Lost or stolen UK passport 2026: what to do

If your UK passport is lost or stolen, act in two steps: first cancel the old document, then apply for a replacement. The order matters — and the first step is more important than it seems.

Why cancel the passport straight away?

A lost or stolen passport should be cancelled as soon as possible through the online service on GOV.UK. It is free. Cancelling closes the document to others and reduces the risk of identity theft. It is important to understand that once a passport is cancelled it can no longer be used — even if you later find it at home. So do not cancel "just in case" if you still intend to search; but with a genuine loss you should not delay.

How do you apply for a replacement?

After cancelling, apply for a new passport — this is the same process as an ordinary renewal when a passport expires. An online application for an adult costs £102; by paper form it is £115.50. You will need a digital photo and proof of identity. The usual processing time is several weeks, so do not book travel too tightly. If the passport was stolen, a police report is not required for the replacement but can be useful as evidence.

What if the passport is lost abroad?

If you are overseas and must return urgently, you can apply for an emergency travel document through GOV.UK — it is chargeable and issued for a specific journey home. Cancelling the lost passport is part of that process. For non-urgent cases abroad you apply for an ordinary new passport, but that takes longer.

How to lower the risk in future?

Keep a separate copy of your passport's photo page (a photo or scan) — it speeds up both cancellation and an emergency document. When travelling, keep the passport in the hotel safe and carry a copy. Check the expiry date in advance: many countries require several months left before it runs out. The sooner you report a loss, the smaller the chance someone else can use the document.

What else is important to know?

The online service also lets you cancel a passport for someone who cannot do it themselves — useful for children or elderly relatives. If your passport held visas for other countries, cancelling the UK passport does not itself cancel those visas, but you will usually need to transfer or re-apply for them in the new passport. During busy periods, allow extra time; for urgent cases within the UK there is a faster paid service booked by appointment. Never travel on a passport you have already reported lost: airlines check a database of cancelled documents, and you could be stopped at the border.

You can report a loss on the GOV.UK page.