Skip to content 
Losing your passport—or having it stolen—can quickly turn travel plans into a stressful situation, especially if your trip is approaching. Many travelers assume they can simply renew their passports, but the process is slightly different when a passport goes missing. In these cases, the U.S. Department of State requires a replacement application along with additional documentation explaining the loss or theft. Understanding the correct steps and available processing options can help you avoid delays and get back on track for your trip. This blog outlines whether you can get an expedited passport renewal for a lost or stolen passport, the steps involved in replacing it, and how travelers can secure faster processing when time is limited.
Key Takeaways
- A lost or stolen passport cannot be renewed; it requires a new passport application using Form DS-11 and a lost/stolen statement (Form DS-64)
- You must report the loss or theft immediately to the State Department—once reported, the passport is permanently invalid
- Standard government processing takes 6–8 weeks; government expedited service runs about 2–3 weeks
- Passport Express offers 3–5 day urgent service, 7–10 business day rush, and 3–4 week standard expediting by hand-delivering applications to the passport agency
- As a State-Department-authorized agency, Passport Express helps travelers within 14 days of departure—or those who can’t secure government appointments—get passport services faster and with less stress
Can You Expedite a Lost or Stolen Passport “Renewal”?
Technically, there’s no such thing as a passport renewal for a lost or stolen passport. When your passport is missing, the Department of State treats it as if you’ve never had one. You’ll need to submit Form DS-11 (the application for a new passport) along with Form DS-64 (a statement detailing how, when, and where your passport was lost or stolen).
The U.S. Department of State does offer expedited service for these replacement applications. You can apply in person at a regional passport agency or, in some cases, mail your application with the expedite fee. However, “expedited” through the government typically means around 2–3 weeks processing time—plus mailing delays—not same-day service, which is a key difference when you compare routine vs expedited passport processing times and costs. And getting an appointment at regional agencies like the Atlanta Passport Agency can be extremely difficult, especially during peak travel seasons.
This is exactly why Passport Express exists. As a private, State-Department-authorized expediting agency in Atlanta and Roswell, GA, they hand-deliver your passport application directly to the processing agency. Many clients receive their replacement passport in as fast as 3–5 days, and other fast passport services in Atlanta can support a range of urgent timelines.
How the options compare:
- DIY via post office or regional agency: 6–8 weeks routine, 2–3 weeks government expedited, plus risk of paperwork errors and limited appointment availability
- Passport Express: 3–5 day urgent, 7–10 business day rush, or 3–4 week standard expediting with personalized guidance, document review, and hand-delivery
Step 1: Report Your Lost or Stolen Passport Immediately
The moment you realize your passport is missing, you need to report it. This isn’t optional—it’s a critical security step that protects you from identity theft and fraudulent use of your documents.
Here’s how to report your passport lost or stolen:
- Online: Use the State Department’s lost/stolen passport portal for instant invalidation
- By mail: Submit Form DS-64 to the State Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Unit
- By phone: Call the National Passport Information Center at the Congressional Liaison Department of State number
Once you report your passport, it becomes permanently invalid. Even if you find it tucked in a coat pocket a week later, you cannot use it for travel or identification. A new passport is required.
When you call Passport Express at 770-594-2256, their team walks you through this reporting step during your initial consultation. This ensures you don’t make mistakes or accidentally delay your replacement application. They’ll confirm the report is complete before moving forward with your paperwork.
Important: Passport Express cannot submit your replacement passport application until your old one is officially reported lost or stolen. Prompt reporting gets the process moving faster.
For a lost or stolen passport inside the U.S., you’ll use two specific forms—not the standard DS-82 renewal application that eligible travelers with intact passports use.
What you’ll need:
- Form DS-11: The new passport application is required because lost or stolen passports are treated as first-time applications
- Form DS-64: A statement regarding your lost or stolen passport, including the passport number (if known), date of issue, and details of how, when, and where it went missing
- Proof of U.S. citizenship: A birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or citizenship documents (a previous undamaged passport works if you have one)
- Proof of identity: A valid driver’s license, military ID, or state ID with your date of birth and address
- Passport photo: A compliant 2×2-inch color photo on a white background
- Fees: The application fee (currently $130 for an adult passport book) plus $60 if you choose government expedited service
If you’ve had a name change, you’ll need supporting documents like a marriage certificate or court order. Incomplete documentation is one of the most common causes of application rejections and delays.
How Passport Express helps:
- Reviews your Form DS-11 and Form DS-64 line-by-line to catch errors before submission
- Verifies your passport photo meets government standards—or takes compliant photos in-office for $15
- Confirms your supporting documents, fees, and travel proof are complete for your chosen processing speed
- Creates a personalized checklist so nothing gets forgotten
Standard Government Options vs. Using Passport Express
Understanding your options helps you make the right choice for your situation.
The Standard Do-It-Yourself Route
You can apply for a passport replacement at a passport acceptance facility (such as a post office, library, or clerk of court) or schedule an appointment at a regional passport agency like the Atlanta Passport Agency.
Typical timelines with the government:
| Processing Type | Estimated Time | Notes |
| Routine processing | 6–8 weeks | Standard mail-based process |
| Government expedited | 2–3 weeks | An additional $60 fee, plus mailing time |
| Emergency/same-day | 24–72 hours | Only for life or death emergencies or travel within days; requires proof |
Common challenges with DIY:
- Regional passport agency appointments are notoriously scarce—many travelers can’t secure one through public online booking
- Post office and acceptance facility lines can be long, with limited guidance on forms
- Self-prepared applications have higher rejection rates due to paperwork errors, photo issues, or missing documents
- Delays compound when you have to resubmit or provide proof of corrections
The Passport Express Difference
Passport Express is a private agency authorized by the U.S. Department of State to hand-deliver your passport application directly to the processing agency. They work by appointment in Atlanta and Roswell, GA, with flexible scheduling and a 24/7 answering service for urgent travelers.
Passport Express service tiers:
- 3–5 day urgent: For travelers within about 14 days of departure who need expedited passport help for last-minute travel
- 7–10 business-day rush: For upcoming trips within a few weeks
- 3–4 week standard expediting: Faster and more managed than mailing on your own, while still delivering the key benefits of expedited passport services
Processing times may vary during peak season—call their office for current details.
Why the comparison matters:
This isn’t just about speed. Passport Express provides guidance that eliminates guesswork. They help you determine the realistic processing speed you need based on your travel date, avoid multiple trips to different offices, and become your single point of contact instead of juggling government websites, mail forms, and agency phone lines.
How Passport Express Expedites Lost or Stolen Passport Replacement
Passport Express has served the Atlanta metro area and surrounding states for over 16 years. Owner Maria Carriedo, a former co-owner of Expedite Passport Experts, has been established in Roswell, GA, since 2006, helping individuals and corporate travelers secure U.S. passports and international visas.
The core expediting process:
- Initial consultation: A phone call or in-office visit to review your travel dates, passport type, and the circumstances of the loss or theft
- Form guidance: Line-by-line help completing DS-11 and DS-64, plus verification of your proof of citizenship, identity, and photos
- Acceptance agent coordination: Scheduling a visit to a local acceptance agent (if needed) for identity verification and sealing your application envelope
- Hand-delivery: Passport Express staff physically delivers your completed application to the passport agency for your chosen processing speed
Benefits over the DIY approach:
- No need to fight for scarce regional passport agency appointments
- Personalized checklist covers photos, signatures, fees, and travel documentation
- Realistic timeline estimates based on current government workload and conditions
- One contact handles everything instead of navigating multiple offices
Passport Express serves both local Atlanta travelers and corporate clients who cannot risk trip cancellations due to a lost or stolen passport. Their established relationships and experience mean fewer surprises, and nearby options like the Alpharetta Passport Office for expedited services extend coverage to more travelers in the metro area.
Step-by-Step: Replacing a Lost or Stolen Passport with Passport Express
Here’s a practical guide for Atlanta or Roswell travelers who have just discovered their passport is missing, with a trip coming up.
- Step 1: Call Passport Express: Contact them at 770-594-2256 or use their contact form. Explain your situation and your travel date so they can recommend the right service tier and review options to expedite a passport after you’ve already applied.
- Step 2: Report your passport lost or stolen: Follow the instructions Passport Express provides to report your passport to the State Department immediately.
- Step 3: Receive your personalized document checklist: Passport Express sends you a list of everything you need: Form DS-11, Form DS-64, passport photos, ID, citizenship evidence, and proof of travel for expedited passport processing for urgent requests.
- Step 4: Visit the Passport Express office: Schedule an appointment in Atlanta or Roswell. They’ll help organize your package and can take passport photos in the office if needed.
- Step 5: Go to a passport acceptance agent: If required, visit a nearby acceptance facility for identity verification. The acceptance agent will sign and seal your application envelope.
- Step 6: Return the sealed envelope to Passport Express: They hand-deliver it to the passport agency for your chosen processing speed (3–5 days, 7–10 days, or 3–4 weeks).
- Step 7: Track status and receive your new passport: Passport Express advises you if additional documents or clarifications are requested. Your passport arrives at the address you specify.
Real-world example: An Atlanta family discovered a lost passport just one week before their Caribbean cruise. By contacting Passport Express immediately and following the urgent process steps, they received the replacement passport within 3–5 days and made their trip.
If your travel is within 14 days, call Passport Express immediately for an urgent process. Don’t rely on standard mail-based expediting when your departure date is close.
Restore Your Travel Plans Quickly After a Lost or Stolen Passport
In summary, a lost or stolen passport cannot be renewed through the standard renewal process, but travelers can apply for a replacement passport and request expedited processing. Reporting the missing passport immediately, completing the required forms, and providing the correct supporting documents are essential steps to move the process forward. Acting quickly is especially important when travel is approaching, since delays in reporting or submitting paperwork can extend processing timelines.
For travelers needing help with expedited passport renewal in Atlanta, Passport Express offers professional guidance and fast document handling to help replace lost or stolen passports efficiently. Passport Express assists with the full application process and provides additional travel documentation services such as passport renewal, visa services, and expedited birth certificates. By working directly with the U.S. Department of State and hand-delivering applications to passport agencies, Passport Express helps travelers secure updated documents faster and continue their travel plans with confidence. We proudly serve travelers in Dunwoody, Alpharetta, Cumming, Buckhead, and Johns Creek. Contact us today for fast, reliable assistance with your passport and travel documentation needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still travel if my passport is reported lost, but I find it later?
Once a U.S. passport is reported lost or stolen to the State Department, it is permanently invalidated. You cannot use it for travel or identification, even if you locate it afterward. Attempting to travel on an invalidated passport can result in denial of boarding or problems at border control. A passport replacement is always required. Passport Express can help you get a new passport quickly so your trip stays on track.
Do I qualify for the government emergency passport service at a regional agency?
Same-day or 72-hour emergency appointments at regional passport agencies like Atlanta are reserved for travelers with a life or death emergency or extremely urgent travel (usually within a few days). You’ll need to provide proof such as flight confirmations, medical documentation, or funeral notices. Many travelers with near-term trips that don’t qualify as a life-threatening illness or immediate family member emergency find these appointments nearly impossible to book. This is why Passport Express offers 3–5 day and 7–10 day options that fill the gap.
How much faster is Passport Express compared to mailing my lost passport replacement myself?
Routine mail-in replacements can take around 6–8 weeks. Even government expedited mail service often runs 2–3 weeks or more, depending on application volume. Passport Express offers structured service tiers—3–5 day urgent, 7–10 business day rush—by hand-delivering applications directly to the passport agency. This can significantly cut your overall turnaround. Call Passport Express at 770-594-2256 to discuss your travel date and see which option works for your timeline.
What if I am outside Georgia—can I still use Passport Express?
Although Passport Express is based in Atlanta and Roswell, it can coordinate services remotely for U.S. residents who send sealed application packages by courier. For very urgent cases, travelers in the Atlanta metro area and surrounding states get the best results by visiting the office directly or using nearby locations such as expedited passport services in Buckhead, GA. Out-of-state travelers should contact Passport Express to see if their location and timeline can be accommodated under current capacity, or whether a nearby partner such as the Marietta, GA, expedited passport office is a better fit.
