What happens if my passport gets lost in the mail
If your passport gets lost in the mail, it's essential to act quickly to minimize the impact on your travel plans. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the situation:
- Report the loss to the US Department of State: Contact the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (1-877-4USA-PPT) or visit their website at travel.state.gov. Provide your name, date of birth, and the circumstances surrounding the loss.
- Fill out Form DS-11: Download and complete Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport, and bring it with you to a passport acceptance facility. You'll need to provide proof of citizenship, identity, and a photocopy of both sides of your ID.
- Visit a passport acceptance facility: Take the completed Form DS-11, supporting documents, and the lost passport application fee to a passport acceptance facility. There are over 9,000 facilities located throughout the US, including post offices, libraries, and county clerk's offices. You can find a facility near you on the US Department of State's website.
- Fill out a police report: If you reported the loss to the police, bring a copy of the police report to the passport acceptance facility. This may be required to prove that the passport was lost in the mail.
- Pay the application fee: The application fee for a U.S. passport book is currently $110 for adults (16 and older) and $80 for children (15 and younger). The execution fee for the acceptance agent is typically $35.
- Wait for your new passport: Once your application is processed, you'll receive a new passport book or passport card. This may take 6-8 weeks for routine service or 2-3 weeks for expedited service, which costs an additional $60.
- Cancel your lost passport: Once you receive your new passport, you should cancel your lost passport to prevent identity theft and to avoid any potential issues when traveling.
Additional tips:
- Keep a digital copy of your passport and important documents in a secure, cloud-based storage service, such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
- Consider purchasing travel insurance that covers lost or stolen passports.
- If you're traveling soon, consider applying for a passport card, which is a less expensive, wallet-sized document that can be used for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
Remember to stay calm and act quickly to minimize the impact on your travel plans.