Key takeaways
- Declare the loss or theft to the police: the declaration is usually required to get a replacement.
- Abroad, contact your embassy or consulate for an emergency travel document.
- Watch for identity fraud: warn your bank and check for accounts or loans opened in your name.
- Keep photocopies or encrypted scans of your documents, separate from the originals.
Losing your ID card or passport feels small at first, until you need to travel, sign a contract or prove who you are. A stolen identity document can also be used to open accounts or take out loans in your name. The good news: the process to replace it is similar in most countries, and quick action limits the risks.
1. Declare the loss or theft
Go to a police station (or the gendarmerie, depending on the country) to declare the theft, or make a declaration of loss. Many countries now let you declare a lost passport online. Bring another document that proves your identity if you have one, and give the document number if you know it. Keep the receipt: you’ll need it for the replacement and in case someone uses your identity.
In Morocco, for example, a lost or stolen national ID card (CNIE) is declared at the nearest police station, then a replacement is requested with a pre-application on the official cnie.ma portal. Each country has its own portal and fees; check the official government website.
2. Protect yourself from identity fraud
- Tell your bank that your ID was lost or stolen, so they can be extra careful with new requests.
- Watch your bank statements, phone bills and mail for anything unusual.
- In countries with a credit bureau, you can often ask for a fraud alert or freeze.
- If you receive bills or messages about accounts you didn’t open, report it to the police with your declaration receipt.
3. Get a replacement
Replacement usually requires: the police declaration, ID photos meeting official requirements, proof of address, a fee, and sometimes your birth certificate. Book an appointment early: waiting times can be long. A replaced passport generally cancels the old one, even if you find it later; don’t travel with a document you declared lost.
4. If it happens abroad
- Report the loss or theft to the local police and get a written report.
- Contact your embassy or consulate: they can issue an emergency passport or travel document to get you home.
- Bring photos, the police report, and any copy of your passport or other ID.
- Tell your airline and travel insurer.
Our guide /blog/what-to-do-when-something-goes-wrong-abroad/ covers what else to do when something goes wrong during a trip.
Prepare: keep secure copies
Keep a photocopy of your passport and ID at home, and an encrypted scan you can reach from anywhere. Note the document numbers and expiry dates. Never send scans of your documents to strangers online: it’s one of the most common identity fraud techniques (see /blog/most-common-online-scams-and-how-to-spot-them/).
Frequently asked questions
Can I travel with the police declaration instead of my passport?
Generally not for international travel: you need a valid passport or an emergency travel document from your embassy. Some countries accept the declaration for domestic purposes for a short time; check locally.
What if I find my document after declaring it lost?
It has usually been cancelled in official databases and can no longer be used to travel. Return it to the authority that issued the replacement, or ask what to do.
Should I declare it lost or stolen?
Tell the truth about what happened. If you don’t know, say so. A theft declaration is a complaint against an unknown person; a loss declaration simply records that the document is gone.
General information to help you get organised, not legal advice. Procedures and numbers can change: confirm them with the office concerned, and in danger call your local emergency number first.
