LOST OR STOLEN PASSPORT - WHAT TO DO
Lost or Stolen Passport, what to do - British Passport
If you are a British national and your UK passport has been lost, stolen or expired while you are abroad you can use an emergency travel document also known as 'an emergency passport' to leave the country you are in and return back to your destination. These can be issued on short notice whilst you are overseas.
What an emergency travel document can do.
An emergency travel document enables you to leave the country you are in and return to your final destination, either the United Kingdom or the country you are residing in.
The emergency travel document will allow you to travel via a maximum of 5 different countries.
Unlike a standard adult UK passport which is valid for 10 years an emergency travel document is only valid for a specific journey at a specific time.
If your final destination is the UK, border staff will keep your emergency travel document when you arrive. Border staff at a different final destination might also keep the document.
• Having an emergency travel document doesn't automatically grant you entry to the country or countries you are travelling to or through, you may also need a visa. So please check with that countries Embassy or Consulate before travelling.
• Where possible they will inform you of any known countries where the emergency travel document has restrictions.
• You can ONLY travel to the destinations you have stated on your application.
• If you plans change after you receive your emergency travel document you will have to apply and pay for a new one to be issued.
• This 'emergency passport' is ONLY valid for the journey stated, if your emergency travel document is not kept by immigration at your final destination you must return it to your nearest British Embassy/High Commission/Consulate for processing and destruction.
Stolen Passports
If your passport has been stolen, you must contact the local police and report it. Also make sure you retain any and all crime report details, and any reference numbers given to you by the police as you may need these in your application form. This is called making a Denuncia and more details on how to do this can be found HERE The S.A.T.E office can also help with this process. Please note you may also have to do this if you have just lost your passport.
Online: It is no longer possible to make a police report over the phone in English in Spain. If you have been a victim of a theft or robbery in Spain you can report the incident to the National Police in English online using the "Virtual Complaints Office”
Expired or damaged passports
If you are outside of the UK and your passport has expired or is several damaged and you are unable to use it on your return journey you should always try renewing or replacing it before using an emergency travel document.
Only apply for 'an emergency passport' if you need to travel before you can get a replacement passport.
What counts as a damaged passport
Personal details are indecipherable (non-readable). The laminate has lifted enough to allow the possibility of photo substitution. Discoloration to the bio-data page. Chemical or ink spillage on (any page). Missing or detached pages. The chip or antenna shows through the endpaper on the back cover for the new style e-passports. The chip has been identified as damaged following investigation or you have been told the chip is faulty during a border-check.
Reasonable wear and tear is ok but things to check for are - Making sure there are no stains or water marks on any pages. All the information is clear and readable. The laminate on your photo page is securely in place. There are no damaged or missing pages. The chip is in place and undamaged. The passport binding is secured and not disintegrated.
In most cases the fact that the gold emblem has been worn away from the front cover, as long as the rest of the passport is in very good condition i.e no peeling pages, tears or marks this will not affect your ability to travel.
Lost or Stolen Passport, what to do
Who can apply
An emergency travel document lets you travel from abroad if you need to travel urgently and cannot use your UK passport. It is usually only valid for one single or return journey.
You can travel through a maximum of 5 countries.
You can apply for an emergency travel document if all the following apply:
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you’re a British national
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you’re outside the UK
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you need to travel within 6 weeks
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your UK passport has been lost, stolen, damaged, is full, has recently expired or is with HM Passport Office or a foreign embassy
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you cannot renew or replace your UK passport from abroad before you travel
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you have had a valid UK passport that was issued on or after 1 January 2006
If you have not had a passport issued on or after 1 January 2006
If you have not had a UK passport that was issued on or after 1 January 2006, you’ll usually need to apply for a UK passport instead of an emergency travel document.
You might be able to get an emergency travel document if all the following apply:
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you have, or are eligible for, British nationality
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you’re outside the UK
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you need to travel within 6 weeks
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you have an urgent and unplanned reason to travel due to exceptional circumstances
Exceptional circumstances may include if:
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your child was born unexpectedly
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you need urgent medical treatment that you cannot access without travel to another country
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you wish to attend the funeral of a close relative
If you have not had a UK passport that was issued on or after 1 January 2006, you cannot get emergency travel documents for activities such as holidays, weddings, family events and job interviews.
You’ll have to explain and provide evidence to show why your journey is urgent and essential. Applications are assessed on a case by case basis.
Lost or Stolen Passport, what to do.
How to apply
Before you apply, check if an emergency travel document will be accepted in the countries you plan to leave, enter and travel through. This includes whether you need a visa.
Apply online
You can only apply online if you have had a passport that was issued on or after 1st January 2006.
The application costs £100. You cannot get a refund.
To apply for your emergency travel document online, you will need:
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a valid digital passport photo that meets the guidelines and has not been used in a previous passport
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a contact telephone number
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an email address
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a debit or credit card for the fee
A relative or friend can pay for you if you’re not able to make a payment using the online service (for example, because you’ve lost your wallet).
Apply on behalf of someone else
You can apply for an emergency travel document for someone else if they are a British national. They might have to attend an appointment and they may need to collect their emergency travel document in person.
If you apply for a child under 16, they will need to go to an appointment with both parents or legal guardians. If a parent or legal guardian cannot attend, they’ll need to send a signed consent letter instead.
After you apply
Your old passport will usually be automatically cancelled once you have paid for your emergency travel document.
You’ll be told if your passport will not be cancelled, for example because it’s with an embassy or you’ve already applied for a new passport.
You’ll get an email update about your application.
If the application is approved
You’ll be told:
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how and when to collect your emergency travel document
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whether you need to do anything else, like attend an appointment at your nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate
Your emergency travel document will usually be ready to collect 2 working days after you apply.
It may take several weeks if:
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your original British passport has expired
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you’re applying for a child under 16
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you’ve not yet paid the £100 fee
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you need to provide more documents or information
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you need to attend an online or in-person appointment
Your travel plans (countries and dates) will be printed on your emergency travel document.
Do not book your travel until you get an email telling you how and when you can get your emergency travel document.
If your travel plans change, you’ll need to reapply and pay £100 again.
If your destination is the UK, border control will keep your emergency travel document when you arrive. This could also happen in other countries.
Documents you’ll need to send or bring to an appointment
You’ll need:
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a recent passport-quality photo
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proof of your travel plans, such as booking confirmations (or detailed written travel plans if you can’t book ahead)
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your passport if you have it
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a police report if your passport has been stolen
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proof of residency if your final destination is outside the EU
Apply if you have not had a UK passport issued on or after 1st January 2006
Check that you are eligible for an emergency travel document before applying.
Complete the contact form to apply.
After you apply
You’ll be asked to provide evidence of:
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your British nationality, or eligibility for British nationality
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your exceptional circumstances
You may have to personally have to go to the Consulate in Alicante, A taxi will cost in the region of 75€ - 90€ each way. If has been stolen it has to be reported to either the Guardia Civil or the National Police and a police crime number obtained.
The Consulate is open between 8.30 am and 1.30 pm Monday to Friday.
British Consulate Alicante
Edificio Espacio
Rambla Méndez Núñez 28-32
6ª planta
03002 Alicante
Spain
Email
Fax +34 965 14 05 28 (Consular phone lines are open from 8am to 4pm)
Telephone enquiries:
+34 965 21 60 22
The chances of your travel insurance paying for extra accommodation and travel to the consulate is dependent on which company and policy type you have - check the terms and conditions beforehand.
Lost or Stolen Passport, what to do - IRISH Passport
1. If your passport is lost or stolen you must immediately report this to your nearest Comisaría (police station) and make a report (denuncia).
You can make a police report in two different ways:
i) In person: A list of police stations in the different regions of Spain is available. It is important to note that English language interpreters are not always available at short notice: it may be advisable to bring a Spanish-speaking person with you.
ii) Online: It is no longer possible to make a police report over the phone in English in Spain. If you have been a victim of a theft or robbery in Spain you can report the incident to the National Police in English online using the "Virtual Complaints Office”
The police report will sometimes be accepted by some airlines in lieu of a passport, and this may allow you to travel back to Ireland. However, you should always check with your airline before going to the airport.
2. If your airline will not accept the police report, you should contact the Embassy or your nearest Honorary Consulate to make arrangements for an alternative travel document.
Minimum requirements to apply for an Emergency Travel Document:
- Your original police report
- Two passport photographs
- Proof of your flight home
- Evidence of your identity/citizenship. If you do not have alternative photo ID with you in Spain, you may be asked to provide additional documents relating to your identity and citizenship
- The relevant fee currently this is 30€
- Depending on your situation, we may require additional evidence in support of your application
Please bear in mind this service is not available outside of office hours except in case of emergency. You may need to arrange a new flight to allow you time to obtain a travel document.
3. If you are in an emergency situation requiring urgent travel (such as the death or serious illness of a family member)
Contact the Embassy, by phoning +34 914364093 (outside normal working hours). You will be asked to leave a message on the answering machine. The answering machine is monitored regularly, and the Duty Officer at the Embassy will contact you as soon as possible. When you leave a message, remember to state your name, telephone number, the nature of the emergency, and where you are now.
The Honorary Consulate General in Alicante covers the Autonomous Regions of Valencia and Murcia
Mr. Rory Byrne
Honorary Consul General of Ireland
Ctra. De Madrid Km 4, Mercalicante
03007 Alicante
Spain
Tel: +34 965 107 485
Fax: +34 965 113 519
E-mail:
Consulate Opening hours: 9.30am-1.45pm (Monday - Friday).
SO, THE MAIN MESSAGE IS TO LOOK AFTER YOUR PASSPORT WHEN ON HOLIDAY, TAKE A COPY OUT WITH YOU AND LEAVE THE ORIGINAL LOCKED IN THE SAFE.