If you lose a U.S. passport outside the United States, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through its official website. Tell the consular staff if you have urgent travel plans. This guide concerns U.S. passports; other nationalities should contact their own government.
Report and replace the passport
Follow the State Department’s lost or stolen passport instructions. A reported lost or stolen passport is cancelled and cannot be used if you later find it. Replacement generally requires an in-person visit.
Gather what you can
Prepare identification, evidence of U.S. citizenship if available, your itinerary and one suitable passport photo. Consular instructions explain the application and lost-passport report forms. A missing document does not mean you should give up; contact the post for guidance on your situation.
A local police report is not a universal requirement for a U.S. passport replacement, although reporting a theft may be useful for local authorities or insurance. Do not delay contacting the embassy because you assume you must first obtain a particular case number.
Discuss timing directly
Explain your departure date. An emergency or limited-validity passport may be an option in some circumstances, but issuance and timing are not guaranteed. Ask whether a replacement document will meet the entry requirements of your next destination.
Protect the rest of the trip
Notify the airline if travel may be disrupted and review accommodation or ticket-change terms. Secure your remaining identification and payment methods. Use official contact details; avoid paying an unverified service that promises immediate replacement.
Before future travel, keep a secure copy of your passport details separately from the original and share an itinerary with a trusted person. A copy is useful supporting information, but it is not a substitute for a valid passport at a border.