So Your Passport Was Stolen or Lost: Now What?
Report the loss to local police immediately to get a crime reference number, then visit the nearest embassy or consulate of your home country. You will need to apply for an emergency travel document or a replacement passport to legally leave the country.
- Budget
- $150-$250 total for administrative and emergency travel costs
- Duration
- 1-3 days depending on embassy processing times
- Best Time
- Any time, though processing is slower during public holidays
- Visa Required
- Yes; replacement of travel documents is mandatory to exit any country
Step by step
File a police report
Go to the nearest local police station and report the document lost or stolen. Demand a written report or a crime reference number. You will need this for both your embassy application and your travel insurance claim.
Contact your embassy or consulate
Search for your home country's embassy in the capital city or the nearest consulate. Call them immediately to explain the situation; they will tell you if you need an appointment or if you can walk in for emergency services.
Gather your documentation
Bring the police report, a copy of your lost passport (digital copies on your phone count), a passport-sized photo (many embassies have photo booths, but don't count on them), and proof of your upcoming travel, such as a flight itinerary.
Apply for an emergency document
Fill out the application forms provided at the embassy. This is usually an 'Emergency Travel Document' or a 'Limited Validity Passport,' which allows you to return home or finish your trip.
Questions people ask
Can I fly home without a passport?
No. Airlines will not allow you to board without a valid travel document. You must obtain an emergency document from your embassy.
What if I don't have a police report?
It is much harder to get a replacement quickly without one. Some embassies will accept a sworn affidavit, but the police report is the international standard for proving your document wasn't just 'misplaced' by you.
- Incidentals
- $50 for extra taxi fares or printing costs while running between offices.
- Photo Costs
- $10–$15 for passport photos if you don't have them.
- Emergency Fees
- Expect to pay $100–$165 USD for replacement fees, depending on your nationality.
Packing
- Digital scan of your passport saved in a secure cloud folder
- Two physical passport-sized photos kept in your carry-on luggage
- A paper photocopy of your passport kept in a separate bag from your actual passport
- Contact information for your country's local embassy