Many of us have been there – searching the whole house, wondering if we have somehow misplaced our passports only to find them under a rug or inside a shoe box. But for some, there is no room for wondering. They know that they have misplaced their passports because try as they might, they cannot find their travel documents. That’s when the worry sets in – but before you start fretting, you should know there is an easy way to replace your lost passport. And at Travel Visa Pro, we are more than happy to help you get a replacement passport so you can set off on your upcoming journey. So, let’s show you how to replace a lost passport in just days:
How to Replace a Lost Passport
Are you wondering how to replace a lost passport? First, you must ascertain that the passport is lost. Once you report the loss to the authorities, they will invalidate the passport so nobody can use it for travel. Anyone who tries to use it will get flagged at immigration and can land in legal trouble. It also means that if you find it after reporting it lost, you cannot use it and will still need to apply for a new one. Thus, you must ascertain that you cannot find it.
Once you are sure you cannot find the passport, you should always report the loss to the authorities. Doing so protects you from identity thieves who may want to exploit the situation. Once you have struck this off your list, you can proceed as follows:
- Complete the DS-11 Form: In typical circumstances, adult applicants usually fill in form DS-82 to renew their passports whenever they expire or are close to losing their validity. However, per the renewal laws, you must present the state with an undamaged and unaltered passport to renew your passport. This passport serves as your proof of identification and U.S. citizenship. So, since you do not have your passport, you cannot renew it by filling in form DS-82 as you would have. Instead, you must start from scratch by applying for a new passport using form DS-11. Complete it like you did when applying for a passport and ensure the information is accurate. You can fill out the form online and print it or print it and then fill it in black ink. You should not sign the form until you have presented it to an acceptance agent for verification.
- Prepare Your Supporting Documents: Do you remember the documents you provided when applying for a new passport? You will need to gather the same documents to complete your application.
- Present the Documents to a Local Acceptance Agent: Verifying the above documents is integral to processing your passport replacement. Find a nearby application acceptance facility in your hometown. Some may require you to schedule an appointment before showing up, so you might need to check if this is the case. Travel Visa Pro eases this process by booking your appointment at the nearest acceptance agency. The agent will review the documents, and if they are up to standard, you will sign the DS-11 form and pay the execution fee.
- Submit These Documents To The State Passport Office: This last step paves the way for processing a new passport. Usually, the process takes about 6 weeks to process. And with expediting, you can expect results within two to three weeks, though this is subject to delays.
With Travel Visa Pro, you can enjoy convenience in lost passport replacements as you:
- Will not need to go to a state passport office: We will submit and monitor your application on your behalf. You only need to send or drop off your application documents at the nearest TVP office. Once we have received them, we will review them to ensure they are up to standard before sending them in for processing, after which we will follow up on the processes. We also offer form-filling and concierge services such that you can sit back and wait for our agents to work on your application while you handle other imminent needs.
- Can get your passport in days: State passport offices often experience many backlogs due to the influx of applications. Moreover, their processing periods are not standard, as they vary based on the number of applications. Thus, it could be weeks to months before you get a replacement. And when you must travel soon, such delays work against you. Travel Visa Pro understands the need to rush passport processing services to cater to urgent travel needs! We do this by providing expedited passport services, varying from a few days to weeks. You get to choose the best option for your needs, and we guarantee you a new passport within that time.
For more about lost passport replacement with TVP, you can always reach us at +1-833-TVP-VISA (887-8472).
How to Report a Lost Passport
While losing a passport might not seem like a big deal, it is a gateway to criminal activity. Anyone with access to your passport can use it and pass it off as their own, exposing you to identity theft. Thus, you should not waste time once you are sure you have lost your passport. Here is how to replace a lost passport before anyone uses it for their gain:
1. Ensure the passport is lost: Once you report it as lost, you cannot use it even if you find it later. Even the new passport will have different numbers, invalidating the previous one.
2. Contact the U.S. Department of State: The next step is to ensure the passport gets invalidated by alerting the authorities that you can no longer access it. And you can do this in the following ways:
- Report the Loss Online: Use the U.S. Department of State’s website to lodge the lost passport. Here, you will fill in form DS-64, where you can detail your passport particulars. You can also fill out a DS-11 form and start the replacement process.
- Report the Loss Via Mail: If you want to mail the DS-64 form to the passport offices, you can access it and print it from this website. You can then address it to the mail address provided in the website.
- Report the Loss Via Phone: You can also call the National Passport Information Center using the toll-free number 1-877-487-2778. While you may think that calling is the easiest method, getting through to the call center is hard. So, you may want to consider the options above and use the phone as a last resort.
When reporting the lost passport, be sure to enter accurate information regarding how you lost it. This information will be available on the lost passport system and may be used in processing your subsequent applications.
What Documents Do I Need to Replace a Lost Passport?
Document preparation is key to a seamless passport replacement. You will need to provide the following:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship,
- 2 recent and colored passport photographs, which should have been taken in the last three months,
- A filled-out form DS-64,
- A complete DS-11 form, and
- Proof of identification.
When processing a replacement via Travel Visa Pro, you must include a letter of authorization, allowing us to act on your behalf.
How Long Does It Take to Replace a Lost Passport?
The state passport offices are often subject to a backlog, which results in applications taking weeks to months to complete. But if you are in a hurry, you do not have to wait this long as we have an expedited service. So, how long does it take to replace a lost passport with Travel Visa Pro’s rush processing? Our flexible timeline ranges from a few days to weeks. And you get to choose what works best for your passport needs, and we will ensure you get your passport within this time.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Lost Passport?
When you lodge a passport replacement application, you will be subject to execution and application fees. The application fee is standard across all applications. However, the processing fee varies based on your chosen timeline at the time of application which can be anything from days to weeks. You can get an accurate quote at +1-833-TVP-VISA (887-8472) to get clarification on the rate applicable to your passport.
