A situation in which a passport is lost or stolen may lead to the wrongful use of its holder’s sensitive information. That is why it’s so important to take adequate measures, even if the document is expired.
In this article, US citizens will learn what steps to take in such a case and how to replace a lost expired passport whether the passport holder is inside the United States or abroad. We will also show you how PhotoAiD® – an app with over 1 million users – can assist you in obtaining the perfect US passport photo that complies with the government requirements.
I lost my expired passport: what now?
In a case when a US passport holder loses their expired passport, they shouldn’t panic, but think of where they may have misplaced it.
It is recommended to:
- calm down and double check the usual spot where you keep your documents (drawer, document cabinet, binder/folder);
- think of any places you have visited in the past couple of days and see if your passport is there (family members’/friends’ houses, clubs, bars, restaurants);
- ask the other household members whether they’ve seen the passport.
If there’s no luck, the expired passport loss must be reported to the corresponding authorities.
Yes, even if a US passport holder’s lost or stolen passport has expired, the fact cannot just be ignored– they will still have to go through a procedure to report it to the National Passport Information Center.
The main reason why a US citizen should report their expired passport as lost is because of the potential threat of identity theft. Also, it’s impossible to renew a lost passport, therefore, if your expired passport goes missing you will have to apply for a new one.
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How to renew a lost and expired passport in 4 steps
In this section, we will talk about what steps to take when you think your expired passport has been lost or stolen and what to do next.
Step #1: report the loss of your expired passport
The first step you will need to take to report the loss or theft of your expired passport is to fill out and submit Form DS-64 (Report of a Lost or Stolen Passport).
If your passport was lost or stolen in the United States, you will be able to report this in one of three ways:
- using the form filler on the US Department of State website;
- calling the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778 (or TDD: 1-888-874-7793) and speaking to a representative.
- mailing* Form DS-64 along with a front and back photocopy of your government-issued photo ID (a driver’s license or state-issued ID) addressed to ATTN: CLASP, US Department of State, CA/PPT/S/RM/CLASP, 44132 Mercure Cir, P.O. Box 1227.
*US citizens can only use this option if they are not applying for a new US passport book or passport card.
If after losing an expired passport a US citizen ends up finding their travel document, they cannot use it again for travel as it has been electronically canceled by the US Department of State.
Step #2: prepare the required documents
Before proceeding with the replacement of a lost expired passport, US citizens must make sure to prepare the required documentation:
- Form DS-11
- proof of US citizenship (e.g. birth certificate or Certificate of Naturalization) with a photocopy
- a valid photo ID
- one 2×2 inch passport photo.
One of the most important and indispensable aspects of a passport application is a correctly taken passport photo that meets the US Department of State guidelines. Try PhotoAid®, a convenient 3-second way to obtain a fully compliant 2×2 inch US passport photo from home and make your application process smoother and easier.
Step #3: pay the passport fees
To calculate the total cost of your lost expired passport replacement, US citizens will need to consider the following fees:
- $130 for a passport book;
- $30 for a passport card;
- $160 if you’re applying for both a passport book and card;
- $35 execution fee (payable to the passport acceptance facility);
- $18.32 express delivery fee (optional);
- $60 for the expedited service (if necessary), payable to the US Department of State.
Step #4: lost expired passport—submission
Applicants will be required to submit Form DS-11 (Application for a US Passport) and the supporting documents at a passport acceptance facility.
How the application will be submitted depends on how urgent the international travel situation is:
- routine service: if there are no urgent travel plans and the US citizen just wishes to replace their lost expired passport;
- expedited service: US citizens who are in the United States and are traveling internationally within the next 3 (three) to 5 (five) weeks or less.
Routine passport processing times take roughly from 6 (six) to 9 (nine) weeks, from the moment the application is received at the passport facility. After this time, the US applicant will receive their new passport and the supporting documents submitted with the application.
A lost expired US passport abroad
US citizens located outside of the country must visit the nearest US embassy or consulate to report their lost expired passport using the same form – DS-64.
They are also encouraged to report the loss or theft of their passport to the local police. However, submitting a police report at the embassy or consulate is not mandatory.
Upon having reported their expired passport as lost or stolen, they can apply for a replacement passport with the correct paperwork and at the same Embassy or Consulate where the report was submitted.
On top of that, US citizens abroad will need to:
- provide their travel itinerary/airline tickets;
- and contact their embassy or consulate regarding the applicable fees as they may differ depending on the location.
For urgent or emergency travel, a limited-validity passport can be issued quickly just so that the individual can travel back home immediately. US citizens can apply for a full-validity US passport once they are back in the United States.
PhotoAiD®: get your passport photos quickly from home
For your passport application, you will need a new passport photo taken in the last 6 (six) months. When replacing a passport, time is of the essence especially when you have urgent upcoming travel plans. To save you time, we want to share with you an easy option to get an effortless, 100% compliant photo whether you’re in the US or abroad, that will just take three seconds.
PhotoAid® is an online passport photo tool that has been trusted by over a million users worldwide. Download it for iOS or Android to get passport photos in two minutes. You can download digital images right away—and have them printed at any printing service—or get physical-format passport photos delivered to your address.
When using PhotoAiD®, passport applicants will:
- save time – no need to leave your house or hotel to obtain a passport photo;
- be able to get unlimited takes and decide which version suits them best;
- have their photo appropriately resized and adjusted to US government standards for passport photos.
PhotoAiD® is also a great option for children’s and babies’ passport pictures thanks to an unlimited number of takes and the ability to take the photos from home.
In an unlikely situation of the photos not being accepted by passport authorities, users will receive a 200% refund.
Lost expired passport: FAQ
The following section is dedicated to answering your most frequently asked questions regarding the replacement of a lost expired passport.
Does it matter if I lost an expired passport?
Yes. Even when a US passport has expired, it must still be presented to the passport authorities when applying for a renewal. If this is impossible, it will affect the way to apply for a new travel document. Losing any US passport, whether valid or expired, may put its holder at risk of identity theft and must be reported to the US State Department as soon as possible.
What happens if you lose your expired passport?
You may be at an increased risk of identity theft. Someone who finds your passport could fraudulently use your document to create a new identity, therefore as soon as you realize your passport has been lost or stolen (even if it’s no longer valid), immediately report it to the State Department.
Can I renew a lost expired passport?
No. To renew a US passport you must be able to send your old passport with the rest of the documents. If your expired passport is lost, you must apply for a new one using Form DS-11.
What to do if you have lost your expired passport?
Report your expired passport as lost or stolen as soon as you can to the US Department of State. You can do this online, by mail, by calling the National Passport Information Center, or when applying for a new passport at an acceptance facility or passport agency.
How to renew a lost expired passport?
It’s impossible to renew a lost expired passport. You will have to apply for a new passport using Form DS-11.
Where to apply for a lost expired passport replacement?
You must apply at a passport facility if you are in the US and have no urgent travel plans. You will need to apply via an appointment at a passport agency or center if you have upcoming travel plans that are urgent or an emergency. If you are abroad, you will apply at the nearest US embassy or consulate.
My passport is both lost and expired. What steps do I need to take to get a replacement?
The steps to take when getting a replacement passport will be the same as those when applying for a new passport for the first time. In the US, the replacement passport application process will be done at a passport facility or passport agency and outside of the US – in an embassy or consulate. The applicant will have to present Form DS-64 along with their passport application.
Wrap up
A lost expired passport may be an invitation for identity theft, therefore, as soon as you realize that it’s gone, you should report it to the State Department.
A new passport application calls for a new photo and PhotoAiD®—an online passport photo tool endorsed by National Geographic and Forbes—will help you obtain a 100% compliant US passport photo for your new passport application.
Magda is an art & travel expert who is passionate about all things late-Victorian, history, languages, casa museos, Spain, and food illustration. She also loves reading, creative writing, and hanging out with her three cats.
