Lost or Stolen British Passport Replacement Guide 2026
2026 guide to reporting and replacing a lost or stolen British passport, including cancellation, Emergency Travel Documents (ETDs) abroad, standard replacement, 1-Week Fast Track service, police reporting and visas linked to the old passport.
1. Executive Summary & Immediate Cancellation Action
If your British passport is lost or stolen, report it as soon as possible so HM Passport Office can cancel it and reduce the risk of someone misusing the passport or your identity.
2. Emergency Travel Document (ETD) vs Replacement Passport
The table below compares emergency travel options when abroad:
| Travel Document | Application Cost | Processing Time | Valid Travel Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Travel Document (ETD) | £100.00 | 24 to 48 Hours | Single specific itinerary (Up to 5 transit countries) |
| Standard Overseas Passport Replacement | £116.50 online + applicable courier fee | Allow at least 6 weeks in many overseas applications | Replacement British passport; travel validity depends on the passport issued |
| 1-Week Fast Track (In UK) | £192.00 adult standard | Delivered 1 week after appointment | Replacement British passport; available for lost, stolen or damaged passports |
3. Reporting Passport Theft to Local Police
If your passport was stolen, report the theft to the local police where appropriate and keep the crime or incident reference number. Requirements can vary depending on where the theft occurred and any insurance policy.
4. Replacing Visas & eVisas Linked to Lost Passport
If you have a UK eVisa, update your UKVI account with your current passport or travel-document details before travelling. Your carrier may not allow you to travel, or you may be delayed at the UK border, if your account details are incorrect.
5. Lost or Stolen Passport: UK vs Abroad
The process depends on where the passport was lost. In the UK, report the passport through the GOV.UK lost and stolen passport service and then apply for a replacement. If you are abroad, report the loss or theft to the relevant British embassy, high commission or consulate and consider whether an Emergency Travel Document is appropriate for your urgent journey. An ETD is not a general substitute for a full replacement passport.
6. What Happens If You Find the Passport Later
A passport reported lost or stolen cannot be put back into normal use. If you later find it, you must return it to HM Passport Office or hand it to an appropriate authority for return. Do not attempt to travel with a passport that has already been cancelled.
Essential Summary & 2026 Checklist
- Report a lost or stolen passport through GOV.UK as soon as possible so HM Passport Office can cancel it.
- Once reported, a passport cannot be used even if found later.
- If abroad and eligible, an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) can be used for an urgent single or return journey, subject to the destination countries accepting it.
- If the passport was stolen, report the theft to the local police where appropriate and keep the crime or incident reference number.
- If you have an eVisa, update your UKVI account with your current passport details before travelling.
Frequently Asked Questions (6)
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