Passports are important documents that are needed for traveling out of country. For Indians, passports double up as official identification documents within the country and abroad. In fact, there are situations where you may lose your passport or it may get damaged with use. This is inconvenient to say the least, and can create unneeded stress. 

So, if you are wondering what to do if you lose your passport, then we have the right answer for you. 

Steps to take if you lose your passport

There are certain clear steps you should follow if you lose your passport or if it gets too damaged to be useful anymore. 

If you lose your passport in India, then you will need to immediately report the loss to the nearest Police Station and the Passport Office. The same way, if you misplace your passport when abroad, you should report it to the nearest Police Station and then contact the Indian Embassy in the country. You will simply need to apply for a re-issued passport. Make sure to check the list of documents required to get a duplicate passport issued in case you lose your original passport. 

Indians who go through the proper channels when their passport gets lost or damaged when abroad are issued an Emergency Certificate (EC), to help them return to India. 

Follow these steps to re-claim a lost or damaged passport:

Step 1 

The first step on realizing that you have lost your passport is contacting the nearest Police Station and reporting the incident. Make sure to obtain a copy of the police report as it is necessary to apply for a re-issued passport. 

Step 2

Gather all the documents necessary to apply for a new passport. This list of essential documents include your previous passport/or photocopy, copy of police report, proof of identity and address. In  case you do not have a photocopy of the original passport then you will need to prove identity using other documents, such as a birth certificate, school/college diploma or any document proving your nationality. 

Step 3

The next step is to actually apply to get your passport re-issued. You can choose to either apply in person at the nearest Passport Seva Kendra, or book an appointment online. For this, you will need to complete the application process, pay the relevant charges and submit the necessary documents. Besides this, you should be prepared for an in-person interview during your appointment at the Passport Seva Kendra. 

Step 4

Once your documents are processed, you will be called for an in-person interview. Make sure to be present well before the appointed time. This interview is meant to confirm your identity and ensure that the details in the documents you provided are accurate. 

Step 5

The last step is to wait for the passport to be mailed to your address. Once the entire application is processed, the Ministry of External Affairs will issue a new passport to you which is sent through registered post. The duration of time it takes for a passport to be issued varies. But you can check the status of your passport application on the online portal easily. 

Conclusion

These are the five simple steps to follow when you lose your passport. You should always keep your passport safe and close to you, especially when traveling abroad. The passport is not only your proof of identity when abroad, but also a pass to travel back to India.