Traveler Helpers

I lost my passport and I fly tomorrow: What do I do?

I lost my passport and I fly tomorrow: What do I do?

Picture this: You have a flight tomorrow, but you’ve discovered you lost your passport. You’ve torn apart your house or hotel room, and you’re positive it’s nowhere to be found. What in the world are you going to do? First, take a deep breath. A lost passport is a serious cause for concern, but this guide will walk you through what to do if you’ve lost your passport, including sharing the fastest way to replace a lost passport.



What do you do if you can’t find your passport?

First, make sure you’ve checked absolutely everywhere before you do anything else. We’ve created a list of common hiding spots for misplaced passports, both at home and in hotel rooms or vacation rentals.

  • Suitcases or other travel bags
  • Jacket or pants pockets
  • Your car (see if it fell out somewhere)
  • In a desk drawer
  • On your nightstand (or behind it)
  • Under the bed
  • Between couch cushions
  • Beneath the mail you picked up when you got home
  • In the safe

You should also check with anyone you live with or traveled with if they’ve seen or moved your passport.

If you’re positive your passport isn’t in any of these places, it’s time to pick up the phone and call the following places.

  • The last airport you traveled through with your passport in hand
  • The last airline you flew with your passport, in case you left it onboard
  • The last hotel you stayed at
  • Any places you visited when you might’ve had your passport on you, like a museum or restaurant
  • Your last taxi or rideshare driver

Report the lost or stolen passport

If your passport is truly gone, it’s time to report it as lost or stolen to the US Department of State. There are three ways to do so.

  • Submit Form DS-64 online at travel.state.gov
  • Call 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793)
  • Mail Form DS-64 to the address specified on the form

Expert tip: Once you’ve reported your passport as lost or stolen, it becomes invalid immediately. So if you find your passport after you’ve already reported it missing, you will not be able to travel with it.

If your flight is imminent, you can apply for an urgent or emergency passport

If you have an upcoming international flight within 72 hours, you may be able to get a replacement passport in time. The process and timeline depend on where you are when you’ve lost your passport.

If you’re in the US

If you’re in the US, you will have to apply for a replacement passport in person, not by mail or online. To do so, you must make an appointment at one of the passport agencies and centers; call 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793). While there is no guarantee that you will be able to get an appointment, it is possible to get a same-day passport in some circumstances. Note that the only available appointments may be at a passport office or center in another US city, so you would have to handle transportation.

Expert tip: You must make an appointment; no walk-ins are accepted.

If you’re abroad

If you’re abroad, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate; find the full list of locations at usembassy.gov. US embassies and consulates can issue emergency passports that will get you home.

What if you can’t get a replacement passport?

If you aren’t able to get a replacement passport, you will have to change your travel plans. You cannot travel internationally by air without a passport. Check with your airline ASAP to see if you can change your flight; you may be able to push it back a few days. If you need to cancel your trip entirely, do so before the flight departs. You might be able to receive e-credit for your canceled flight, depending on the fare class booked, which you could use to book a new flight later on. You should then check with your travel insurance policy or credit card–provided insurance policy about refunds for any pre-booked activities from your trip, including hotels and tours.

Our tips to avoid losing your passport in the future

  • Always keep your passport in the same place, both at home and when you stay in hotels or vacation rentals.
  • Keep your passport in a trackable passport holder, such as one that has a slot for Apple AirTag or Tile trackers.
  • When you’re en route to your destination, designate a specific spot in your bag for your passport. Check it regularly during your travels.
  • If you put your passport in a hotel safe, put one of your shoes in the safe, too. You probably won’t walk out the door with only one shoe, and you’ll remember to check the safe.

How to protect your passport when traveling

When you’re traveling, always keep your passport in a secure location, whether that’s an interior jacket pocket, a money belt, or an anti-theft bag. It’s usually best to leave your passport in your accommodation once you’ve reached your destination, ideally locked up in the safe. But set a reminder on your phone to check the safe before you check out!

Conclusion

If you’ve lost your passport and need to fly imminently, you must call the US Department of State to notify officials of your lost passport. Then you can attempt to get a replacement passport before your flight, whether you’re at home or abroad. If you’re not successful in replacing your lost passport, you may have to postpone or cancel your international trip.

How KAYAK knows what to put in this guide

I’m a freelance travel writer with a decade of experience. To put together this guide, I researched the options for emergency passports on the websites of the US Department of State and several US embassies. As someone who travels abroad frequently, my passport is an essential tool, so I’ve shared some of my personal tips for keeping your passport safe.

Young Asian business woman going on a business trip. Business and leisure travel.

Frequently asked questions about lost passports

You cannot fly internationally without a passport. If you lose your passport, you must acquire a replacement before flying. You can, however, fly domestically with another form of TSA-accepted ID, such as a driver’s license.

It’s possible to get a same-day passport. This is more common abroad, as US embassies and consulates can issue same-day emergency passports. In the US, you must make an appointment to get a same-day passport, and those appointments are hard to get.

If you’re abroad, you can contact your nearest US embassy or consulate to get an emergency passport, which can be used temporarily to get home.

The foregoing article was last updated on the 4th of December 2023. It does not contain legal advice and is for informational purposes only. KAYAK does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any of the information contained in this article and/or any of the content linked to within it. Always check the official government website of your departure and arrival destinations prior to travel for up-to-date information.
Sources:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/lost-stolen.html#replacelost
https://fr.usembassy.gov/passports/emergency-passports/
https://in.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/emergency-passport/
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html

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