What to Do if You Lose Your Passport

Of all the belongings a traveler can lose, a missing passport often causes the biggest problem. Many people forget their passport in their hotel or at the airport because it’s not something they normally carry on their person like a cell phone or wallet. However, while dealing with a lost passport can be an aggravating and difficult task, it is not impossible.

Preventive Measures

Before you leave home, take a few minutes to prepare for the worst. Take digital photos or a photocopy of your passport in advance, and store it in a separate compartment in your luggage. Also, make sure to bring proof of U.S. citizenship (a photocopy of a birth certificate), a photo ID and a replacement passport photo, as these are all needed to replace the passport. Knowing where the nearest U.S. Embassy is located and how to contact it is another smart move.

Report It Immediately

If your passport is lost, don’t hesitate to let the proper authorities know. To prevent someone else from using it, go to the U.S. Passports and International Travel website or call their lost passports hotline.

Where to Get a Replacement

Typically the only place to get a passport when abroad is at an U.S. Embassy or Consulate. While there is only one embassy per country, there are generally multiple consulates spread throughout the different cities of the country. Getting a new passport takes about 24 hours, and there is usually a small fee.