What to Do When You Lose Your Passport in a Foreign Country?

Follow the steps given below if you misplace your passport while travelling abroad:  

Step 1: If your passport is stolen or lost, report it to the local police station. The police report serves as official documentation for the lost passport. You will need a copy of the police report when you apply for a new passport (re-issue) or an emergency certificate. 

Step 2: After you file a police report, you must inform the Indian Mission. They will verify your nationality and assist citizens by issuing an emergency certificate to return to their country. 

Step 3: If you opt for a new passport (re-issue), there is a one-week waiting period. However, if you cannot wait due to urgent circumstances such as a serious illness or a family member's death, you can apply for an emergency certificate to return to your country immediately. 

Step 4: Reschedule your flights and make sure your visa is valid. You must also apply for a new visa since you have lost your passport. To obtain a new visa, go to the embassy of your nation with the necessary paperwork. You need to include photocopies of the prior visa and police report. 

Step 5: Inform your travel insurance provider about the situation as soon as possible. Keep the police report and any receipts for expenses related to passport loss close at hand. 

How to Apply for a Re-issue of Your Passport if Lost Abroad

Step 1: Visit the nearest Indian Mission or Consulate. Register on the Passport Seva Online Portal and log in with your registered Login ID. 

Step 2: Apply for Re-issue of Passport by clicking on ‘re-issue of Passport’ 

Step 3: Fill in the form with all the relevant details. 

Step 4: Now, click ‘Pay and Schedule Appointment’.  Make the payment using one of the accepted methods.  

Step 5: Print the receipt containing your Application Reference Number (ARN)/Appointment Number or use the SMS with appointment details. 

How Do I Re-apply for a New Passport Online?

If your passport is lost, no duplicates will be issued. Apply for a new passport to be issued again by following the easy instructions listed below:

Step 1: Go to the Passport Seva Kendra website. By providing the necessary information, including your name, date of birth, passport office, etc., you can register yourself on the Passport Seva online portal. Click 'Existing User Login' to log in with your login ID if you are already a member.

Step 2: Choose 'Apply for Fresh Passport/Re-issue of Passport' and enter the necessary information, including your name and contact information, before submitting.

Step 3: To reserve a time slot at the passport office nearest you, click the 'Pay and Schedule Appointment' link found under the 'View Saved/Submitted Applications' option.

Step 4: Complete the online payment process using one of the following payment methods: Internet banking (Associate banks of State Bank of India or any other banks): Cards—debit or credit (MasterCard or Visa), SBI bank challan. For appointments at your local Passport Seva Kendra, Passport Office, or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra, online payments are required.

Step 5: Select 'Print Application Receipt' to print the receipt for your application and finish the lost passport application process. The Application Reference Number is on this receipt. It is not required that you bring this receipt with you when you visit the passport office.

Step 6: Your registered mobile phone number will receive an SMS with the appointment information, which is enough to serve as official documentation of your scheduled appointment.

How to Submit an Offline Application for a New Passport Re-issue?

Step 1: Download the 'Download e-Form' form from the official website's 'Download e-Form' tab to submit your offline application for a new passport.

Step 2: Click the link under 'Fresh or Re-issue of Passport' and offline enter the necessary information, including the type of application, the applicant's name, date of birth, etc.

Step 3: Upload the completed form here. The printed version of the form will not be accepted by the Passport Seva Kendra or Regional Passport Office.

What Documents Are Necessary for a New Passport to Be Issued?

To apply for a re-issue of your lost passport, you need to submit the following documents along with your application: 

1. Police report  

1. Proof of current address 

1. Proof of date of birth 

1. An affidavit explaining how and where the passport was lost or damaged (Annexure 'F') 

1. Self-attested photocopies of the first two and last two pages of the old passport, including the ECR/Non-ECR page, if available 

1. The original EC/Seizure Memo 

1. In some cases, confirmation from the relevant Indian Mission/Post may also be necessary. 

What Is an Emergency Certificate?

An Emergency Certificate is a one-way travel document in case you need to return to India due to unforeseen circumstances. If your passport is lost, you can still travel back to your country of residence with an emergency certificate.

People can apply for an emergency certificate in person at the relevant embassy, though they might need to go through a personal interview process. As an alternative, they can submit an online application by going to the Passport Seva official portal at Indian Embassies and Consulates. The High Commission verifies your nationality and other credentials before issuing a passport.

The following circumstances result in the issuance of an emergency certificate:

1. When a passport is misplaced or lost
2.  Damaged or stolen passport
3.  People who have had their request for a new passport denied
4. Long-term expiration of a passport's validity
5. People who are subject to deportation orders

How Do I Apply Online for an Emergency Certificate?

In case your passport is lost or stolen, follow these easy steps to apply for an emergency certificate:

Step 1: Go to the Passport Seva official website at an Indian Embassy or Consulate. Choose the nation from which you want to request passport services.

Step 2: Select the 'Register' link to begin registering for the portal. Enter your name, date of birth, and any other information the embassy or consulate may require. Alternatively, use the credentials to log in if you have already registered.

Step 3: On the home page, select the appropriate option for your emergency certificate. Complete and submit the online application form.

Step 4: Print out the completed application form, then visit the embassy with the necessary paperwork. Select the 'Embassy/Consulate Connect' link to access a list of Application Submission Centers or Embassies in the nation you have just visited.

Keep in mind that you might have to pay processing charges to obtain an emergency certificate. In addition, the documentation requirements vary depending on the country. Therefore, before going to the Indian consulate to apply for this certificate, check the official website.