Lost Passport Replacement For US Citizens
Published November 14, 2022
A passport is one of the most sought-after documents in the US, along with a driver’s license and birth certificate. After all, it has several uses, from being a valid ID to a necessity for travel and work.
Unfortunately, to get a passport, US citizens will have to wait for at least a month.
That’s why it can be infuriating to find out that you’ve lost your passport. The worst part is that a lost passport replacement is much more hassle than getting a passport for the first time.
With that in mind, read on as this guide helps you throughout the procedure.
Let’s start by going over the requirements for lost passport replacement.
What Do You Need For Lost Passport Replacement?
Before anything else, you must keep in mind that you will always be able to replace your lost passport. But of course, you need to have the requirements, the requirements being the following:
- A photograph that the agency will use for the passport
- Application fee
- A photo ID document
- Proof of US citizenship
- Expired US Passport
- US Birth Certificate
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- Personal information
If you recall, the requirements are pretty much the same as when you first got a passport.
That’s because a lost passport replacement is pretty much just two steps crammed into one.
The first step is when you report your lost passport so the agency can disable it. The second step is when you get a passport, just like what you did previously. Put simply, the process isn’t very different.
How To Apply For A Lost Passport Replacement
Once you have the requirements, the first step would be to report the lost passport so the agency can disable it. That way, if it falls into the wrong hands, it wouldn’t result in anything severe.
You generally have three ways to report a lost passport. You can do it via mail, phone, or online.
If you want to mail your report, you must fill up a DS-64 Form. After doing so, print it out, then mail it to the address mentioned in the form. If you want to do it by phone, call 1-877-487-2778.
Finally, if you want to do it online, which is preferable since it’s faster, here’s what you need to do:
- Visit this page.
- From that page, hover over to the Report Lost or Stolen option.
- A Submit button will appear below. Click that button.
- It’ll take you to the next page, where you can fill up a number of fields. Make sure you fill up each field with accurate information. Follow the onscreen instructions from that point onward.
Once you report the lost passport, it’s time to apply for a new one.
Unfortunately, you cannot do it online this time since a lost passport replacement requires you to be physically present at the passport center.
For that, you must book an appointment by calling them. You can find the contact details on this site.
If you are currently outside the US and want to get a replacement, then you have to contact the US Embassy in that country instead. This US Embassy search tool should come in handy.
During this particular stage, you must provide the requirements mentioned in the previous section.
To summarize, to apply for a lost passport replacement, you must first report your lost passport card. Afterward, you must apply for a passport normally, but you need to go to the agency personally.
How Long Does It Take To Replace A Lost Passport US?
It usually takes at least six weeks or one and a half months before you receive the passport.
If you’re getting a bit anxious due to an incoming trip, you can check the status of your application by going to this page. Here, you can type in your personal details to check your application status.
It’ll tell you whether it’s still being reviewed, it’s coming, or if you weren’t able to send the application in the first place. Keep in mind that you can only use this service two weeks after your application.
Otherwise, it may say that the agency has yet to receive your application.
How Much Is A Replacement Passport If Lost?
The price may vary depending on the recipient’s age, but it ranges from $135 to $165. The price may also depend on whether you’re getting a passport book on top of the passport card.
This site should explain how passport fees work in the United States in more detail.
What Happens If I Lose My Passport?
It may seem like you can get away scot-free from losing your passport, but you must understand that it has more consequences than one may initially think. Here are a few examples of these consequences:
- It’ll be difficult to fly back to the US. But keep in mind that it’s not going to be impossible.
- You may have to disable your bank accounts for a while. After all, the finder of your passport may exploit the personal and sensitive information shown in the document.
- There will be limitations to your new passports. For instance, rather than being valid for ten years, the new US passport you’ll receive may only be valid for just a single year.
The bottom line is while yes, a lost passport replacement is relatively simple for US citizens, especially with these guides, you should still be cautious. Not only will you have to pay a hefty amount for the initial cost, but the renewal cost every year can also add up.
Lost Your Birth Certificate? Request A Replacement Online
Instant Vital Records offers a birth certificate replacement service you can use from the comfort of your home. Enter your information and our software will automatically complete the required forms for your state. We print and mail your forms along with required payments to your state health department. You can trust that we take your personal information privacy and security seriously with HIPAA compliant data storage and data encryption. To get started, simply click here to begin your application. Your replacement documents will arrive by mail to your home within a few weeks.
About The Author
Lenard Arceo is an experienced blogger and writer who enjoys learning to code in his spare time. His commitment to delivering factual content is what has helped him create hundred of helpful articles that have reached millions of people.
