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 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 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.
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