Losing a Philippine passport is more than a simple inconvenience; it is a security risk and a legal matter. Under Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the "Philippine Passport Act of 1996," a passport is the property of the State. Its loss must be handled with specific statutory procedures to prevent identity theft and unauthorized use.

If you find yourself in this situation, here is the legal and procedural roadmap for reporting, canceling, and replacing your lost travel document.

1. Immediate Legal Actions

When a passport is lost, the law requires the holder to take immediate steps to ensure the document is "frozen" and eventually canceled in the system of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Execute an Affidavit of Loss: You must execute a sworn statement (Affidavit of Loss) before a Notary Public. This document should detail the circumstances of the loss (where, when, and how it happened). If the passport is still valid, the affidavit must be detailed.
Police Report: If the passport was stolen (not just misplaced), a Police Report from the local precinct where the theft occurred is required.
Notification of the DFA: While the formal report happens during the replacement application, the physical act of submitting the Affidavit of Loss to the DFA officially triggers the cancellation of the lost document.

2. The Cancellation Process

Once a passport is reported as lost to the DFA, it is immediately and permanently cancelled in the system.

[!IMPORTANT] A cancelled passport cannot be "un-cancelled." Even if you find your old passport after filing the Affidavit of Loss, it is legally dead. Do not attempt to use it for travel, as it will be flagged at Bureau of Immigration (BI) counters.

3. Applying for a Replacement

The process for replacing a lost passport is treated differently than a standard renewal. It involves a "clearing period" to ensure the loss wasn't fraudulent.

Step 1: Secure an Appointment

You must book an appointment through the DFA Online Appointment System. Select the "New Application" or "Lost Passport" category as prompted by the portal.

Step 2: Required Documents

You will need to present the following at your appointment:

Confirmed Online Appointment.
Accomplished Application Form.
Affidavit of Loss (duly notarized).
Police Report (if the lost passport is still valid and the loss was due to theft).
PSA Birth Certificate (to re-verify your identity).
Valid Government-Issued ID (plus one photocopy).
Photocopy of the lost passport (if available; this speeds up the verification).

Step 3: The 15-Day Clearing Period

For lost valid passports, there is a mandatory 15-calendar-day clearing period. During this time, the DFA verifies that the passport has not been used for suspicious activities. Your new passport will only be processed after this period has lapsed.

Note: If the lost passport was already expired, the 15-day clearing period is usually waived.

4. Fees and Penalties

Replacing a lost passport is more expensive than a regular renewal due to the additional administrative work and penalties involved.

Item	Estimated Cost
Regular Processing	₱950.00
Expedited Processing	₱1,200.00
Penalty Fee (Lost Valid Passport)	₱350.00
Penalty Fee (Lost Expired Passport)	No Penalty (standard fees apply)

5. Special Cases

Lost Abroad: If you lose your passport while traveling outside the Philippines, you must report the loss to the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate. They can issue a Travel Document (valid for a one-way trip back to the Philippines) or process a replacement passport.
Mutilated Passports: If the passport is physically damaged (e.g., washed, torn, or has missing pages), it is treated similarly to a lost passport. You must submit an Affidavit of Mutilation and surrender the damaged passport.

Summary of Checklist

Notarized Affidavit of Loss.
Police Report (if stolen).
PSA Birth Certificate.
Valid ID.
DFA Online Appointment.
Payment of fees + Penalty.

Would you like me to help you draft a template for an Affidavit of Loss that you can take to a Notary Public?