How to Report a Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport
Introduction
If you happen to lose or have your U.S. Passport stolen, make sure to report it immediately. The longer you wait the more headaches you may have in filing your report. Slightly different procedures apply depending on if you are in the United States or in another country. However, if you follow the right steps in reporting your lost/stolen passport, you’ll help to reduce the problems that a lost/stolen U.S. Passport may cause you. Additionally, you’ll help to reduce the possibility of someone else using your U.S. Passport for the wrong reasons.
Next, we’ll go over the general reporting procedures for a lost/stolen U.S. Passport (or U.S. Passport Card).
General Reporting Procedures
If your U.S. Passport is lost or stolen, make sure to report it immediately to the appropriate government entity.
To Report Lost/Stolen U.S. Passport in the United States:
If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen in the United States, report it to the U.S. Department of State.
To Report Lost/Stolen U.S. Passport By Phone:
- Contact the U.S. Department of State toll free: 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793)
- Operators are available 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., ET, Monday-Friday, excluding Federal holidays.
To Report Lost/Stolen U.S. Passport Using Form DS-64:
- Complete, sign and submit Form DS-64: Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport to:
- U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
To Replace Your Lost/Stolen U.S. Passport In Person:
- Submit the following forms in person at a Passport Agency or Acceptance Facility:
- Form DS-11: Application for a U.S. Passport, and
- Form DS-64: Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport
Next, we’ll go over the steps involved in reporting a lost/stolen U.S. Passport in another country.
7 Steps to Reporting Your Lost/Stolen U.S. Passport in Another Country
If your U.S. Passport is lost or stolen overseas, do not panic – yet. Most embassies and consulates will properly assist you in taking the necessary steps to report a lost or stolen passport. In general, follow these 7 steps if your passport is lost or stolen outside of the United States:
- Determine the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest to your location
- Go to the U.S. Embassy website link at: www.usembassy.gov
- Click the link for the U.S. Embassy that is nearest to your location
- Find the "U.S. Citizen Services" link and click it
- Find the passport link and subheading for lost/stolen passports and click it
- Follow the directions on the webpage for details on what to do
- Make an appointment to contact someone at that embassy
For example, if you’re vacationing in Florence, Italy, you would:
- Click the U.S. Embassy website link at www.usembassy.gov and go to the subheading “Europe and Eurasia”
- Click the link "Italy: Florence." This link will take you to the U.S. Embassy’s website for Florence, Italy. Here, you’ll see links on the top left of the page.
- Click the link at the top left of the page titled "U.S. Citizen Services." This will take you to another webpage.
- At the new webpage, click the link to the right with a graphic that represents the webpage for the whole country of Italy (i.e. the Italian Wide Webpage).
- On the left of this page you’ll see a column of links. Click the "lost or stolen" link under the Passports subheading.
- Here you’ll find the information you need report your lost or stolen U.S. Passport. Follow the directions.
- Finally, make an appointment to contact someone at the embassy.
Finally, we’ll wrap up this article with a few points to keep in mind.
Conclusion
Remember - report your lost or stolen U.S. Passport immediately with the appropriate agency! Make sure that you follow the correct steps and call the appropriate agency, embassy or consulate. By doing so, you’ll help to alleviate complications that may arise because of your lost/stolen passport.
http://www.legalflip.com/Article.aspx?ID=12
© 2009-2010 ThinkingLegal, LLC. All rights reserved.