Your Passport Has Been Stolen — Here's What to Do
Having your passport stolen is stressful, particularly if you're abroad or have imminent travel planned. The process is manageable, but acting quickly matters. This guide takes you through each step in order.
Step 1: Report the Theft to the Police
Report the theft to the police as soon as possible — whether you're in the UK or overseas. You need a crime reference number. This confirms the passport was stolen rather than lost or misplaced, and you'll need it when applying for a replacement.
In the UK, you can report the theft at a local police station or online through your regional police force's website. If you're abroad, visit the nearest local police station and ask for a written record of your report.
Keep a copy of the crime reference number somewhere secure — not just saved on your phone.
Step 2: Cancel the Stolen Passport
Once you've reported the theft to the police, you need to inform HM Passport Office so the document can be cancelled. This is a separate step from applying for a replacement — cancelling the passport does not automatically trigger a new application.
Cancelling the document prevents it from being used for travel or fraud. The sooner this is done, the better.
If the theft happens abroad, the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate can help you cancel the passport. For more detail on this process, our stolen passport page covers what's involved.
Step 3: If You're Abroad, Contact the British Embassy
A stolen passport overseas is something British consular staff deal with regularly. Contact the nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate as soon as you can.
They can issue an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) — a temporary one-way document that allows you to return to the UK. An ETD is not a full passport replacement; it is issued specifically to get you home.
You will typically need:
- Your police report from local authorities
- Evidence of British citizenship (a birth certificate or similar, if available)
- A passport-sized photo
- Details of your onward travel
Not all embassies offer the same level of in-person support, so contact them by phone or email in advance where possible.
Step 4: Apply for a Replacement Passport
Once you're back in the UK, or if the theft occurred at home, you can apply for a replacement. The process is similar to a standard passport application, but you'll need to declare that your previous passport was stolen.
The main steps are:
- Complete a new passport application online or by post
- Include your police crime reference number
- Submit a new passport photo that meets the official requirements
- Provide supporting documents to confirm your identity and British nationality
- Pay the current application fee (check the official government website for the latest figure, as fees change)
If your stolen passport was close to expiry, the replacement will be issued as a fresh 10-year passport from the date of issue.
For a full breakdown of what the passport application process involves, including documents and photos, our application guide covers this in detail.
Documents You Will Likely Need
For most adults replacing a stolen UK passport, the standard requirements include:
- A completed application form
- Two identical passport photos
- Your police crime reference number
- Proof of British nationality (such as a birth certificate or naturalisation certificate)
- Proof of identity, if you have no other current photo ID
- Any previous passports, if still available
If you're replacing a child's stolen passport, additional documents relating to parental responsibility may also be required.
Requirements can vary depending on your circumstances. Always check the current list before submitting.
Common Mistakes That Cause Delays
A few avoidable errors regularly slow down stolen passport replacements.
Delaying the police report. Some people assume they can report the theft later. In practice, getting the crime reference number at the time of the theft makes everything easier downstream.
Treating cancellation and replacement as the same thing. They are not. Reporting the passport as stolen cancels it; you still need to submit a separate replacement application.
Submitting a non-compliant photo. Passport photos have strict requirements. A rejected photo adds unnecessary time to the process. Use a reputable photo booth or professional service.
Not checking travel insurance. Many policies cover the cost of an emergency replacement passport if it is stolen abroad. Check your policy — you may be able to claim.
How Private Passport Assistance Can Help
Replacing a stolen passport involves several steps happening at once: reporting, cancelling, gathering documents, and submitting a correctly completed application. Small errors can cause delays, particularly when you're already under pressure.
Our UK Passport Assistance service is a private assistance platform — not an official government service — that helps applicants organise and prepare their passport applications correctly. We can help you understand what documents are needed, review your application before submission and guide you through the process.
We cannot guarantee approval or specific processing times. Those decisions rest entirely with HM Passport Office. What we can do is help reduce the likelihood of avoidable errors holding things up.
Protecting Your Passport in Future
Once you have a replacement, a few simple habits significantly reduce the risk of theft.
- Store your passport in a hotel safe when you're not travelling — only carry it when you actually need it
- Use a money belt or concealed travel wallet in busy areas
- Keep a secure digital copy of the photo page — this makes proving your identity much easier if it's stolen again
- Don't leave your passport visible in a bag or on a table in public
This website is not an official UK Government site. For the most up-to-date and official information, please visit the GOV.UK passport section.