Report a Lost or Stolen Passport in India

In case your passport is missing, this article explains how to report a lost or stolen passport in India. It also explains the procedure to be followed in getting a new passport made and other formalities.

You must make it a point to report the loss or theft of your passport as soon as possible, even if you do not want to replace it immediately.


Procedure in reporting a lost or stolen passport

In case of a lost or stolen passport, foreign citizens first need to file a First Information Report (FIR) with the local police. This report requires them to provide information about their identity and circumstances through which the passport went missing. If you know where your passport went missing such as a hotel, airport or railway station, you should report it to the concerned authorities present there as well.

Next, you need to visit the foreign mission of your country situated in India to report a lost or stolen passport. You will have to submit a few forms and provide identity proof, a copy of the police report and a replacement fee.

After obtaining a new travel document, you must apply for an exit visa before departing from the country. This visa is available at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). It allows the traveller a specified period of time (usually a few days) in which to leave the country legally. Without an exit stamp in your passport, you will not be permitted to leave India.

The following items are required while applying for the grant of visa and exit permit –

• The replacement passport
• A letter from the embassy giving details of your lost or stolen passport
• Original police report
• Date and type of visa in the lost passport
• Name of Indian Mission from where the visa was granted
• Port of arrival including the flight number/details of vessel.
• Places visited in India

It helps facilitate things, if you possess a photocopy of the missing visa and the lost or stolen passport. The process of confirming these details can take around a week and the Visa/ Exit Permit is usually granted after one week.