If you’re traveling abroad on one of MEDLIFE’s volunteer trips, losing your passport is probably near the top of your worst-case list. It’s stressful, but it’s fixable. Here’s what actually happens, what to do first, and how to keep your trip on track.

The short answer

If you lose your passport in another country, you can’t use it to travel home. U.S. citizens report it lost or stolen, then apply in person for a new one at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. If you need to travel soon, the embassy can issue an emergency passport valid for up to one year.

Not a U.S. citizen? The steps are similar, but you’ll work with your own country’s embassy.

Canadian citizens report the loss to the nearest Government of Canada office abroad, which can issue an emergency travel document if you need to travel urgently (Government of Canada guide).

What to do if you lose your passport abroad: 6 steps

1. Stay calm and retrace your steps

Check your bags, your room, and the last places you showed your passport, like the airport, a hotel front desk or a bank. Make sure your phone, wallet and emergency contacts are safe. A photo or photocopy of your passport will make every next step easier.

2. Report your passport lost or stolen

Report it right away to protect yourself from identity theft. U.S. citizens can do it online with the State Department’s form filler (Form DS-64), and online reports are processed within one business day.

Once you report it, the passport is canceled. Even if it turns up later, you can’t use it for international travel.

3. File a police report if you can 

For U.S. citizens, a police report isn’t mandatory, but it helps confirm what happened. Your travel insurance may also ask for one if you file a claim. If your passport was stolen, file a report.

4. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate 

Find the closest one at usembassy.gov. You have to apply in person, so ask for an appointment and tell the staff your travel dates. Most embassies can’t issue passports on weekends or holidays, but every one has an after-hours duty officer for life-or-death emergencies.

5. Apply for a replacement or emergency passport 

Bring as much of this as you can:

• One passport photo (2×2 in or 5×5 cm). Getting it beforehand speeds things up.
• Photo ID, like a driver’s license or an expired passport.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship, like a birth certificate or a copy of your lost passport.
• Your travel itinerary (flight or train tickets).
• Form DS-11, with details on where and when your passport was lost or stolen.
• The passport fee.

If you’re missing a document, consular staff will still try to help. If there isn’t time for a regular passport, they can issue an emergency passport, valid for up to one year.

Replacements generally cost the same as any other passport. If you can’t pay, the State Department has emergency financial assistance options. If you were the victim of a serious crime and can’t pay, you may qualify for a free emergency passport.

6. Tell your MEDLIFE trip coordinator

If you’re on a Service Learning Trip with MEDLIFE, let your coordinator know as soon as you notice. They can give you logistical support, help with local procedures and help you return to your volunteer activities as soon as possible.

Once you’re home: replacing your emergency passport

An emergency passport is a short-term fix. After your trip, you can exchange it for a full-validity passport, which lasts 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.

Online passport renewal isn’t an option for a passport you reported lost or stolen. The State Department’s online renewal is only for people who still have their passport.

Planning another trip? Passport processing times change during the year, so check the current processing times first.

How to avoid losing your passport on a volunteer trip

• Apply for or renew your passport well ahead of your trip, and check the entry rules for your destination. Our guide to which countries Americans need visas for is a good place to start.
• Keep a photocopy and a phone photo of your passport’s photo page, stored apart from the passport itself.
• Keep your passport in a money belt or a locked bag, and only carry it when you need it.
• Check that you have it every time you change locations.

Travel abroad with support 

If it happens, start with steps 1 and 2 right away. Our staff can help with the rest, so you can get back to the work you came to do with our partner communities. Learn more about how we keep volunteers safe or read our trip FAQs.

To learn how you can volunteer abroad with MEDLIFE, download our free brochure or fill out the short form below.

You can also support MEDLIFE’s year-round work with partner communities by becoming a monthly donor to Moving Mountains.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if your passport is stolen in another country?

The steps are the same as for a lost passport: report it stolen, file a police report and apply for a new one at the embassy. If you were the victim of a serious crime and can’t pay, you may qualify for a free emergency passport.

Can I fly home without a passport?

In general, no. U.S. citizens need a new passport, often an emergency one, before returning to the United States.

How long does it take to get an emergency passport?

It depends on the embassy and your travel dates, so tell the staff when you need to leave. If you lose it over a weekend or holiday, the State Department says most replacements are issued the next business day.

What if I find my passport after reporting it lost?

You can’t use it for international travel. Once it’s reported, it’s canceled, and you’ll need the replacement.

I’m not a U.S. citizen. What should I do?

Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate. The process, fees and timelines depend on your country. Your MEDLIFE coordinator can help you find it.