What to Do If Your Passport is Lost or Stolen: Fast Traveler’s Guide

Losing your passport, especially while traveling, is frustrating. But remaining calm and behaving in the correct manner will return you to being in control shortly and in safety. What follows is a step-by-step guide on what to do if Passport is Lost or Stolen.

What to Do If Your Passport is Lost or Stolen:

1. Stay Calm and Double-Check

First, breathe and carefully rummage through your belongings. Most tourists keep their passport in another bag, hotel room safe, or concealed pocket. Check your suitcase, clothes, and accommodation before concluding that it’s really lost.

2. Report to Local Authorities

Only if you can ascertain that the passport is lost, report its loss to the local police station nearest to your location.
Obtain a duplicate of the police report, in case it is required for obtaining a new passport or emergency travel documents.

3. Approach Your Country’s Embassy or Consulate

Call the Indian Embassy or Consulate (if abroad) immediately. They will inform you how to obtain a replacement or provide you with an Emergency Certificate (EC) so that you can come back to India.

You may be asked to provide:

Passport photos

ID proof (such as Aadhaar or PAN card)

Copy of police report

Passport application form

4. Apply for New Passport or Emergency Certificate

In India, you can go to your nearest Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office. Overseas, it will be arranged by your embassy to enable you to apply for reissue or emergency document, depending on your travel requirement.

5. Notify the Airlines and Immigration

If your trip is imminent, inform your airline and immigration authorities. Some will be glad to oblige delays if they are forewarned.

6. Avoid Future Loss

After fixed, keep the following in mind to ensure that such a problem does not recur in the future:

Make a digital and hard copy of your passport

Utilize a passport holder or money belt

Make a copy to share with a close friend or relative

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