International Travel Emergency Passport Issued by a U.S. Consulate

Lost Your Passport While Traveling Abroad?

Losing your U.S. passport while traveling in another country can be stressful, but it does not mean your trip is over. Every year, thousands of American travelers have their passport lost or stolen while overseas.

Fortunately, U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world can issue an emergency passport that allows eligible U.S. citizens to continue traveling or return to the United States.

What Is an Emergency Passport?

An emergency passport is a limited-validity U.S. passport issued by a U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate outside the United States.

It is intended for situations where an American citizen must travel urgently but cannot wait for a regular 10-year passport to be produced.

Emergency passports are typically valid for one year or less and are issued only in limited circumstances.

When Can You Get an Emergency Passport?

A U.S. Embassy or Consulate may issue an emergency passport if:

Your passport has been lost.
Your passport has been stolen.
Your passport has been seriously damaged.
Your passport has expired unexpectedly while abroad.
You have an urgent need to travel because of a family or medical emergency.
There are other exceptional circumstances requiring immediate travel.

What Should You Do First?

If your passport has been lost or stolen while overseas:

Stay calm.
Report the loss or theft to the local police whenever possible.
Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate immediately.
Schedule an emergency passport appointment if required.
Gather your identification and any documents that help prove your U.S. citizenship.

Embassy personnel will explain exactly what documents you need based on your situation.

Documents You May Need

Although every situation is different, you may be asked to provide:

A completed passport application.
A passport photograph.
Government-issued photo identification, if available.
Evidence of U.S. citizenship, if available.
Your travel itinerary.
Police report (if applicable).
Payment for passport fees.

If you do not have every document, the Embassy or Consulate will often work with you to verify your identity through other available records.

Can You Continue Your Vacation?

Sometimes.

An emergency passport allows you to travel, but not every country accepts limited-validity emergency passports. Before continuing your trip, you should verify whether your destination and any transit countries will accept the document.

Returning to the United States

For many travelers, the primary purpose of an emergency passport is to return home safely.

Once you are back in the United States, you should replace your limited-validity passport with a full-validity U.S. passport as soon as possible. In many cases, if you apply within one year, you can exchange the emergency passport for a regular passport without paying another passport application fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an emergency passport the same as a regular passport?

No. Emergency passports are generally valid for one year or less and are issued only under special circumstances.

Can I fly back to the United States?

Yes. An emergency passport is intended to allow eligible U.S. citizens to return to the United States or continue essential travel, subject to airline and destination-country requirements.

Can I keep using the emergency passport?

No. It should be replaced with a regular full-validity U.S. passport after you return home.

Will every country accept an emergency passport?

No. Some countries may not recognize or accept emergency passports for entry or transit. Always verify entry requirements before traveling.

Travel Tip

Before every international trip:

Make a photocopy of your passport.
Email yourself a secure digital copy.
Store another copy separately from your passport.
Enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so the nearest U.S. Embassy can contact you in an emergency.

These simple precautions can make replacing a lost passport much faster if the unexpected happens.

International Travel Emergency Passport Issued US Consulate