Passports are crucial in international travel, especially when you are in a foreign country because it could be the only proof of your identity. However, there are times when we have our passports lost or stolen. We understand the upcoming stress and panic about whether there will be information leakage, identity theft, incapability to go back to your home country, etc. Moreover, even if we still hold the passport, it might suffer damage due to poor preservation or unexpected accidents, which means the certificate is not valid anymore. It is well-known that we should renew passports when it expires. What if you lose or damage it?
Fortunately, the authority allows some useful methods that guarantee a secure passport replacement, so everything returns to normal. In this passage, we are going to explore how to replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport for adults and kids, in UK and abroad and dig out some other related information.
How to Replace a UK Passport?
On the condition that your passport is stolen or lost somewhere uncertain, you are supposed to report the loss to local authorities in order to prevent you from being implicated by criminals or illegal activities. However, if your passport is lost at home or damaged, you don’t need to report it. Then just go ahead starting lost or damaged passport replacement. There are online and paper-form applications available which all require you to have an interview before applying.
Replace Damaged Passport Online
A passport lost at home could be replaced at home too. This service is available on the UK Government website and the process can be quite simple. What you need to prepare is a digital photo and a credit or debit card for payment. Online lost passport replacement could be achieved by following the steps below.
- Click the “Replace Online” button and answer the questions on the screen, such as where you live, date of birth, etc.
- Provide all documents as required (such as passport photos, proof of identity, etc).
- Fulfill payment. The standard passport replacement fee for adults is £82.50.
- Get someone to verify your identity (if required) through email.
- Track the process through email, text or logging in to the website.
Replace Lost Passport in Paper Form
If you have your passport lost or stolen or are reluctant to apply online, you can replace it through mail by following the steps below.
- Obtain a paper form in the Post Office or make a phone call to Passport Adviceline. If you are not sure about how to fill in the form, you can use the Passport Check and Send service in post offices which reduces the possibility of rejection, but it charges extra fees.
- Provide 2 identical passport photos and one of them must be signed by the countersignatory at the back to confirm your identity.
- Pay £93 by debit card, credit card or cheque.
- Send out the application form, verified documents and payment information to the address on the form.
What If a Child’s Passport is Lost?
If your child’s passport is lost, the replacement process is similar to that of an adult, in addition to some extra documents for the sake of security, such as valid passport from another country that your kid would have and court orders that state your relationship with the kid like parental responsibility statement, residency arrangements, birth certificate.
Online lost passport replacement is simple and there are clear instructions. However, if you replace it by post, remember to complete Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 10 of the paper form. Kids at the age of 12 or older have to sign Section 6.
It costs £53.50 to replace lost passport for children online and £64 by post.
Can I Get a New UK Passport Abroad?
Losing or damaging a passport in a foreign country could be depressing, so can I Get a New UK Passport Abroad? Of course. The HM passport office offers a Overseas British Passport Applications solution which is similar to the last section.
However, it takes around 10 weeks to deliver a new passport, you are supposed to apply for an emergency travel document if you need to travel within 6 weeks from abroad. It allows holders to travel through 5 countries to reach the destination, usually used for single or return trips. The application is fulfilled online before which please check whether your emergency travel document is acceptable in the countries you are leaving, arriving or traveling through. Then, click here to visit the official website. During this process, you have to complete the questionnaire step by step and show evidence of your urgent trip, such as the air ticket. In some cases, you might be required to make a reservation at the local embassy or consulate first. The emergency travel document costs £100 and takes 2 business days to be delivered.
Fast Track Service
It takes 10 weeks to get a new passport. If you are in urgent need, you can turn to the fast-processing service which takes only 1 week. This service is not available online. To use this service, please do as follows.
- Get an application form in a Post Office and fill in it at home.
- Make an appointment online or over the phone after completing the form, preparing 2 identical printed photos and other supportive documents included in the booklet coming with the form.
- Pay the fee with debit or credit card.
- Take all materials to the appointment locations and finish the application.
FAQs: Damaged, Lost or Stolen Passport Replacement
Q: How much does passport replacement cost?
A: It is subject to the way of application. For adults, it will cost £82.50 online and £93 by post. For children, it will cost £53.50 online and £64 by post.
Q: How long does it take to process lost passport replacement?
A: About 10 (ten) weeks, please spare enough time before you take a trip. If you are in urgent need, the Fast Track service can make a new passport for you within a week.
Q: How much does Fast Track service cost?
A: For adults’, it cost £155 for regular passport or £166 for a 50-page frequent traveler passport. For child’s, it costs £126 for regular passport or £137 for a 50-page frequent traveler passport.
Q: What documents should I submit to replace a lost passport?
A: You have to offer three of the certificates below:
—identification document like driving licences
—evidence of UK citizenship
—2 identical passport photos (one with countersignatory signature) or a single digital photo
Summary
After reading this article, I believe you have been clear about what to do after your passports are lost, stolen or damaged. You can replace it through the Internet or by post. Don’t be worried even if you are abroad. Through either online application or fast track service, you are bound to continue the journey or go back to the UK.
Erin Lo