Lost Passport Replacement: How To Do It

There are a few things every traveller fears. Long flight delays that may qualify for compensation and last-minute flight cancellations eligible for compensation are among the most stressful disruptions - especially when connections are missed.

But for many travellers, losing a passport abroad is the ultimate nightmare.

Luckily, if you do lose your passport, it’s possible to replace it. But how to replace a lost passport? How much does it cost and how long does it take? Well, in this guide, we’ll answer all of your questions about replacing your UK passport.

The First Step to Replace Lost Passport 

Before we look at some specific situations, like how to replace a lost passport abroad or how much does it cost to replace a lost passport, it's important you know what to do first, if you think your passport is missing.

The very first step of the process of how to get a replacement passport is to report yours as missing. You can do this on the official Gov.uk website.

It only takes a few minutes to report your passport as missing and this will officially cancel it so that nobody else can use it if the passport has been stolen. Then, you can move on to the next step of the process.

How to Replace a Lost Passport in UK

If you lose your passport at home, you might be wondering about how to replace a lost UK passport. Luckily, the process is relatively simple in this case. Here's how to do it:

• First, report your passport as missing.
• You can then fill in an application form to get a new passport, either online or with a paper form.
• Send off the form and pay the fee of £75.50 for a standard passport or £85 if you apply by mail.
• Then, wait around three weeks, on average, for your new passport to arrive.

However, the process can be more complex if you're out of the country, which leads us to the next section.

How to Get a New Passport if Lost Abroad?

Just like missed connections and cancelled flights, many travellers fear the idea of losing a passport abroad. The process of how to get a passport replaced while out of the country can be challenging, but it's not impossible.

If you lose your passport in another country, the next step will depend on your current situation:

• Urgent - If you need to travel elsewhere urgently, you can apply for an emergency travel document or emergency passport. This will allow you to travel back home and get your new passport there. It's a very specific document with your exact travel plans printed on it, so you have to decide on a travel route and stick to it, otherwise the document won't work.
• Not Urgent - If you don't need to leave the country urgently, you can actually apply for a new passport to be sent to you overseas. This can all be done online and you just have to fill in the form and wait for your new passport to arrive.

How to Replace a Lost Passport Urgently for UK Holders

So, we've seen how to get a new passport, but how long for a lost passport to be replaced? Well, it can actually take over a month in some cases. And you might not have that much free time. So, how to get a lost passport replaced quickly?

Well, if you need your passport as quickly as possible, you can use a Fast Track service. This can only be done in the UK and you'll have to visit a passport office in person in a city such as London, Glasgow, Liverpool, or Belfast.

There are two options for expedited service:

• Online Premium - For £177 per passport, you can enjoy the Online Premium service. This lets you attend an appointment and get a new passport there, the same day.
• 1 Week Fast Track - This option costs £142 per passport. It lets you get your new passport within a week after your appointment.

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