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Lost/Stolen Passport

Replacing a Lost or Stolen Passport

Photo Format (State Dept.)

Photo Format

U.S. citizens whose passports have been lost or stolen should:

  1. File a police report with the Indian authorities as soon as possible. If you think you know where your passport was lost or stolen (in a hotel, airport, railway station, etc.) you should report the loss to the authorities at that location.
  2. Appointments are required. Make an appointment online and print the appointment letter.  Note: If you are traveling in the next week, no appointment is necessary. Please bring the required documents and fees to the Consulate on Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 12:30 pm. We are closed on the last Wednesday of every month and U.S. and Indian holidays.
  3. Complete the appropriate passport application online and Form DS-64: Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport.


    Online application tips:

    • Complete the address fields completely. If you are in India, your passport will not be sent back to the United States. When you drop off your application, you can designate if you wish to pick it up or have it sent to you by registered mail to an address in India.
    • If completing an application without a social security number, you may enter all zeroes as a placeholder.
    • Expedite fee: You do not need to select the "expedite fee" option; passports printed for citizens abroad are automatically expedited.
    • Please fill out the emergency contact information even though it is not required.
    • Print the form but do not use two-sided printing.
  4. Print application and prepare required documents before the interview (whether you have an appointment or not)


. Do not sign the application. you will do so in the presence of the consular officer.

Required Documents for Passport Replacement:  

  • Police report
  • Proof of your identity and U.S. citizenship, if available.
  • Two (2) recent, identical 2"x2" (5 cm x 5 cm) color photographs taken against a white background. No other format will be accepted. More information

Fees

Complete fee information is available here. If applying in person, you may pay with cash dollars, cash rupees (at the current exchange rate), demand draft or a major U.S. credit card. Personal checks are not accepted. 

Passport Processing Time

Except in emergencies, passports are printed in the United States and take approximately two to three weeks.  Please consider this timeline when renewing or applying for passports. You will receive an automated email when your passport is ready. 

Passport Delivery or Pick Up

If you opt to pick up your passport, you may do so between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding the last Wednesday of the month and American and Indian holidays. You do not need an appointment to pick up your passport.

The U.S. Consulate is pleased to provide courier delivery services for U.S. passports, effective August 16, 2010.  All passports which are not picked up at the Consulate must be delivered through VFS courier services. This service will allow for timely tracking and delivery of your passports.  Please read carefully the instructions below so as to arrive at your appointment prepared.

  1. Prior to your appointment at the Chennai Consulate, obtain a demand draft in the amount of Rs. 166 per passport service drawn in favor of “VFS Global services Private Ltd”, payable at Chennai.   We cannot accept cash for this service.
  2. At the appointment, you will be asked to provide the VFS demand draft and courier slip for each individual applicant.  You may access the VFS courier slip on their website at: https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/USIndia/uspassportservices.html.
  3. Passports will still be printed in the U.S., so overall processing time will remain between two and four weeks.  However, once the ACS unit provides your new passport to VFS, you will be able to check the status of your passport by entering your old passport number at the VFS website.  Please click here to track your passport.
  4. You will receive a receipt from VFS with the return of your passport.

Questions

Email:  chennaics@state.gov