If your passport is lost or stolen, you should report the loss immediately. Stolen passports can lead to identity theft and fraud.
Contact the US Embassy or Consulate
Go to the US Embassy or Consulate to report the loss and apply for a new passport.
You will be required to fill out a DS-11 form, the DS-11 form is the standard passport application form. You can find it online.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/lost-stolen.html
You will also be required to fill out the DS-64 form to report the passport as stolen or lost. This DS-64 form must be submitted along with the DS-11 application.
According to the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs you will need to provide the following information when applying for the new passport.
A Passport Photo
Photo Identification (driver’s license, government-issued ID, military ID, certificate of naturalization or previously issued passport)
Evidence of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate, photocopy of your missing passport, certificate of naturalization, or certificate of citizenship)
Travel Itinerary (airline/train tickets) if lost while traveling
Police Report, if available
DS-11 Application for Passport (may be completed at time of application)
DS-64 Statement regarding a lost or stolen passport (may be completed at time of application)
Once the passport has been reported as lost or stolen it will be declared invalid. This is done as a security measure to prevent someone else from using your passport for fraudulent purposes.
According to the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs if you are an American citizen and your passport is lost or stolen while you are out of the country you must replace your passport before returning to the United States.
File a Police Report
Contact the local police department to notify them of the loss and file a police report. Obtain a copy of the police report for your records. Also write down any other information you receive at the police station such as the officers name and badge number, the name of the station, address, phone number and any other important information.
Protect your Passport
Always keep your passport in a safe place. Make several copies of your passport. Keep one copy at home and keep some with you when you travel. When traveling keep your original and your copies in separate locations. For example, keep the original locked in a room safe, keep a copy with you and another with a travel companion. Also keep a digital copy on your smartphone.
Attach a note to your passport with your phone number or email address. If the passport is lost and someone finds it, they can contact you to return it.
When traveling with your passport don’t carry it with you when you are out for the day unless necessary. Instead carry a copy.
During your trip check often to be sure your passport is still with you. If it does turn up missing, you need to know as soon as possible.
Show your passport only when necessary to customs officials and other law enforcement personnel. Criminals can try to trick you into handing over your passport or other important documents.
When traveling with others each person should carry their own passport. Don’t allow one family member or travel companion to carry everyone’s passports. If that person is robbed, all would be lost.
Carry a secure, locked bag. Never carry your passport in a back pocket, backpack or purse where it can easily be grabbed by a pickpocket. Carry it in an inside zipper pocket or in a secure bag attached to your body.
If you do carry a bag, use an anti-theft cross-body bag.
Or an anti-theft belt bag.
Use luggage locks to secure all bags.
Don’t pack your passport in your carry-on bag or in the bags you check. Keep it with you, on-person.
Lock important documents in a room safe if the hotel provides one. And purchase a hotel safe lock. This is a lock that you attach to the safe and only you have the key or code to unlock it. This prevents hotel employees from accessing the safe.
If the hotel does not provide a room safe, purchase a travel safe to use when away from home.
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