Lost and stolen passports should be reported immediately to the Department of State. If you are in the United States when the loss occurs, you can reach the Department of State by calling 877-487-2778 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Once the passport has been reported lost or stolen, it will be invalidated and you will not be permitted to use it should you find it after reporting the loss.
You can also report a lost or stolen passport by completing Form DS-64: Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport. This form can be downloaded from the Department of State website (see Resources). If you don't plan on applying for a new passport immediately, Form DS-64 can be returned to the Department of State by mail. If you do need a new passport, the form must be submitted along with Form DS-11.
A new passport can be obtained by completing Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport. You will need to supply proof of U.S. citizenship, proof of identity, appropriate fees and two recent color photographs when submitting the application. Photographs should be 2 inches wide and 2 inches high and provide a full-front view of your face on a white background.
Form DS-11 must be presented in person at a passport acceptance facility, such as a post office or local government office, and must be accompanied by Form DS-64. If you will be traveling soon, you may want to make an appointment at a regional passport agency for quicker service. You may make an appointment at a regional passport agency only if you will be traveling internationally in less than two weeks. A list of regional passport agencies can be found on the Department of State website (see Resources).
The nearest U.S. embassy or consulate can help you if your passport is lost or stolen while you are traveling abroad. You will be asked to complete Form DS-64 or a sworn affidavit regarding the details of the loss or theft. Before a new passport can be issued, the American Citizens Services unit must confirm that you previously held a passport and that you have not committed any crimes that would make you ineligible to receive a new passport.
Proof of identity is required to receive a new passport. Proving your identity may be difficult if you have been a victim of theft, but according to the Department of State, several methods may be used to prove identity. People traveling with you can serve as identifying witnesses, or family or friends in the United States may contact the embassy or consulate and confirm your identity. In some cases, the embassy or consulate may be able to obtain information from your previous passport from Overseas Citizens Services.
Once your identity has been confirmed, a replacement passport will be issued. In many cases, the new passport will expire in 10 years if you are an adult. If you have no money to pay for a replacement passport, the embassy or consulate will issue you a limited passport that expires in three months. When you return to the U.S., you can apply for an unlimited passport.
