Are you a victim of a stolen passport? If so the first thing to do is report it stolen to the State Department. By doing so, it will help you from identity theft. Once you report your passport stolen you cannot use it again if you get it back. It will be invalid.
How to Report a Passport Stolen
You have three options to report your passport stolen. The first is to visit the State Department website, https://travel.state.gov, and complete Form DS-64 and submit it. The second option is to download Form DS-64 and complete it. You can then mail it in. The last option is to call the National Passport Information Center toll-free number at 1-877-487-2778 (TTY 1-888-874-7793) to report it missing. Even if you do call, you must still complete Form DS-64 and submit when you reapply for a new passport.
How to Replace a Stolen Passport
To replace a stolen passport, you must complete and submit Forms DS-11and DS-64 in person. The normal processing time is 4 to 8 weeks. To get this service, visit a post office, county clerk’s office, courthouse, or a public library. Make sure before going to any of these facilities to verify their operating hours and acceptance times. not every county clerk’s office, courthouse, or library accepts a passport application.
You may visit other facilities that will get a passport sooner than four weeks. By employing one of them, be ready to pay way more than the cost at the post office. Nevertheless, for an emergency or business trip, you cannot wait that extended time to get your travel document. A private expeditor like the National Passport Service can help get one in a day for you. But to get it that quickly, you must submit additional documents. Here is a list of documents you must submit:
- Two recent passport photographs
- Two letters of authorization to the expeditor so that they can act on your behalf
- Proof of travel which can be a flight itinerary
A regional passport agency can perform the same service but unfortunately, not every state has one. So, if you choose this option, you might travel to the adjacent state to get a new passport.
Once you are able to provide these documents, and with approval, you can pay the fee and cost of the service. With the service, there are multiple options to choose from. Your choice will determine the fee and how fast you will get your new passport.
