You lost your passport. Your flight leaves in a few days. Panic is setting in. Take a breath — emergency passport replacement is possible in most countries, and if you act fast, you can still make your trip.
This guide covers emergency passport processes in the US, Canada, and UK with exact timelines, costs, and locations.
United States: Emergency Passport Replacement
Option 1: Expedited Service at a Passport Agency (2-3 weeks or same-day)
For travel within 14 days, you can make an appointment at a regional passport agency:
How to get an appointment:
- Call the National Passport Information Center: 1-877-487-2778
- Or schedule online at travel.state.gov
- You must have proof of travel within 14 days (flight itinerary, hotel booking)
What to bring:
- Completed Form DS-11 (new passport) or DS-82 (renewal)
- Proof of US citizenship (birth certificate or previous passport)
- Government-issued photo ID
- Passport photo (2x2 inches)
- Proof of upcoming travel
- Police report (if passport was stolen)
- Payment: $130 (book) + $60 (expedite fee) = $190 total
Regional Passport Agencies: There are 26 passport agencies across the US. Major cities include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Denver, Atlanta, and others.
Timeline: Same-day to 3 business days for life-or-death emergencies. 2-3 weeks for standard expedited service.
Option 2: Life-or-Death Emergency Service (Same Day)
If you have a genuine emergency (death or critical illness of an immediate family member abroad, or travel within 72 hours):
- Call 1-877-487-2778 during business hours
- After hours: 202-647-4000 (State Department Operations Center)
- Same-day or next-business-day issuance is possible
Option 3: Expedited by Mail (4-6 weeks)
If you have more time:
- Submit Form DS-82 with $60 expedite fee
- Use overnight shipping both ways
- Total time: 4-6 weeks (compared to 8-13 weeks for routine)
Canada: Emergency Passport Replacement
Urgent Service (Next Business Day)
| Service Level | Timeline | Extra Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Urgent (in-person only) | Next business day | $110 CAD |
| Express | 2-9 business days | $50 CAD |
| Regular | 10 business days | Included |
Where to go: Service Canada offices with passport services, or a Passport Canada office in major cities.
What to bring:
- Completed passport application
- Proof of Canadian citizenship
- Two passport photos
- Guarantor declaration
- Travel itinerary showing urgent need
- Declaration of lost passport (PPTC 203 form)
Emergency Travel Document (Same Day)
If you can't wait for even urgent processing:
- Visit a Passport Canada office
- Bring proof of emergency travel (within 24 hours)
- A temporary emergency travel document may be issued same-day
- This is a limited-validity document — not a full passport
United Kingdom: Emergency Passport Replacement
Online Fast Track Service (1 Week)
- Apply online at gov.uk/apply-renew-passport
- Choose the 1-week Fast Track service
- Cost: £177
- Attend an appointment at a passport office for photo and document check
Premium Same-Day Service
- Available at select passport offices
- Apply online, then attend an in-person appointment
- Cost: £193
- Passport collected or delivered same day
UK Passport Office Locations with Premium Service: London, Liverpool, Durham, Glasgow, Newport, Peterborough, Belfast
Emergency Travel Document (for Immediate Travel)
If you're leaving within 24-48 hours:
- Apply online at gov.uk
- Attend an appointment at a passport office
- A 1-time emergency travel document can be issued for your specific trip
What to Do Immediately After Losing Your Passport
- File a police report — needed for replacement applications and protects against identity theft
- Report the loss to your passport authority — US: travel.state.gov; Canada: passport.gc.ca; UK: gov.uk
- Check if your passport is really lost — retrace your steps, contact transport companies (bus, taxi, train), check with hotels and venues
- Gather replacement documents — birth certificate, ID, photos, travel itinerary
- Make an appointment — don't walk in; agencies prioritize appointments
Lost Passport on Public Transit
If you lost your passport on a bus, subway, or train:
- Contact the transit authority's lost and found department immediately
- File a report online if available
- Call the specific route or station where you think you lost it
- Check back daily — items sometimes take 24-48 hours to reach the lost and found office
- Don't rely solely on recovery — start the replacement process simultaneously
The Bottom Line
Losing your passport before a trip is stressful but not trip-ending. Emergency replacement is available in the US (same-day to 3 days at passport agencies), Canada (next business day with urgent service), and the UK (same-day premium service). Act immediately: file a police report, report the loss, gather documents, and make an appointment. Start the official replacement process right away, even while trying to recover the lost passport. If you need help coordinating the search and replacement process simultaneously, an AI agent like Pine can contact transit lost and found offices, file reports, and research the fastest replacement options for your specific situation.
Sources
- US State Department Passport Services: https://travel.state.gov/
- Passport Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-passports.html
- UK Passport Office: https://www.gov.uk/apply-renew-passport
How fast can I get an emergency passport replacement in the US?
At a regional passport agency with proof of travel within 14 days, you can get a passport in 2 to 3 business days. For life-or-death emergencies or travel within 72 hours, same-day or next-day issuance is possible. Call 1-877-487-2778 during business hours or 202-647-4000 after hours. You must make an appointment and bring proof of travel, citizenship, ID, photos, and payment of $190.
What should I do first when I lose my passport?
File a police report immediately, which protects against identity theft and is required for replacement applications. Then report the loss to your passport authority: travel.state.gov for US, passport.gc.ca for Canada, or gov.uk for UK. Simultaneously retrace your steps and contact any transit or venue lost and found departments. Start the replacement process right away even while searching for the original.
Can I get a same-day passport in the UK?
Yes. The UK Passport Office offers a Premium same-day service at select locations including London, Liverpool, Durham, Glasgow, Newport, Peterborough, and Belfast. Apply online, attend an in-person appointment, and collect your passport the same day. The cost is 193 pounds. For travel within 24 to 48 hours, an emergency travel document can also be issued at passport offices.
How much does an emergency passport cost?
In the US, an emergency passport costs $190 total, which includes the $130 passport book fee and $60 expedite fee. In Canada, urgent next-business-day service adds $110 CAD to the standard fee. In the UK, the Premium same-day service costs 193 pounds, while the 1-week Fast Track service costs 177 pounds. These fees are on top of any shipping costs if applicable.
