By A missing passport can change the rest of an overseas trip. For a US citizen, the essential steps are to report a valid passport lost or stolen, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, and apply there in person for a replacement. You need a new passport before returning to the United States. Reporting the loss alone does not replace the document. The US Department of State explains the overseas replacement process.
Report the loss and understand what cancellation means
Report a valid passport lost or stolen promptly. The State Department says its online reporting process cancels the passport within one business day and sends a confirmation email afterward. Once reported, that passport cannot be used for international travel—even if it turns up in a coat pocket later. Reporting by mail or during a replacement application is also possible, but those methods can take longer to cancel the document. Do not report an expired passport as lost or stolen. See the State Department’s reporting guidance.
If you believe the passport was stolen, a local police report may help document what happened, but the State Department does not require one for the overseas replacement process. Keep any report you obtain: the passport application asks for details of where and when the loss occurred and a copy of a police report if you filed one. A police report cannot serve as your replacement travel document. The overseas passport guidance lists these requirements.
Contact a US embassy or consulate
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate and explain where you are, when you need to travel, and whether the passport was lost or stolen. You must appear in person to apply for the replacement. If your departure is soon, give consular staff your itinerary so they can assess the time available. The State Department says it will make every effort to help quickly, but most embassies and consulates cannot issue passports on weekends or holidays. Read its overseas replacement guidance.
If the loss follows a serious crime, tell consular staff about that too. They can replace a stolen passport and provide information about local support, medical care and possible financial assistance. They cannot investigate the crime or pay your expenses. For an emergency when you cannot reach the nearest embassy, the State Department lists 202-501-4444 for callers outside the US and Canada. See its crime-victim guidance and Help Abroad contact page.
Gather what you can for the appointment
Bring a passport photo measuring 2 by 2 inches, or 5 by 5 centimeters; identification such as a driver’s license or expired passport; evidence of US citizenship such as a birth certificate or a photocopy of the missing passport; and your airline or train itinerary. The application is Form DS-11. Include the circumstances of the loss, and bring a police report if you made one. Preparing the photo before the appointment can speed the process. The State Department lists the documents to bring.
Missing documents should not stop you from contacting the consulate. The State Department says staff will do their best to help even when an applicant cannot present everything. If you lack proof of citizenship, you can ask about a free file search that may help you obtain an emergency passport. Replacement passports generally carry the usual passport fee; limited exceptions may apply after a serious crime or disaster when the traveler cannot pay. Consular staff can assess your circumstances. See the overseas replacement and fee guidance.
Decide whether an emergency passport fits your trip
When there is not enough time to receive a regular passport, the consular section may offer an emergency passport valid for up to one year. That can help a US citizen return home, but it may not preserve every onward travel plan: the State Department warns that some foreign destinations may not accept a limited-validity passport. If your itinerary includes another country or a connection with entry requirements, raise it with consular staff before relying on the replacement for that journey. See the emergency-passport guidance.
An emergency passport is a temporary solution. After the trip, the State Department advises replacing it with a full-validity passport. The form and any additional fee depend on when the emergency passport was issued and the instructions in its accompanying letter. Keep that letter and the temporary passport rather than assuming the ordinary renewal steps apply. The State Department explains the replacement paths.
Make the next travel decision
If your return is near, prioritize contact with the US embassy or consulate and provide your actual itinerary. Ask what replacement can be issued for your circumstances, then assess your return and any onward destinations using the document you receive. Do not try to travel on a passport already reported lost: cancellation remains in effect if the original is found. The State Department confirms the cancellation rule and the need for a new passport abroad.