Two of the most common questions I receive around the passport process are how to get a replacement passport and how to get a child passport with one parent absent.

I will help you navigate how to replace a lost or stolen passport along with how to obtain a passport for a child if the other parent is absent.

Losing your passport is a frightening experience especially if it is lost while you are traveling out of the country.

The process of replacing a lost passport can be inconvenient and stressful, but it is something every traveler should know just in case.

I will guide you through the steps so you know how to replace a lost passport fast.

How to Replace a Lost Passport

You have a few options to replace a lost passport. How fast do you need a new passport?

If you are not traveling soon, you can visit your local post office or county clerk for routine processing.

Typical routine processing is 4-6 weeks. If you need your replacement passport sooner, you will need to expedite it.

How to Report Your Lost or Stolen Passport

Once you’ve searched your purse, pockets, hotel room, and backpack, and the reality sets in that your passport is really gone – the first thing you need to do is report your lost or stolen passport so that it can be canceled.

You can report your passport lost or stolen online, via phone by calling 1-877-487-2778, or by mail.

The quickest and most efficient way to cancel your passport is either online or by phone vs mail because your passport will be canceled immediately.

What to Do If You’ve Lost Your Passport Before a Trip?

After you have canceled your passport your very next step should be to apply for a new passport.

If you’re in the United States, you’ll need to use Form DS-11, which is specific to missing passports. This must be done in person at a passport acceptance facility (including some post offices), where documents are processed and then mailed to a passport office.

You can make an appointment online, but if you have travel plans within three weeks, it is better to go to a passport agency, which can handle the application on the spot or at least within a few days.

Expedited Processing for a Lost Passport

Step 1:  Make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency.

Step 2. If you are going to the Regional Passport Agency and you can get an appointment, make sure you have the required documents.

To make an appointment, check first for availability on the Online Appointment System. The date of your appointment must be within 3 business days of your international travel.

If you need a foreign visa, the date of your appointment must be within 10 business days of your international travel.

Because appointments are extremely limited, you may not be able to make one on your first try.

Consider the following alternate options if you cannot make an appointment online for Urgent Travel Service:

1. Continue to check the Online Appointment System several times during the day as other customers may cancel their appointments.
2. Apply for expedited service to receive your passport in 4-6 weeks.
3. Call wait times are longer than usual. If you call and try to make an appointment, understand that customer service representatives do not have access to an alternate reservation system. What you see online is what they will share with you by phone.

Expedite at an Acceptance Facility

Select this option if your international travel date is in the next 4 to 10 weeks. 

You must use Form DS-11 when applying at an acceptance facility. If you need to renew your passport, you should use Form DS-82 and mail it.

Here’s how you expedite at an acceptance facility: 

• Fill out your DS-11 application and collect your documents. See How to Apply to find the right form for you. 
• Be sure to include the $60 expedite fee in addition to the normal application fee. See Passport Fees for more information.
• Find the acceptance facility nearest you to turn in your application and fees. Contact the facility before arriving to determine if an appointment is required.
• Purchase USPS’ Priority Mail Express for faster shipping of your application to us.
• The expedite fee does not include the optional 1-2 day delivery fee of your completed passport.

What to Do If You’ve Lost Your Passport While In a Foreign Country

Same as above  – Immediately report the passport missing, then visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

You may have to travel to a different city within that country to locate the nearest embassy. To return to the United States, you must apply for and receive a new passport.

When visiting the embassy, bring a passport photo, government-issued identification (like a driver’s license), proof of U.S. citizenship (always, always have a photocopy of your passport and driver’s license when traveling out of the country), and your travel itinerary.

If you have lost both your passport and driver’s license and you don’t have a copy you will be up the creek without a paddle.

I recommend keeping photocopies of your documents somewhere you access.  I suggest printing two copies and keep one in your luggage and one copy on your person along with images on your phone and in your Google Drive.

Two forms must be completed for an in-person application overseas: DS-11 and DS-64. One of the forms includes a statement on the circumstances of how and where you lost your passport.

The following list identifies a number of documents/items you should take with you to the embassy/consulate.

Even if you are unable to present all of the documents, the consular staff will do their best to assist you to replace your passport quickly. 

Please provide:

• A Passport Photo (one photo is required; get it in advance to speed the process of replacing your passport)
• Identification (driver’s license, expired passport, etc.)
• Evidence of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, photocopy of your missing passport)
• Travel Itinerary (airline/train tickets)
• Police Report, if available
• DS-11 Application for Passport (may be completed at the time of application)
• DS-64 Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport (may be completed at the time of application)

Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport:

When you report the loss or theft of your passport, you must complete a statement describing the circumstances under which it was lost or stolen.

You can use the U.S. Department of State form DS-64 for this purpose. 

Police Report:

A police report is not mandatory but can help confirm the circumstances of the loss or theft.  I encourage you to report the loss or theft of your U.S. passport to the local police in the country where the loss or theft occurred.

However, don’t spend time obtaining a police report if doing so will cause you to miss a flight or delay your travel unreasonably.

The normal passport fees are collected from applicants for replacement passports.

How to Get a Passport with One Parent Absent

Getting a passport for a minor child when you are no longer married or are not in a relationship with the other parent is a concern for many parents. 

Depending on who is listed on the child’s birth certificate, you may be able to get a passport issued without the other parent’s participation.

When applying for a passport for a minor, both parents are usually required to appear in person along with the child.

Sometimes it is not possible for both parties to appear together.

Here are common scenarios to consider when applying for a passport for a child and what you can do if the scenario applies to your situation:

• Father is not listed on birth certificate: If the father is not listed on the birth certificate and no court order has been entered establishing paternity, you may be able to obtain the passport without the father’s consent or appearance. You should contact your local passport agency to be sure before appearing in person.
• Both parents listed on the birth certificate and agree to sign for the passport, but one party cannot appear in person to apply:
• If both parents agree to have the child’s passport issued, but one cannot appear in person to apply for the passport, the parent who cannot appear can execute a specific affidavit giving the other parent consent to apply for the passport in his/her absence.
• This affidavit is good for a limited period of time so as soon as the consent is signed, it is best to visit your local passport agency immediately, otherwise, you may need to have the other parent execute another consent form.
• Father is listed on the birth certificate but refuses to cooperate in obtaining a passport or cannot be found:
• If the father is listed on the birth certificate but does not agree to obtain a passport for the child or cannot be found, you may be able to obtain a court order that gives you the right to apply for the passport in his absence.
• If he cannot be found, there may also be a form you can submit when applying for the passport explaining the reasons why the father’s consent cannot be obtained.

If a parent refuses to sign a passport application, you may be able to get around it but you will have to hire an attorney. 

The law is clear and is designed to protect against international parental child abduction. 

What You Need to Apply for a Passport

How to Apply for a Passport

How to Expedite a Passport

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