What is the fastest way to replace a lost passport?

Book a U.S. passport agency appointment with proof of travel within 14 days — you'll walk out with a new passport same-day or next-day. Cost is $190 minimum. The slow path (mail-in DS-11) takes 4-6 weeks routine or 2-3 weeks expedited and requires an in-person trip to an acceptance facility regardless.

How to replace a lost passport?

Three steps: (1) Report it lost via Form DS-64 to invalidate the missing document — this protects you from identity theft. (2) Apply for a replacement using Form DS-11 in person at an acceptance facility, with proof of citizenship, ID, photo, and fees. (3) Wait for the new passport — 4-6 weeks routine, faster paid tiers available.

How long does it take to replace a lost passport?

Routine processing is 4-6 weeks. Expedited is 2-3 weeks (extra $60). Same-day or next-day at a passport agency requires proof of international travel within 14 days. The clock starts when State receives your application, not when you apply.

How much does it cost to replace a lost passport?

$165 minimum for a passport book ($130 application + $35 execution at the acceptance facility), or $225 if you add the $60 expedite. Card-only is $30 + $35. There's no extra charge for the replacement itself — it's the same fee as a new passport application.

What do I do if I lost my passport?

First, look one more time — they're usually with the last set of travel docs. If genuinely missing: report it lost on travel.state.gov using Form DS-64 (online takes 5 minutes), then apply for a replacement using DS-11 in person at an acceptance facility. The DS-64 invalidates the lost passport so anyone trying to use it gets blocked at the border.

What to do if your passport is lost abroad?

Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate immediately — search 'US embassy + city' for the address and emergency phone. They can issue an emergency limited-validity passport (often same-day for a flight home). You'll need to file a police report locally, complete DS-11 + DS-64 at the embassy, and pay the same $165+ fees in U.S. dollars or local currency.

How to report a lost passport?

File Form DS-64 — three options: (1) online at pptform.state.gov (fastest, 5 min); (2) by phone at 1-877-487-2778; (3) by mail to the address on the form. Reporting it invalidates the document; even if you find it later, it can't be used for travel and must be turned in when you get the replacement.

What if I find my passport after applying for a replacement?

You can't use the original anymore — the moment you filed DS-64, that book number was added to the State Department's invalidated list. CBP will reject it at the border. Hand the found passport to State during your DS-11 appointment (or mail it in) so they can punch it canceled and return it as a memento.

How to replace a lost or stolen U.S. passport

What to do when your passport goes missing — the DS-64 lost-passport report, the DS-11 replacement application, and emergency travel options.

TL;DR

Lost passport = two forms: DS-64 to report it lost (so it can’t be used by someone else), then DS-11 to apply for a replacement. Like a brand-new passport, the replacement requires an in-person appointment at an acceptance facility. Routine processing 4–6 weeks, expedited 2–3 weeks, or same-day at a passport agency if you have travel within 14 days.

If you’re abroad and lost it, go to the nearest U.S. embassy — they can issue an emergency passport same-day in most cases.

Step 0: Look one more time

Genuinely. The vast majority of “lost” passports turn up within 48 hours — usually in:

The pocket of the jacket you wore last
A drawer with old travel documents
The safe at the hotel from your last trip (yes, really — call them)
A laptop bag pocket you forgot about
Your spouse’s suitcase

Filing DS-64 invalidates the passport permanently — even if you find it the next day, it’s dead. Spend 30 minutes searching first.

Step 1: Report it lost (Form DS-64)

Once you’re confident it’s gone, file Form DS-64 to add your passport to the State Department’s invalidated list. This protects you from:

Identity theft (someone else can’t use your passport for fraud)
Border issues (if a thief tries to enter the US on your book, it gets flagged)
Visa complications (foreign embassies check the validity database)

Three filing options:

Method	Where	Speed
Online	pptform.state.gov	5 minutes
Phone	1-877-487-2778	10–30 min wait
Mail	Address on the printed DS-64 form	Slowest

Online is the right choice for nearly everyone. You’ll need:

Your name as it appeared on the lost passport
Date of birth
Approximate issue date
Passport book number (if you have a photocopy or photo of the data page — keep one in cloud storage)

If you don’t know the book number, that’s okay — the system can still process the report based on identity match.

Step 2: Apply for the replacement (Form DS-11)

Lost passports always require DS-11 — the in-person new-passport form. You can’t use DS-82 (the mail-in renewal) for a lost book, no exceptions.

What you need:

Form DS-11 (don’t sign it — you’ll sign at the appointment)
Citizenship evidence:
- Certified birth certificate WITH RAISED SEAL (not a hospital “souvenir” certificate)
- OR naturalization certificate
- OR Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Photo ID (driver’s license, military ID, government employee ID)
One 2×2 passport photo (white background, taken in last 6 months)
Form DS-64 (lost-passport report — submit a copy with the DS-11 even if you filed DS-64 separately)
Fees: $165 minimum for a book

Acceptance facilities are mostly post offices, libraries, and courthouses. Find one at iafdb.travel.state.gov. Many require an appointment — call ahead.

Step 3: Choose your speed

Path	Processing time	Total cost (book)	Where
Routine	4–6 weeks	$165	Acceptance facility
Expedited	2–3 weeks	$225	Acceptance facility
Passport agency (same/next day)	24–72 hours	$244	One of 26 passport agencies

For agency-level urgency, you must show proof of international travel within 14 days. See the emergency passport guide for the full agency process.

Special case: lost passport abroad

If you’re outside the U.S. when your passport disappears:

File a police report with local authorities — the embassy will ask for it.
Locate the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at usembassy.gov. Every country has at least one.
Call ahead if your travel is within 24 hours — most embassies have an after-hours emergency line.
Bring what you have: any ID, the police report, a photo if you can get one printed locally, and payment.
Embassy options:
- Emergency passport (limited validity, usually 1 year — gets you home and to the nearest acceptance facility for a full replacement)
- Full 10-year replacement (takes longer; only if you’re not in a rush)

Cost is the same $165–$225 in U.S. dollars or local-currency equivalent. Embassies process emergency replacements in 24 hours or less for genuine travel emergencies.

When you get home, you’ll typically need to go through the standard DS-11 process to get a full-validity book.

Common pitfalls

Filing DS-64 before you’re sure it’s gone. Once filed, the passport is dead even if it turns up. Spend the search time first.
Trying to use DS-82. Lost = DS-11, in person, no exceptions.
Hospital birth certificate as citizenship evidence. It must be the certified state/county version with raised seal, not the souvenir keepsake.
Underestimating acceptance-facility availability. Many require appointments booked 2–3 weeks out. Call early.
Photo from the wrong setting. Same passport photo rules as new applications: 2×2, white background, no glasses, taken in the last 6 months.
Bringing the family without checking facility rules. Some acceptance facilities are tight on space; check whether spouses/kids need to step out.
Forgetting the DS-64 confirmation. Print it; bring a copy to the DS-11 appointment.

Our process — what each tier gets you for a lost passport

Smart Choice — $89 + government fees

We file your DS-64 immediately (within minutes of payment)
Pre-fill DS-11 from your data
Photo validation, complete printable package
We tell you exactly which acceptance facility to use and what to bring
Best for: travel 6+ weeks out

Fast Track — $129 + government fees

Everything in Smart, plus we bundle the $60 expedite
Priority handling on our end (file reviewed within 4 hours)
Best for: travel 3-6 weeks out

Premier 2-Week — $350 + government fees

Dedicated agent
We coordinate the acceptance-facility appointment for you
FedEx-tracked everything; status monitoring through delivery
Best for: travel 2-3 weeks out

48-Hour Emergency — $500 + government fees

Same-day DS-64 filing
Passport agency appointment booked on your behalf (often within 24h when retail is sold out)
Walk-through call; we hand-prepare every document
Best for: travel within 14 days (especially within 72 hours)

All tiers include filing the DS-64 for you (free of charge) so the lost book is invalidated within minutes — your top identity-theft risk closes immediately.

Refund policy in plain English

24-hour no-questions-asked refund of our service fee.
After 24 hours, we’ve already filed your DS-64 and prepared your replacement application — fee is non-refundable.
Government fees ($165 / $225) go to the State Department. Once paid (at your acceptance-facility appointment), they’re not recoverable through us.

Full details on the refund policy page.

What if I find my passport after replacing it?

It’s permanently invalid. Don’t try to use it for travel — CBP and foreign border control check the State Department invalidated list at the gate, and presenting an invalidated passport gets you pulled into secondary screening fast.

What to do with the found book:

Take it to your DS-11 appointment so the agent can punch-cancel it on the spot, or
Mail it to the State Department lockbox along with your application, or
Once you have the new passport in hand, hole-punch the data page yourself and keep the cancelled book as a souvenir (this is allowed — it’s just not a legal travel document anymore).

The book number itself is now retired and won’t be reused.