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

What you need

• a phone number (you need one to use the online cancel service)
• a photocopy or photo of the lost passport, if you have one. It helps you answer questions about it
• a digital photo and a debit or credit card, for your replacement

Steps if you are in the UK

1. Cancel the passport straight away. Use the GOV.UK service to report it lost or stolen.
2. Apply for a replacement. Use the online service to apply for, renew, replace or update a passport.
3. Get someone to confirm your identity if asked. A replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged passport needs a countersignatory on a paper form. If you apply online, you may be asked to name someone who confirms your identity online. They must have known you for at least 2 years. They must not be related to you, be in a relationship with you or live at the same address.
4. Do not book travel until you have your new passport. It will have a different number from your old one.

You can report a lost or stolen passport for someone else if they cannot do it themselves.

If you need it quickly

The 1 week Fast Track service can be used to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport. You book an appointment at a passport office and your passport is delivered by courier 1 week after the appointment.

The 1 day Premium service cannot be used for a replacement. It is only for renewing an adult passport.

Example: an adult has their passport stolen and must fly in 10 days. They cancel it online, then apply for the 1 week Fast Track at £192. The earliest appointment is the day after they apply, so they could have the new passport about a week after that.

If you have already applied and are waiting, do not pay for an urgent service. It will not speed things up and you may be charged a £34.50 admin fee.

If you are abroad

If you need to travel within 6 weeks, you may be able to get an emergency travel document. You do not need to cancel your passport first. It is cancelled automatically once you pay for the emergency travel document.

• It costs £125 and is not refundable.
• It is usually ready within 2 working days of paying, but can take longer, for example for a child under 16. Do not book travel until you get an email telling you how and when to collect it.
• It is usually valid for one single or return journey, through up to 5 countries.

Help

Call the Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm; weekends and bank holidays, 9am to 5:30pm). From abroad, call +44 300 222 0000. They can help if you need to travel urgently, for example for medical treatment or because of a family emergency.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

The same HM Passport Office services and fees apply across the whole UK.

Related guides

• Can I get an emergency travel document abroad?
• How can I get a passport urgently?
• How much does a UK passport cost?
• How long does a passport renewal take and how much is it?
• What are the rules for a UK passport photo?

Where this comes from

• Cancel a lost or stolen passport
• Apply for, renew, replace or update your passport
• Passport fees
• Get a passport urgently
• Countersigning passport applications
• Get an emergency travel document
• Emergency travel document: how to apply
• Passport Adviceline