If you are abroad, and your passport is lost or stolen, you should report it to the local police as soon as possible. If your passport has been stolen, you’ll need them to give you a police report.

As soon as you have done this, please inform the nearest British Embassy or Consulate. You need to report any loss or theft on an LS01 form straightaway. Then return your completed LS01 form, along with a copy of your police report (if relevant) to the British Consulate, who will then cancel your passport.

LS01 forms are available from any British Embassy/Consulate and you can also download one here:

LS01 Form: Lost or Stolen Passport Notification (PDF, 52k)

If you are in the UK and your passport has been lost or stolen, please contact the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) on their Passport advice line (0870 521 0410) . They will guide you through what you need to do.

Once your passport has been reported lost or stolen

Once you report your passport as lost or stolen, it is electronically cancelled. You will not be able to use it as a proof of identity, nationality, or for any other legal purpose. You must not use it as identification as this may be detected, and it may be seen as a potential fraud.

Also, you will also not be able to use it for travel. If you do so, your passport may be impounded by the Borders and Immigration Authority at a UK port or airport. If you are travelling overseas, you could face deportation or arrest.

Applying for a replacement passport

If you want to apply for a replacement passport, you must submit a passport application form as well as the LS01 form. You’ll find instructions on how to replace or renew your passport, and all the relevant forms, on the ‘Renewing your Passport’ page.

What to do if you find a passport which has been reported lost or stolen

You must return any passport that has been reported lost or stolen to the nearest British Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible. If you are in the UK, you should return your passport to the nearest Identity and Passport Service office.