
- Get one passport photo that follows the rules.
- Write down details about your most recent passport, including where and when it was lost or stolen.
- Bring a copy of the police report if you filed one.
- Pay the State Department fee by check or money order, and the $35 acceptance fee to the facility.
Incomplete information about the loss can pause your application and lead to a request for Form DS-64. Take your time on that part of the form. Our passport application guide lists every document, and the passport photo requirements guide explains the photo.
Which Replacement Route Fits Your Situation?
Your route depends on where and how the passport was lost. The table compares the common cases.
| Situation | Form | Where to apply | Key point |
| Lost or stolen in the US | DS-11, plus DS-64 if needed | In person at an acceptance facility | Report first; pay normal fees |
| Lost or stolen abroad | DS-11 | US embassy or consulate, in person | Often issued the next business day |
| Lost in the mail | DS-86 | Call 877-487-2778 | Within 120 days of issuance |
| Damaged beyond normal wear | DS-11 | In person | Not eligible for mail renewal |
| Lost in a listed disaster | DS-5504 and DS-64 | By mail or agency appointment | Fees may be waived |
| Found after you reported it | None | Mail it to the State Department | The passport stays canceled |
How Much Does a Lost Passport Replacement Cost?
A replacement for a lost adult passport book costs $165, which is $130 to the State Department plus the $35 acceptance fee. The State Department treats it as a new DS-11 application, so the usual fees apply.
- Adult book: $130, plus $35 acceptance fee.
- Adult card: $30. Book and card: $160. Each plus $35.
- Child book: $100. Child card: $15. Both: $115. Each plus $35.
- Expedited service: $60.
- 1 to 3 day return delivery: $26.87.
The fee page doesn’t list a separate replacement fee. A replacement for a lost adult book with expedited service and faster delivery comes to $251.87. Costs for photos, copies and a money order are extra. Our guide on how much a passport costs covers every case.
How Long Does a Lost Passport Replacement Take?
Routine processing takes 4 to 6 weeks and expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, with mailing time on top. Count up to 2 weeks to reach the State Department and up to 2 weeks to get the passport back.
That puts a routine replacement near 10 weeks at worst and an expedited one near 7 weeks. If you travel in less than 3 weeks, make an appointment at a passport agency. The State Department requires proof of international travel within 14 calendar days for urgent appointments. For a life-or-death emergency, travel within 2 weeks and the right documents are required. Our guide on how long it takes to get a passport explains each option, and you can follow the file with the passport application status tool.
What If Your Passport Is Lost or Stolen Abroad?
Report it, then contact the nearest US embassy or consulate and appear in person. In most cases a replacement passport is issued the next business day.
Most embassies and consulates can’t issue passports on weekends or holidays, though after-hours duty officers handle life-or-death emergencies and urgent travel or crime situations. Bring as much as you can:
- One passport photo, 2 by 2 inches (5 by 5 cm).
- Identification, such as a driver’s license or an expired passport.
- Proof of US citizenship, such as a birth certificate or a photocopy of the lost passport.
- Your travel itinerary from airline or train tickets.
- Form DS-11, with details of where and when the passport was lost or stolen, plus a police report copy if you have one.
- Payment for the fees.
A police report is not mandatory, but it can help confirm the circumstances. Staff will try to help even if you can’t bring every document. If there isn’t time for a regular passport, you may get an emergency passport that may be valid for up to 1 year, and limited-validity passports can be exchanged for full-validity ones after the trip. Emergency financial assistance may be available if you can’t pay, and a free file search may be possible if you can’t show proof of citizenship. Replacement passports generally cost the same as any other passport.
What If Your Passport Was Lost in the Mail?
Check the online status system first, and if more than 2 weeks have passed since the passport was mailed, call 877-487-2778 for help with Form DS-86. Form DS-86 must be completed within 120 days of issuance.
After 120 days from issuance, you must reapply and pay all fees for a passport lost in the mail. Deaf or hard-of-hearing callers can use 888-874-7793. Keep your tracking details and application date ready. Replacing a passport lost in the mail is different from replacing one you lost yourself, so tell the agent exactly how it went missing.
Can You Use a Passport After You Report It Lost?
No. A canceled passport can’t be used for travel, even if you find it later. The State Department asks you to mail a found passport, in a sturdy envelope, to its processing center in Sterling, Virginia.
If a relative has died, you can submit their valid passport with a certified death certificate and a letter requesting cancellation and return or destruction. Don’t plan to travel on a passport you reported as lost, because it is canceled.
Can You Replace a Passport for Free After a Disaster?
If your passport was lost or damaged in a federally designated disaster listed by the State Department, the application and file search fees may be waived. You need to meet the listed dates and conditions.
You don’t qualify if you have never had a passport, lost an expired passport or were affected by an event not on the list. Damage counts when it is more than normal wear, such as stains, mold, significant tears, unofficial markings, missing visa pages or a hole punch. You need Form DS-5504, a new passport photo and Form DS-64 with the disaster name, loss address, approximate loss date and a statement that other sources won’t reimburse the fees.
If you travel in more than 3 weeks, mail the forms and photo to the address on page 2 of Form DS-5504. If you travel in less than 3 weeks, do not mail the application and make an appointment at a passport agency or center within 2 weeks of travel. The application fee waiver lasts 3 years after the disaster, and the file search fee waiver lasts 18 months.
How Can You Protect Yourself After Losing a Passport?
Report it first, keep records of what you submitted, and watch for signs of identity theft. A lost passport carries your name, date of birth and photo.
- Report the loss online the same day you notice it.
- Keep a copy of your application, check and tracking details.
- If a police report exists, keep a copy for your file.
- Store the new passport in a cool, dry place and sign it when it arrives.
- If you use Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI, update your account with the new passport number and dates.
For help with a stuck application, see the State Department’s lost or stolen passport page.
FAQs
How do I replace a lost passport?
Report it lost, then apply in person with Form DS-11 at an acceptance facility. Bring proof of citizenship, a photo ID, a photo and payment.
How much does it cost to replace a lost passport?
An adult book costs $165, which is $130 plus the $35 acceptance fee. Expedited service adds $60.
Can I renew a lost passport online or by mail?
No. A replacement requires a new in-person application with Form DS-11. Mail and online renewal are only for passports you still hold.
What should I do if my passport is lost abroad?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate and appear in person. A replacement is usually issued the next business day.
How long does a lost passport replacement take?
Routine processing takes 4 to 6 weeks and expedited takes 2 to 3 weeks. Mailing adds up to 2 weeks each way.
Can I use my passport if I find it after reporting it lost?
No. Once canceled, it can’t be used for travel. Mail it to the State Department’s processing center in Sterling, Virginia.
Do I need a police report for a lost passport?
A police report is optional but helpful. If you have one, include a copy with your application to confirm the loss.
Conclusion
For a lost passport replacement, report the loss online on day one, then apply in person with Form DS-11 and the usual $165 for an adult book. Plan for 4 to 6 weeks plus mailing, or use an agency appointment if you fly within 14 days. If you are abroad, go straight to the nearest embassy or consulate.
