It’s happened to many of us: when trying to apply for a new passport or simply going through the contents of a drawer full of papers, you suddenly notice that your expired passport is not where it should be. People tend to think that since it is no longer a valid document, you can just forget about losing an expired passport and that it makes little sense to report the loss to the relevant authorities.
However, even if the passport is expired, it is still an important identity document, and leaving things as they are is not rational or safe. Also, as a general rule, you have to send your old passport back to apply for a new document.
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It is therefore crucial to contact the organization issuing your passport once you have noticed that you lost your expired passport. In this blog post, we will guide you through a number of different scenarios and offer guidance on how to proceed in each of them.
Going abroad and need a passport? Check out our other articles for more guidance:
- Passport Validity for Travel to India [2025 & Beyond]
- Mexico Passport Expiration Rules 2025 [When Can You Travel?]
- I Lost My Passport and I Fly Tomorrow: Next Steps
- Emergency Travel with an Expired Passport [Can You Fly & What to Do]
- I Lost My Canadian Passport in the USA [Here’s What to Do]
- Minor Passport Expiration [All You Need to Know in 2025]
- Which Countries Accept Expired Venezuelan Passport? (List)
Losing an expired passport—the risk of identity theft
If a person with ill intent comes across your passport—expired or not—you risk becoming a victim of identity theft. This is why it is mandatory to inform the authorities once you’ve noticed your passport isn’t where the document is supposed to be. In the case of a US passport, the issuing agency is the US Department of State.
You will then be asked to fill out form DS-64 (Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen US Passport). Once completed, the DS-64 form has to be submitted in person at the passport agency.
The data on the form will then be entered into the Consular Lost/Stolen Passport System and marked as canceled, giving you protection from any unpleasant surprises. The same procedure also applies to the loss of expired children’s passports.
Losing an expired passport abroad
Losing your expired passport while traveling abroad doesn’t have to spell trouble. Just visit the nearest US consulate or embassy, having already filled out form DS-64 and being ready to present the document to the clerk. If you decide to apply for a new passport to return home, you will need to submit documents as follows:
- form DS-11 (also filled out beforehand)
- proof of citizenship (a birth or marriage certificate preferred)
- an ID with a photo, such as a driver’s license
- an overview of your upcoming travel plans
- finally – a new passport photo
You will then be able to obtain a temporary emergency passport, even on the same or next business day, if you have urgent plans to travel internationally.
End up finding your misplaced expired passport?
It can happen that, after declaring your expired passport as lost, you end up finding the document. However, as it has already been canceled, you cannot reverse the procedure. You ought to mail it to the Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section of the US Department of State’s Passport Services. This will exempt you from having to present the passport when applying for your next one.
Passport Photo Online–get a new photo in seconds
What is lost is lost! Once you’ve finished canceling your lost passport, start applying for a new one. The first step is a new, biometric passport photo, which now takes no time at all – 3 seconds to be exact – and with minimal effort using Passport Photo Online.
All you need to do is upload a picture, and let the software do the rest of the work. Our algorithm will make sure your picture meets all the necessary requirements, before trimming the photo to the right size and replacing the background with one that meets official requirements. All of this is done in record time– without any additional travel costs, appointments, or hidden service fees.
We also provide a compliance guarantee, meaning you can be sure your photo will be accepted.
I’ve lost my expired passport: FAQ
Lost your expired passport and not sure what to do? Read through the following frequently asked question for a better understanding of the topic.
Where to apply for a lost expired passport replacement?
What happens if you can't find your expired passport?
Do you need to report a lost expired passport?
A lost expired passport—final thoughts
In the event you find your expired passport lost, keep calm and carry on. To make sure you avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, inform the Department of State by filling out form DS-64 and then–depending on the urgency–applying for a new passport.
To make the passport application process as smooth as possible, use Passport Photo Online to get high-quality passport photos that are guaranteed to be accepted by US passport agents. Best of all, with dedicated applications on Andorid and iOS, getting your new passport photo is just as intuitive as it is fast.
Sources
Born in Poland and now living in Japan, Jagna’s impressive academic success – a Master’s Degree in Japanese Studies and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering – positions her uniquely in the world of academia. Her work as an editor for various scientific journals underscores her depth of knowledge in the field.
