Losing a passport can be a stressful and frustrating experience particularly if you are in the process of traveling or need to travel soon. However, losing a U.S. passport card can add a layer of complexity to the situation as this card is a secondary form of identification used for land and sea travel between the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and Bermuda. If you have lost your U.S. passport card it is important to take immediate steps to report the loss and apply for a replacement to avoid any travel disruptions or identity theft issues.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps you must take if you have lost your U.S. passport card including how to report the loss, apply for a replacement and protect yourself from identity theft.
How to report your lost US passport card?
If you have lost your U.S. passport card you must report it to the U.S. Department of State as soon as possible to prevent identity theft and potential misuse of your passport card. Here are the steps to follow to report your lost U.S. passport card:
Contact the U.S. Department of State: You can report your lost passport card by calling the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) at 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793) or by completing the online form on the U.S. Department of State's website.
Complete Form DS-64: You must also complete Form DS-64, Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport which is available on the U.S. Department of State's website. This form is used to report the loss of your passport card and must be submitted along with your application for a replacement passport card.
Provide information about the loss: When you report the loss of your U.S. passport card you will be asked to provide information about when and where it was lost or stolen as well as your personal information.
Consider additional steps: If you believe your lost U.S. passport card has been stolen or if you are concerned about identity theft you may also want to consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit report to prevent unauthorized access.
By promptly reporting your lost U.S. passport card you can help protect yourself from identity theft and ensure that a replacement passport card is issued as quickly as possible.
How to replace your lost US passport card?
Here's how to replace your lost or stolen passport card if you are residing in the U.S.:
Complete Form DS-11: To apply for a replacement passport card you must complete Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport. You can access the form online or pick up a hard copy at a nearby passport acceptance facility.
Provide evidence of identity: You will need to provide evidence of your identity such as a government-issued I.D. or driver's license along with a photocopy of the front and back of the I.D.
Submit your application: You can submit your completed application along with your evidence of identity, Form DS-64 and a passport photo in person at a nearby passport acceptance facility. You will also need to pay the appropriate fees.
Track your application: You can track the status of your application online or by contacting the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778.
If you are currently outside of the United States and have lost your passport card the process for obtaining a replacement card is slightly different. Here's what you need to do:
Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate: You will need to contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to report your lost passport card and obtain information on how to apply for a replacement.
Complete Form DS-11: You will need to complete Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport and have it signed in the presence of a U.S. consular officer.
Provide evidence of identity: You will need to provide evidence of your identity such as a government-issued I.D. or driver's license along with a photocopy of the front and back of the I.D.
Submit your application: You will need to submit your completed application along with your evidence of identity, Form DS-64, a passport photo and the appropriate fees to the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Await your replacement passport card: Once your application is processed your replacement passport card will be sent to you via secure delivery.
At what time will I get my replaced US passport card?
The processing time for a replacement U.S. passport card can vary depending on several factors such as the current workload of the passport agency, the time of year and whether you have requested expedited processing. Generally, the standard processing time for a replacement passport card is approximately 4-6 weeks from when the U.S. Department of State receives your application.
However, if you need your replacement passport card sooner you can request expedited processing which typically takes 2-3 weeks.
It's important to remember that processing times can vary, and it's always a good idea to apply for your replacement passport card as soon as possible after your previous one is lost or stolen to avoid any travel disruptions.