Emergency passport: How U.S. citizens abroad can get urgent travel help

Key Takeaways

• Emergency passports are for U.S. citizens abroad with urgent travel needs, like lost, stolen, or expired passports.
• Applicants must visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, provide documents, and pay standard fees unless hardship is proven.
• Emergency passports are temporary, often valid only for urgent trips, and should be replaced with regular passports as soon as possible.

If you are a U.S. citizen overseas and you face a sudden need to travel—for example, if your passport has been lost, stolen, expired, or is not available—you can apply for an emergency passport. This guide will walk you through how to get an emergency passport, what documents you need, important tips, and what to expect along the way. Each step is explained in simple terms so anyone can understand it.

Introduction: Why Emergency Passports Matter

Travel problems can happen at any time. For a U.S. citizen outside the United States 🇺🇸, losing a passport or needing to leave quickly because of a family emergency can be very stressful. That’s why the U.S. government has set up a way for you to get help from a U.S. embassy or consulate, including issuing an emergency passport. This document allows you to return to the United States 🇺🇸 or continue your urgent travel even if you don’t have your regular passport.

Emergency passports are meant for short-term use and only for people who truly need to travel urgently. They are not the same as full-validity passports and usually expire within a short period. After using an emergency passport, you should apply for a regular passport as soon as possible.

Who Can Apply for an Emergency Passport?

Any U.S. citizen who is outside the United States 🇺🇸 can apply for an emergency passport if they have:

• A need to travel very soon (for example, their flight leaves in a few days).
• An emergency like a family member’s illness or death.
• A lost, stolen, expired, or damaged passport that makes it impossible to travel.

VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that embassy staff will do their best to help, even if you don’t have all the required paperwork.

Emergency Passport Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s go through the process in plain, simple steps.

Step 1: Contact the Nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Start by finding the closest U.S. embassy or consulate. You can check the U.S. State Department’s official embassy locator to find the right place.

• Act quickly. Emergency passports are only for urgent situations.
• Contact the embassy or consulate right away.
• Explain why you need an emergency passport (for example, your flight leaves soon, you lost your passport, or there’s a family emergency).

Important: Each embassy or consulate might have different opening hours or appointment systems. Ask about business hours and how to book a meeting.

Step 2: Make an Appointment

You need to go to the embassy or consulate in person.

• Tell them about your emergency travel plans, especially if your flight is soon. This helps them decide how fast they need to help you.
• Some embassies require an online appointment; others let you walk in, but it’s better to ask first.

Tips:
– If it’s a life-and-death emergency, say so. You may be helped faster.
– Call or email as soon as possible. The earlier you contact them, the better.

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

Try to collect as many of the following as you can. Bring originals if possible, but copies are helpful too.

Required Documents:

1. Form DS-11 (U.S. Passport Application)
   • Don’t sign it until you are at the embassy or consulate.
   • If you can’t print it, the staff will give you the form at your appointment.
   • Form DS-11 Official Link
2. Proof of U.S. Citizenship
   • U.S. birth certificate
   • Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
   • Previous valid (not damaged) U.S. passport
3. Government-Issued Photo ID
   • Driver’s license, state ID, or another photo ID
4. One Recent Passport-Style Photograph
   • The photo should be in color, with a plain white or off-white background.
   • Some embassies have information on where to get the photo taken nearby.
5. Proof of Urgent Travel
   • Bring your flight reservation or ticket that shows your departure date.

If your passport was lost or stolen:

• Tell consular staff right away.
• Bring a police report if you have one (not always needed, but helps).
• They will cancel your old lost or stolen passport to protect you from identity theft.

If you’re helping a child get an emergency passport:

• Bring proof that you are the parent or have custody (like a birth certificate, adoption record, or custody papers).
• Bring IDs for both parents if possible.

Note: Even if some documents are missing due to loss or theft, embassy staff will still try to help you as much as possible. Show any ID or information you do have—you will not be turned away just because you are missing one or two things.

Step 4: Report Lost or Stolen Passports (If Needed)

If your old passport is missing, you must let the embassy or consulate know.

• Fill out a lost/stolen passport report. The form is called DS-64.
• Form DS-64 Official Link
• Staff will help cancel the lost/stolen passport before issuing your emergency passport.

This step helps stop anyone else from using your old passport.

Step 5: Attend Your Appointment

Go to the embassy/consulate at your scheduled time. Bring all collected documents, forms, and your passport photo.

At the appointment:

• Explain your emergency travel need to the staff.
• Submit your documents.
• Consular staff will review your case and verify your identity.
• You may be asked questions about your citizenship or why you need to travel quickly.
• Sometimes, they may need to contact other government offices to double-check your identity. Stay patient—they are working to help you.

If you can’t speak English well, try to bring someone to help translate, or ask if staff can help with translation.

Step 6: Pay Any Required Fees

There are standard fees for emergency passports. Explain if you have financial hardship; sometimes, fees are reduced or waived in true emergencies.

• Ask embassy staff what payment methods they accept (cash, credit card, etc.).
• Pay the set fee. It is usually similar to the normal passport fee.

Note: If you can’t pay at the time because your wallet was stolen, tell the staff. They may help you contact family or friends for help.

Step 7: Collecting Your Emergency Passport

After reviewing your documents and fee payment, the staff will process your emergency passport.

• Emergency passports are usually printed faster than normal passports, sometimes even within a few hours if travel is extremely urgent. If not, you might get it in 1–3 business days.
• In some situations, you may get a slip so you can return later that day or the next day to pick up your emergency passport.
• Ask staff when your emergency passport will be ready.

Tips:
– Don’t leave the area until you have your passport in hand.
– Double-check the details on the emergency passport for mistakes.

Required Documents Checklist

Before your appointment, check if you have:

• [ ] Completed DS-11 (do not sign until at embassy/consulate)
• [ ] Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, citizenship/naturalization papers, or old passport)
• [ ] Photo ID (driver’s license, passport card, or similar)
• [ ] One recent color passport photo
• [ ] Copy of your travel ticket or itinerary

For children:
– [ ] Proof of parent or guardian relationship
– [ ] Both parents’ IDs (if possible)

Fees, Validity, and Special Notes

• Fees: Fees are similar to regular passport fees, but check with your embassy for exact amounts. In cases of real hardship, fees can be reduced or even waived.
• Validity: Emergency passports are limited in how long they last. Often, they are good for the duration of your urgent trip or a few months, but not for many years.
• Replacement: Once you get home or have more time, use your emergency passport to apply for a regular, full-validity passport.

After You Receive Your Emergency Passport

Once you have your emergency passport:

• Use it only for your urgent travel.
• Do not use it for regular or future travel after your emergency trip.
• Plan to apply for a regular passport as soon as you can, either in the United States 🇺🇸 or a U.S. embassy/consulate abroad.
• Keep your emergency passport in a safe place while traveling.

Troubleshooting and Special Situations

If your situation is complicated (for example, you can’t speak English, don’t have anyone to help, or lost all forms of ID and proof), remain calm. Embassy staff are trained to help, even when you have lost everything.

Sometimes, the embassy may need to check your citizenship status in official databases or contact your family in the United States 🇺🇸. This may take extra time, so be patient but always ask for updates.

If your emergency passport application is denied, ask embassy staff about why and if there is anything you can do. Often, missing documents or unclear identity can be fixed with more information or help from family back home.

Contact Information and Additional Help

If you’re overseas and need help or more information, call the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Citizens Services at +1–888–407–4747. This is a 24/7 line for U.S. citizens abroad.

For more information tailored to your location, such as opening hours, fees, and contact points, use the U.S. State Department’s official guidance.

Additional Tips

• Make copies or digital scans of important documents (passport, ID, travel tickets) before you travel. This can make things easier in case of loss or theft.
• If your child needs an emergency passport, both parents usually need to be present with their IDs. If one parent cannot come, check the embassy’s website for what you can do next.
• Always double-check opening hours and appointment procedures for the specific U.S. embassy or consulate you need to visit.

Summary and Next Steps

Getting an emergency passport as a U.S. citizen abroad is possible, even in stressful situations when documents are missing. The most important first step is to contact the local U.S. embassy or consulate and explain your urgent travel need. Gather as many documents as you can, attend your appointment, pay the required fee, and follow staff instructions.

Remember that emergency passports are temporary and for true emergencies only. As soon as your urgent travel is over, apply for a regular passport. If you need more help, call the emergency contact number or check official resources for updated rules and locations.

By following these clear steps and tips, you can quickly resolve travel emergencies and return home or continue your journey as a U.S. citizen.

Learn Today

Emergency Passport → A short-term travel document for urgent situations, issued to U.S. citizens abroad when regular passports aren’t available.
Consular Staff → Officials at a U.S. embassy or consulate who assist with passport applications and citizen emergencies abroad.
DS-11 Form → The official application form for a U.S. passport, required for emergency and standard passport processing.
Proof of Citizenship → Documents such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate establishing U.S. citizenship status for travel or legal purposes.
Identity Theft → Fraudulent use of someone’s personal information after a passport is lost or stolen, potentially leading to criminal or financial harm.

This Article in a Nutshell

Lost your U.S. passport overseas? Act fast: contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for an emergency passport. Bring documents, explain your urgent need, and pay the fee. Emergency passports are temporary—replace them soon. Always use official channels and prepare copies of key IDs before traveling for smoother emergencies.
— By VisaVerge.com

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