If you are in the United States when you discover your passport is missing, you will need to submit a formal statement to the Department of State to notify officials of the loss. This can be done over the phone or by submitting Form DS-64 (see Resources). Reports can be made over the phone Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
If you do not plan on immediately replacing your passport, you can submit Form DS-64 to the Department of State's office in Washington D.C. If you are replacing your missing passport, you must submit Form DS-64 with your passport application in person at a local passport acceptance facility. Once you notify officials of your missing passport, the passport will be canceled. A cancelled passport cannot be reinstated if you find it later. Cancellation of the passport prevents anyone else from falsely using your identity.
If you plan to apply for a replacement passport, you will need to fill out Form DS-11, which is the standard application for a U.S. passport. You will not be eligible to apply for a renewal. Bring Form DS-11 and the written affidavit on Form DS-64 to a local passport acceptance facility. You must apply in person if your previous passport was lost or stolen. In addition to the forms, you will need to bring proof of citizenship and identity, such as a birth certificate and government-issued driver's license. Two passport photos and applicable fees will also need to be submitted.
As of 2009, the processing fee is $75 and the facility's fee is $25. Check with your local passport acceptance facility or the Department of State website to determine current fees.
If you lose your passport while traveling or living abroad, you will not be able to leave the country until you obtain a new passport. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see Resources) to officially declare that your passport has been lost and needs to be replaced. Each office may have a different procedure for replacing lost passports, so it is vital to confirm the requirements and procedures of your local office. It is advisable to report your loss to the local police station to receive a police report since some Embassies or Consulates may require a report that indicates the loss. A written affidavit on From DS-64 may also be required
Processing times also vary among embassies and consulates, though expedited service may be offered for emergency situations. Ask the consular officials if they will be issuing you a limited- or full-validity passport. A standard passport application will need to be processed in the United States if you are issued a short-term, emergency passport.
