Indian Passport Lost: What To Do (2023 Guide)

The NRI Guides Team regularly reviews this article to ensure the content is up-to-date and accurate. The last editorial review and update were on 25 October 2023.

Losing your Indian passport can be a distressing experience, especially when you’re far from home. The thought of misplacing this essential document can be intimidating for many, whether you’re an expatriate or travelling in a foreign land.

This guide is here to provide a clear and practical set of steps to navigate the challenging situation of a lost Indian passport. From preparation and social media alerts to embassy visits and documentation, we’ll walk you through the process of handling this unfortunate circumstance with as little stress as possible.

Indian Passport Lost: Procedure To Follow

Remember, while it may seem like a catastrophe, there are effective measures to help resolve the situation. Follow the below steps to get out of the trouble:

Step 1: Be Prepared

Before losing your passport, it’s wise to be prepared. Take these steps in advance:

• Make photocopies of your passport.
• Scan your passport and email it to yourself so that you have a digital copy.
• Attach your contact details to your passport, either by pasting or stapling a small piece of paper to the cover.

Step 2: Use Social Media

If your passport is lost, use social media to your advantage. Tweet or post on Facebook to let people know you’ve lost your passport and ask friends to share your message.

This can increase the chances of someone helping you find it. However, avoid sharing passport details or scanned copies on social media, as it’s not a secure platform for such confidential information.

Mention the date and location where you lost your passport in your social media message.

Step 3: Collect Passport Details

If you have a photocopy or a scanned copy of your passport, take that with you.

If you don’t have backup copies, you’ll need to provide key passport details like the passport number, date of issue, date of expiry, and place of issue in the following steps.

If you don’t have this information, contact the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate.

Step 4: File a Police Report

Head to the nearest police station and file a First Information Report (FIR). This document officially states that your passport is missing and is essential for Embassy formalities.

Step 5: Get Passport Size Photos

Before visiting the Indian Embassy, ensure you have several passport-size photos (typically 50 x 50 cm). Having at least 8 of them is recommended. If you don’t have them, visit a local photo booth to get them taken.

Step 6: Visit the Indian Embassy/Consulate

Go to the Indian Embassy or Consulate with the following documents:

• Original passport copy (if available)
• OR Passport details (if you don’t have a print/copy)
• Original police report (FIR)
• Passport size photos

Step 7: Emergency Certificate for Travel

If you need to travel to India soon or you’re on a short trip, you may need to apply for an Emergency Certificate at the Indian Embassy or Consulate.

This one-way travel document allows you to enter India and is issued when you can’t get a new passport without approval from India.

To apply for an Emergency Certificate, you’ll need:

• Application in EAP-2 form
• Passport-size photographs
• Original passport copy (if you have it)
• Original police report

With an Emergency Certificate, you can fly out of the country.

Step 8: Get Your Exit Visa

If you are in a foreign country, you’ll typically need an exit visa to travel out. Be prepared to pay for this exit visa at the government office of the respective country.

Step 9: Reschedule Your Flight

If you have travel plans, immediately inform your airline that you won’t be able to board the flight due to your lost passport. Reschedule your flight timings according to the availability of an Emergency Certificate and Exit Visa.

Step 10: Apply for Passport Re-Issue

Upon your return from travel or if you don’t have immediate travel plans, you’ll need to apply for the re-issue of your passport. The following documents are typically required:

• Proof of Present Address
• Proof of Date of Birth
• Affidavit stating how and where the passport got lost or damaged (Annexure L)
• Original police report
• Self-attested photocopy of the first two and last two pages of your old passport, including the ECR/Non-ECR page if available.

Application forms can be found on the Passport Seva website.

Losing your Indian passport is undoubtedly a stressful experience, but with preparedness and the right steps, you can navigate the situation with confidence.

From maintaining backups to utilizing social media, reporting to authorities, and obtaining necessary documents, this guide has provided you with a roadmap to address the challenge. Remember, staying calm and following these steps will help you regain your travel documents and get back on track.

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