Can I replace my passport online or by mail?

No. You must apply in person at a US embassy or consulate. Online applications do not exist for lost passports. If you're abroad and your passport is lost, you have no choice but to visit the consulate.

What if I'm in a country with no US embassy?

Contact the nearest US embassy, even if it's in a neighboring country. You may need to travel there, or the embassy may send an officer to your location if there's an urgent situation. Call the nearest embassy first and ask for guidance. The State Department's travel.state.gov site lists every embassy and consulate worldwide.

Do I need to file a police report for a lost passport?

It depends on the country. Some countries require it for insurance purposes or to prove you reported the loss. The consulate can tell you the local requirement when you call. Even if it's not required, filing a report protects you in case someone uses your old passport fraudulently. You do not need a police report to replace your passport at the US consulate, but the consulate may ask if you filed one.

What if I don't have my birth certificate with me?

Call the consulate before you go. Some consulates will accept a certified photocopy, a notarized affidavit of birth, or other documents proving citizenship (old passports, naturalization papers, a certified copy from your home state's vital records office). A few consulates may allow you to have someone at home scan and email a certified copy, but this varies widely. Ask first, do not assume.

How much does it cost?

Standard replacement is $130, expedited is $170, and an emergency temporary passport is around $200. Payment is usually cash, credit card, or debit card. Some consulates accept wire transfers. Ask when you call which methods they accept. There are no additional fees beyond the base replacement cost.

Can the consulate mail my new passport to a friend's house or a hotel?

Most consulates will mail passports to any address you provide, but many prefer mailing to a residential address in the US, not international addresses or hotels. Some will only mail to your home address on file. Ask specifically when you apply. If mailing, expect 5-7 business days after the passport is printed. Do not rely on hotel mail service—use a friend's address or have mail forwarded to where you'll be.

What if someone has my old passport? Do I need to worry about identity theft?

Notify the consulate when you report the loss. They will flag the old passport as invalid in their system. A lost passport is useless for re-entry to the US after you've reported it—the system will block it at any port of entry. If you're worried about identity theft (not just travel), report it to the FTC at identitytheft.gov and monitor your credit reports. A passport alone cannot be used to open a bank account or create a credit card without additional identity documents.

Can I get a passport card instead of a book?

A passport card is smaller and cheaper ($100-130), but it's only valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. You cannot use it for air travel or travel to any other country. If you need to fly home from abroad, you need a passport book. Ask the consulate if you're unsure what you need.

What if my flight leaves before the passport is ready?

If you have a flight within 72 hours, ask about an emergency temporary passport. This is a special document valid for one trip home. It's more expensive (around $200) and only issued in genuine emergencies. You'll need proof of your flight. Do not book a flight you cannot keep—the consulate cannot guarantee same-day passports.

Do I need to renew my visa?

No. Your visa was stamped in your old passport, but your entry into the country is recorded with immigration. A new passport does not invalidate your visa or your legal presence in the country. Immigration records are separate from your physical passport. You can stay until your visa expires.

How to Replace a Lost US Passport While Abroad

Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate immediately to file a Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen US Passport (Form DS-11), then apply for an emergency replacement. The process typically takes 1-2 weeks and costs $130-170 depending on your location and urgency. You'll need your birth certificate or citizenship documentation, a photo ID, and passport photos.

Locate your nearest US embassy or consulate. Go to travel.state.gov/travel/cib/updates/updates_2387.html and search for your country. Write down the address, phone number, and emergency contact line. If you're in a country without a US embassy, contact the embassy in the nearest country. This is not optional—you cannot replace a passport at a bank or airport.
Call before you go. Call the consular section of the embassy or consulate. Tell them you've lost your passport and ask about their current processing times, required documents, and whether you need an appointment. Many embassies require appointments weeks in advance. Some offer same-day emergency services for around $200, but only in genuine emergencies (your flight is tomorrow). Be honest about your timeline.
Gather required documents. You need: (1) A government-issued photo ID (driver's license, national ID card, etc.), (2) Your birth certificate (original or certified copy), (3) Proof of US citizenship (old passport photos, naturalization papers, or certificate of citizenship), (4) A new passport photo (usually 2x2 inches, color, white background—the consulate can take one for $15-20 if you don't have one), (5) A completed DS-11 form (Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen US Passport). Download DS-11 from the State Department website before you go. If you don't have your birth certificate and it's not available abroad, some consulates will accept an affidavit.
File the DS-11 form. When you arrive at the consulate, file Form DS-11 with the consular officer. In this form, you'll describe the loss (when, where, how), and this becomes an official report. The consulate will keep one copy. Do not minimize the loss or be vague—they've heard every story. State facts. You'll pay the replacement fee at this appointment, usually $130 for a passport book (not a card) or $170 for expedited processing.
Provide biometric data and signature. The consulate will take new fingerprints and photograph you on the spot. You'll sign the application. This usually takes 5-10 minutes. The consular officer may ask you questions about the loss to verify your identity. Answer truthfully and directly.
Get a receipt and timeline. Before you leave, ask for a receipt with a case number and an estimated completion date. Ask if they can mail the passport to your current address (they usually can) or if you must return to pick it up in person. Most US embassies can mail passports within 5-7 business days once processing is complete. Do not assume anything—confirm in writing.
Plan your travel accordingly. Do not book return travel or onward travel until you have your replacement passport in hand. If the passport will be mailed to your current address, ensure someone is there to receive it or arrange mail forwarding. If you're moving hotels, provide a single, reliable address. Some consulates will only mail to a home address in the US, not to an international address. Confirm this when you apply.
If it's a true emergency, request an emergency passport. If you have a flight home within 72 hours and waiting is not an option, ask the consulate about an emergency temporary passport (also called a limited validity passport). This costs around $200 and is valid for one trip home only. You can only get this in genuine emergencies—not for missed connections you caused or poor planning. Have your airline information ready.

Can I replace my passport online or by mail?: No. You must apply in person at a US embassy or consulate. Online applications do not exist for lost passports. If you're abroad and your passport is lost, you have no choice but to visit the consulate.
What if I'm in a country with no US embassy?: Contact the nearest US embassy, even if it's in a neighboring country. You may need to travel there, or the embassy may send an officer to your location if there's an urgent situation. Call the nearest embassy first and ask for guidance. The State Department's travel.state.gov site lists every embassy and consulate worldwide.
Do I need to file a police report for a lost passport?: It depends on the country. Some countries require it for insurance purposes or to prove you reported the loss. The consulate can tell you the local requirement when you call. Even if it's not required, filing a report protects you in case someone uses your old passport fraudulently. You do not need a police report to replace your passport at the US consulate, but the consulate may ask if you filed one.
What if I don't have my birth certificate with me?: Call the consulate before you go. Some consulates will accept a certified photocopy, a notarized affidavit of birth, or other documents proving citizenship (old passports, naturalization papers, a certified copy from your home state's vital records office). A few consulates may allow you to have someone at home scan and email a certified copy, but this varies widely. Ask first, do not assume.
How much does it cost?: Standard replacement is $130, expedited is $170, and an emergency temporary passport is around $200. Payment is usually cash, credit card, or debit card. Some consulates accept wire transfers. Ask when you call which methods they accept. There are no additional fees beyond the base replacement cost.
Can the consulate mail my new passport to a friend's house or a hotel?: Most consulates will mail passports to any address you provide, but many prefer mailing to a residential address in the US, not international addresses or hotels. Some will only mail to your home address on file. Ask specifically when you apply. If mailing, expect 5-7 business days after the passport is printed. Do not rely on hotel mail service—use a friend's address or have mail forwarded to where you'll be.
What if someone has my old passport? Do I need to worry about identity theft?: Notify the consulate when you report the loss. They will flag the old passport as invalid in their system. A lost passport is useless for re-entry to the US after you've reported it—the system will block it at any port of entry. If you're worried about identity theft (not just travel), report it to the FTC at identitytheft.gov and monitor your credit reports. A passport alone cannot be used to open a bank account or create a credit card without additional identity documents.
Can I get a passport card instead of a book?: A passport card is smaller and cheaper ($100-130), but it's only valid for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. You cannot use it for air travel or travel to any other country. If you need to fly home from abroad, you need a passport book. Ask the consulate if you're unsure what you need.
What if my flight leaves before the passport is ready?: If you have a flight within 72 hours, ask about an emergency temporary passport. This is a special document valid for one trip home. It's more expensive (around $200) and only issued in genuine emergencies. You'll need proof of your flight. Do not book a flight you cannot keep—the consulate cannot guarantee same-day passports.
Do I need to renew my visa?: No. Your visa was stamped in your old passport, but your entry into the country is recorded with immigration. A new passport does not invalidate your visa or your legal presence in the country. Immigration records are separate from your physical passport. You can stay until your visa expires.