What should I do if my passport is lost or stolen?

Key takeaways

• Cancel your passport immediately if it is lost or stolen, to reduce the risk of identity fraud or someone else using your details

• Report the loss or theft to the right organisations, including the police (if stolen), your insurer, travel provider, and relevant financial or identity-related organisations

• If you are abroad, an emergency travel document (ETD) can help you continue your journey if you need to travel within six weeks and cannot replace your passport in time. The ETD costs £125 and is usually valid for one journey or return trip

• Check your travel insurance before travelling, as many policies can cover costs linked to lost or stolen passports, replacement documents, and additional travel expenses

What should I do if my passport is lost or stolen?

You need to cancel it immediately. The moment you realise your passport is missing, contact the Passport Office. Reporting a missing passport immediately helps to reduce the risk of someone using it. It's a critical step to prevent someone from stealing your identity. Identity theft can have far-reaching consequences.

📣 Did you know? "Keeping your passport safe throughout your trip is crucial. If your passport is lost or stolen, you must cancel it as soon as possible. This will reduce the risk of anyone else using your passport or identity. If you’re abroad, lose your passport and need to travel urgently, you can apply for an emergency travel document, but you will need to pay a fee. If you need support with a lost or stolen passport, contact HM Passport Office" - Sarah Taylor, Director, Consular & Crisis (FCDO)

Who else should I tell about my lost or stolen passport?

If you suspect your passport has been stolen, you should report the incident to the local police. They can give you a crime reference number which will usually be required for any embassy dealings and insurance claims. It also helps authorities track stolen documents and potentially prevent illegal activities.

You should tell the key organisations who can help protect your identity and travel plans: your travel insurer, your airline or travel provider if you’re due to travel soon, and the local embassy or consulate if you’re abroad.

You should also inform any organisation that used your passport as ID - such as banks, solicitors, letting agents or employers - so they can flag your account and prevent misuse.

How can I replace my passport while abroad?

How to replace your passport while abroad depends on how long it is before you need to travel. If you have enough time to apply for a new passport then you can follow the normal passport replacement process and it can be delivered overseas.

If you need to travel in the next six weeks then you should apply for an ETD. An ETD is a temporary solution that allows you to return home or continue your travels through a maximum of five countries, specifying your travel dates and the countries you will visit.

To be eligible for an ETD, you must be a British national outside the UK with a need to travel in the next six weeks. Your passport must be lost, stolen, damaged, full, recently expired, or is with HM Passport Office or a foreign embassy.

You will need to provide proof of your travel plans. If these change, you need to apply for a new ETD.

What documents do I need to apply for an emergency travel document?

When applying for an ETD, you'll need the following:

• A valid digital passport photo that meets the guidelines and has not been used in a previous passport

• A contact telephone number

• An email address

• A debit or credit card for the fee

Will my travel insurance cover lost or stolen passports?

Most travel insurance policies cover lost and stolen passports, including the cost of obtaining a replacement passport or an emergency travel document while abroad.

Some policies may also cover additional travel and accommodation expenses incurred as a result of the loss. However, cover varies between insurers, so it is important to check your policy documents and contact your insurer to confirm what is included and whether any excess applies.

What if my passport goes missing before I travel?

If you're in the UK and need a replacement urgently, you can use the Passport Office’s one-week fast track service. This service requires you to fill out an application form available at the Post Office, followed by an online appointment. The fee for most adult passports is £166.50. This expedited service is designed for those with imminent travel plans within three weeks and can only be accessed from within the UK.

Compare travel insurance

Before travelling, it is important to have suitable travel insurance in place to protect you against unexpected costs. A comprehensive policy can provide cover for situations such as lost or stolen passports, medical expenses, theft, cancellations, and other unforeseen events. Take time to compare different policies and choose one that matches your travel needs and circumstances.

At MoneySuperMarket we can help you review a range of travel insurance options by comparing factors such as medical cover, baggage protection, cancellation costs, and customer reviews, helping you find a policy that provides the right level of protection.

We work with 59^{^} insurers so we can help you find the policy that’s best for you.