If your passport is lost, stolen, or unavailable while you are in the United States, you will usually need to contact your embassy in the United States before an emergency travel document can be issued. This document is usually intended for urgent travel when a standard passport cannot be issued immediately.
Emergency travel documents are temporary and often have limited validity.
What happens
When what happens if you lose your passport in the United States is reported to an embassy or consulate, the original passport is usually cancelled.
After verifying your identity and citizenship, the embassy may issue one of the following:
- An emergency passport.
- A temporary travel document.
- A one-way document allowing return to your home country.
The type of document issued depends on your nationality and the policies of your embassy.
These documents are generally issued more quickly than full passports but may be valid only for a short period.
What determines whether a document can be issued
Embassies usually require several steps before issuing an emergency travel document:
- Confirmation of citizenship.
- Identity verification.
- Completion of a replacement application.
- Passport photographs.
- Payment of applicable fees.
These steps are often part of replacing a foreign passport in the United States, particularly when an emergency document is issued first.
If identity cannot be confirmed quickly, additional documentation may be required.
Embassies may also check whether the lost passport has been reported in international databases.
What it may lead to
Common outcome:
- Emergency travel document issued within a short processing period.
- Traveler uses the document to depart the United States.
Possible escalation:
- Limited validity document that only allows travel to the home country.
- Requirement to replace the emergency document with a full passport after arrival.
Worst realistic outcome:
- Travel delays while identity is verified.
- Airline refusal to board if the document does not meet destination entry requirements.
Travelers should confirm airline acceptance of the emergency document before departure.
Common escalation triggers
Certain factors can delay emergency document issuance:
- Lack of identification.
- Missing photographs or required forms.
- Limited consular office hours.
- Verification delays from the traveler’s home government.
Consular procedures vary widely between countries.
What this depends on
The availability and type of emergency travel document depend on:
- The traveler’s nationality.
- Embassy policies.
- Whether the passport was lost or stolen.
- Urgency of travel.
Different countries issue different types of temporary travel documents.
Who controls the process
Emergency travel documents are issued by embassies or consulates representing the traveler’s home country.
U.S. authorities do not issue replacement passports for foreign nationals.
Airlines and destination countries decide whether the document is acceptable for travel.
Last reviewed: March 2026
This page describes typical operational outcomes. Individual cases vary.