- Report it through the GOV.UK service; you need a phone number, and a photocopy or photo of the passport helps.
- GOV.UK says cancelling reduces the risk of anyone else using your passport or your identity.
- Replacing a passport costs £102 online or £115.50 on a paper form.
- Abroad, an emergency travel document is usually valid for one journey, within 6 weeks, through a maximum of 5 countries.
Report it first
Use the lost-and-stolen passport service on GOV.UK. It asks for a phone number and works better if you can supply a photocopy or photo of the passport. You can report on someone else's behalf if they cannot. The GOV.UK page lists no charge for the report, but it does not say in so many words that the report is free, so if any step asks you to pay, check you are still on GOV.UK. Contact HM Passport Office if you need help with the cancellation.
What it costs to get a new one
| Step | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Report as lost or stolen | No charge listed on the page | Cancels the passport |
| Replacement, online | £102 | From the GOV.UK renew or replace page |
| Replacement, paper form | £115.50 | Same page |
| Emergency travel document abroad | A fee applies; amount not on the page we read | Cancellation happens during the application |
Replacing it
Cancelling and replacing are separate steps. Once the old passport is cancelled, apply for a new one: the route is in renewing a UK passport, with the urgent options in urgent passport services if you are travelling soon. GOV.UK says to check how long it will take before you apply, and the new passport arrives by courier or Royal Mail.
If it was lost abroad
A British national outside the UK who needs to travel urgently may apply for an emergency travel document. They qualify if they had a valid UK passport issued after 1 January 2006, or in exceptional circumstances such as unexpected childbirth, urgent medical treatment or a funeral, but not for holidays, weddings or job interviews. It is usually valid for one single or return journey, travel must be within 6 weeks, and you can pass through a maximum of 5 countries. A passport may also be with HM Passport Office or a foreign embassy, which GOV.UK lists as a valid reason to apply.
Steps after a loss
- Report the passport on GOV.UK as soon as you notice, using a phone number you can answer.
- Tell your bank and other providers if cards or other documents went too, because the passport report does not tell them.
- Apply for a replacement, or for an emergency travel document if you are abroad.
- Watch your post and accounts for unfamiliar activity for some time afterwards.
What follows a loss
After a loss you may see adverts or messages offering to speed up the replacement for a fee. A copy site charges on top of the official fee; see fake and copycat passport websites. If you paid one, what to do after paying a passport scam site sets out the steps.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost anything to report a passport lost or stolen?
The GOV.UK report page lists no charge, but it does not state in plain words that reporting is free, so we do not promise it. Replacing a passport costs £102 online or £115.50 on paper. Be wary of any site that asks for a fee to report.
What do I need to report a lost passport?
A phone number, and a photocopy or photo of the passport if you have one, which helps with the identification questions. You can report on behalf of someone else if they are unable to do so themselves.
What if my passport is stolen abroad?
Report it, then if you must travel urgently apply for an emergency travel document. It is usually valid for one journey, within 6 weeks, through a maximum of 5 countries. A fee applies to the document, and cancellation is part of that application.
Can I use a passport I reported lost and then found?
GOV.UK's page does not cover finding a passport again, so we make no claim. Cancelling reduces the risk of misuse, so treat a reported passport as no longer safe to rely on and contact HM Passport Office to ask.
Who qualifies for an emergency travel document?
A British national outside the UK who had a valid UK passport issued after 1 January 2006, or who has exceptional circumstances such as unexpected childbirth, urgent medical treatment or a funeral. Holidays, weddings and job interviews do not count.