Handling Lost or Stolen Passports for Canada Travel

Steps to Take If Your Passport Is Lost or Stolen

If your passport is lost or stolen, follow these steps to report it and obtain a replacement:

1. Report to Local Police: Visit the nearest police station to report the loss or theft. Obtain a police report, which may be required for replacement or insurance purposes.
2. Contact Your Embassy or Consulate: Notify your country’s embassy or consulate in Canada (or the nearest one if abroad) to report the loss and start the replacement process.
3. Apply for a Replacement: Visit the embassy or consulate in person with necessary documents to apply for a new passport or emergency travel document.
4. Check Travel Insurance: Review your travel insurance policy for coverage of passport replacement costs.

Reporting a Lost or Stolen Passport

Prompt reporting is crucial to prevent misuse and facilitate replacement. Here’s how to proceed:

• Local Police: Report the incident to the local police in Canada or the country where the loss occurred. A police report helps document the incident and may be required by your embassy or insurance provider.
• Your Embassy or Consulate: Contact your country’s embassy or consulate immediately. For example:
  • U.S. Citizens: Call the U.S. Embassy or Consulate or the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747.
  • Canadian Citizens: Contact Passport Canada at 1-800-567-6868 or the nearest Canadian embassy/consulate.
  • Other Nationalities: Find your embassy’s contact details via your government’s foreign affairs website.
• Cancellation: Once reported, your passport is canceled and cannot be used for travel, even if found later.

Replacing a Lost or Stolen Passport

To replace your passport, visit your country’s embassy or consulate with the following documents:

• Police Report: If obtained, bring the police report detailing the loss or theft.
• Identification: Provide a government-issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, expired passport, or birth certificate).
• Passport Photos: Bring two recent passport-sized photos (2x2 inches or 5x5 cm) meeting your country’s requirements.
• Application Form: Complete the necessary form (e.g., PPTC 203 for Canadians, DS-11 for U.S. citizens).
• Travel Details: If you need to travel urgently, provide your itinerary to expedite processing.

For urgent travel, request an emergency passport or travel document, which may be valid for up to one year.

Preventing Passport Loss or Theft

Taking precautions can reduce the risk of losing your passport:

• Make Copies: Keep digital and physical copies of your passport’s biographical page separate from the original (e.g., in a hotel safe or cloud storage).
• Use a Secure Wallet: Store your passport in a money belt or travel wallet, especially in crowded areas like Toronto’s markets or Vancouver’s festivals.
• Avoid Unnecessary Exposure: Only present your passport to official authorities (e.g., border officers, hotel staff) to avoid scams.
• Leave Copies at Home: Share a copy with a trusted contact at home for emergency access.

Handling Lost or Stolen Passports in Canada

If you lose your passport while in Canada, follow these specific guidelines:

• Canadian Citizens: Report the loss to Passport Canada at 1-800-567-6868. Complete the PPTC 203 form (Declaration Concerning Lost, Stolen, Inaccessible, Damaged or Found Canadian Travel Document) and apply for a replacement at a Service Canada Centre or passport office.
• Foreign Nationals: Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Canada (e.g., U.S. Embassy in Ottawa or consulates in Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal).
• Police Report: In some areas (e.g., Toronto), police may not issue reports for lost Canadian passports, but reporting theft is recommended.