Quick answer

If a Philippine passport is lost or stolen, report it to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)—or to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate if you are abroad—and arrange for a replacement. Under the New Philippine Passport Act, the loss or destruction of a passport must be immediately reported by submitting an affidavit describing in detail how the passport was lost or destroyed. The DFA also maintains records of lost and stolen passports in its passport database. (Lawphil)

For a lost or stolen passport that is still valid, the DFA currently treats the replacement as a new passport application. In the Philippines, the applicant generally needs an online appointment, personal appearance, an Affidavit of Loss in English, and a police report in English. There is also an additional 15-business-day clearing period before processing of the replacement and a ₱350 penalty fee for the lost passport. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

If the passport was already expired when it was lost, the DFA likewise treats the case as a new application, but its published domestic requirements generally require an Affidavit of Loss without the police report required for a lost valid passport. Requirements at Philippine embassies and consulates abroad can differ, so applicants overseas should follow the instructions of the Foreign Service Post handling their application. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Do not wait until the day before a flight. A lost valid passport is subject to the additional clearing period, and ordinary passport processing still follows afterward.

First step: report the loss promptly

Section 15 of Republic Act No. 11983, the New Philippine Passport Act, provides that the loss or destruction of a passport must be immediately reported to the DFA or a Philippine Foreign Service Post by submitting an affidavit that states the circumstances in detail. (Lawphil)

The affidavit should accurately explain matters such as:

when you last had the passport;
when and where you discovered it was missing;
where you believe it was lost or stolen;
how the loss or theft occurred, if known;
what efforts you made to locate it; and
identifying information about the lost passport, if available.

If the passport was stolen, report the theft to the police as soon as reasonably possible. For a lost valid passport, a police report is part of the DFA's published replacement requirements even when the circumstances involve simple loss rather than theft. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

The affidavit and police report should be truthful and consistent with each other. Republic Act No. 11983 makes knowingly making a false statement in an affidavit declaring a passport or travel document lost or destroyed a criminal offense. The statutory penalty is imprisonment of six years and one day to twelve years and a fine of ₱100,000 to ₱250,000. (Lawphil)

If the lost or stolen passport is still valid

A lost valid ePassport is treated by the DFA as a new passport application, rather than an ordinary renewal.

For an adult applicant applying in the Philippines, prepare the applicable new-application requirements together with the additional lost-passport documents. The DFA's published requirements specifically identify:

an online passport appointment;
personal appearance;
the passport application form;
a police report in English, original and photocopy;
an Affidavit of Loss in English, original and photocopy;
a photocopy of the lost passport's data page, if available;
acceptable proof of identity; and
other documents required for a new passport application, where applicable.

If a photocopy of the applicant's last issued passport is available, the DFA states that the birth certificate need not ordinarily be submitted for this particular lost-passport requirement. If no passport copy is available, a PSA-issued birth certificate and the documentary requirements applicable to a new application may be required. The evaluating consular officer can require additional documents when necessary to establish identity, citizenship, or the absence of a legal travel restriction. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

The 15-business-day clearing period

The DFA expressly imposes an additional 15 business days of clearing before processing a replacement for a lost valid passport. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

That period is important when travel is approaching. It is not merely the ordinary passport printing or delivery period. Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that paying for expedited processing will eliminate the clearing requirement.

Do not purchase a non-refundable international ticket based solely on the normal processing period for an ordinary passport renewal.

If the lost passport was already expired

A lost expired ePassport is also treated by the DFA as a new application.

Under the DFA's published domestic requirements, the additional requirements include:

an Affidavit of Loss in English; and
the applicable ₱350 lost-passport penalty fee.

A police report is not listed by the DFA's central domestic requirements as an additional requirement for a lost expired passport. The 15-business-day clearing period is likewise specifically stated for lost valid passports, not for lost expired passports. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

If you are applying abroad, however, do not assume that the Philippine Embassy or Consulate will use exactly the same documentary checklist. Some Foreign Service Posts require a local police report even in circumstances where the lost passport has expired. Follow the current instructions of the particular post where you will apply.

How much does replacement cost in the Philippines?

The DFA's published passport procedures list the ordinary domestic passport processing fees at ₱950 for regular processing or ₱1,200 for expedited processing, with an online appointment convenience fee where applicable. A ₱350 additional penalty fee applies to lost passports. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Fees and payment channels can be revised, so use the amount generated by the official DFA appointment system when booking.

Fees charged by Philippine embassies and consulates abroad are different and are normally denominated in the local currency or the applicable consular fee schedule. Do not use the Philippine peso figures above as the amount payable overseas.

What if the passport was stolen together with your wallet or bag?

Treat the passport as a priority document.

First, obtain a police report describing the theft and identifying the passport among the missing items if possible. Preserve the police report or reference number.

Then report the passport loss through the DFA replacement process or, if abroad, through the Philippine Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your location.

It is also prudent to preserve copies of:

the passport data page, if you have one;
photographs or scans of the passport;
visas or residence permits that were inside or associated with it;
the police report;
the Affidavit of Loss;
airline bookings and travel itineraries;
government-issued identification;
immigration or residence documents;
emails or correspondence with the DFA or Philippine Foreign Service Post; and
any CCTV, incident report, hotel report, transport report, or similar record showing how the theft occurred.

These materials may help establish identity, explain the circumstances of the loss, or deal separately with immigration authorities or foreign visa issuers.

A replacement Philippine passport does not automatically replace a foreign visa, residence permit, or other document that was in the stolen passport. Contact the government that issued the visa or permit for its own replacement or transfer procedure.

What if the passport is lost while you are abroad?

Contact the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible.

The New Philippine Passport Act expressly authorizes Philippine Foreign Service Posts to provide passport and travel-document services overseas. It also establishes emergency travel documents for Filipinos who lose their passports while abroad. (Lawphil)

Depending on the circumstances, the law provides for:

Emergency Passport. This may be issued to a Filipino traveler who loses a passport abroad and has a justified need to complete intended overseas travel before returning to the Philippines or to the person's residence abroad. The statute provides a validity period of one year from issuance. (Lawphil)

Emergency Travel Certificate. This may be issued to a Filipino returning to the Philippines who has lost a passport overseas or cannot be issued a regular passport. Under Republic Act No. 11983, its validity may run from 30 days up to six months from issuance. (Lawphil)

Actual availability, documentary requirements, fees, appointments, and issuance procedures should be confirmed directly with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate concerned. Current consular guidance for emergency return travel commonly asks for documents such as a local police report, Affidavit of Loss, evidence of Philippine citizenship or identity, photographs, and proof of intended return travel. (DFA Manado PCG)

If your flight is imminent, tell the Embassy or Consulate the actual departure date and provide your itinerary. Do not assume that an ordinary replacement passport can be produced before the flight.

What if a lost passport is later found?

Do not simply resume using it.

Republic Act No. 11983 specifically provides that a person who later finds a passport that had been reported lost must turn it over to the DFA. If physically turning it over is not feasible, the law requires an affidavit stating where the passport is located and who has possession of it. (Lawphil)

This rule is particularly important because the DFA passport database contains records of lost and stolen passports. (Lawphil)

If you find the passport after already reporting it lost, contact the DFA or the Philippine Embassy or Consulate before attempting any international travel with it.

What if you have no photocopy of the lost passport?

You can still apply for replacement.

The absence of a photocopy may mean that the DFA will require additional proof of citizenship and identity. The DFA's published lost-passport requirements state that if a photocopy of the last issued passport is available, the birth certificate may not be required; conversely, when no copy is available, a PSA-issued birth certificate and other new-application documents may be necessary. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Before going to the DFA, check whether you have a copy in:

old visa applications;
employment or HR records;
travel-agency records;
cloud storage;
email attachments;
immigration files;
previous online applications; or
photographs taken for travel purposes.

Use only genuine copies. Never alter a passport image or reconstruct information that you do not actually know.

What if the lost passport belongs to a child?

A lost passport belonging to a minor requires the minor's application to comply with the rules applicable to minor passport applicants.

For a lost valid passport, the DFA states that the police report must be filed by the parent, legal guardian, or authorized person who will accompany the minor, and the Affidavit of Loss must likewise be signed by the appropriate accompanying adult. The additional 15-business-day clearing period applies to a lost valid passport. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

The New Philippine Passport Act permits a minor's passport application to be filed by either parent. If someone other than the parents files it, a Special Power of Attorney executed by the person exercising parental authority is generally required, subject to the applicable rules and special circumstances. (Lawphil)

Because custody, guardianship, adoption, parental authority, and unaccompanied-minor cases may require additional documents, check the exact DFA checklist before the appointment.

Practical step-by-step guide

Search carefully but do not delay reporting an actual loss. Check your home, vehicle, hotel, luggage, office, airline, transportation provider, and lost-and-found offices.
If stolen, report it to the police. Obtain an official police report. For a lost valid passport in the Philippines, the DFA requires a police report in English even where theft is not alleged. (Department of Foreign Affairs)
Prepare an accurate Affidavit of Loss. Explain when, where, and how the passport disappeared. Republic Act No. 11983 requires prompt reporting to the DFA or Foreign Service Post through an affidavit detailing the circumstances. (Lawphil)
Locate a passport photocopy if possible. A copy of the data page can simplify documentary requirements.
Gather proof of identity and citizenship. If no passport copy is available, be prepared to present the PSA and identification documents required for a new passport application.
Book only through official channels. Use the DFA's official passport appointment system. Republic Act No. 11983 expressly penalizes unauthorized persons who profit from facilitating passport applications or hoard and sell appointment slots. (Lawphil)
Appear personally when required. Passport applications ordinarily involve biometric and biographic data capture. (Lawphil)
Allow extra time for a lost valid passport. Factor in the 15-business-day clearing period before ordinary processing. (Department of Foreign Affairs)
If abroad and travel is urgent, contact the Philippine post immediately. Ask whether an emergency passport, emergency travel certificate, or other appropriate document is available for your circumstances.
If the old passport turns up later, surrender or report it to the DFA. Do not simply put it back into use. (Lawphil)

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting until immediately before travel

The additional clearing period for a lost valid passport can make last-minute replacement impossible through the ordinary process.

Treating a lost passport as an ordinary renewal

The DFA treats lost valid and lost expired passports as new applications, with additional documentary requirements. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Preparing only an Affidavit of Loss for a valid passport

A lost valid passport also requires a police report under the DFA's published domestic requirements. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Giving an inaccurate account of what happened

Do not guess dates, invent a theft, or state that a passport was lost if another person actually has it. False statements in a lost-passport affidavit can carry serious criminal penalties. (Lawphil)

Paying fixers for appointments

Use official DFA channels. The New Philippine Passport Act specifically penalizes unauthorized passport facilitation for profit and the hoarding or sale of passport appointment slots. (Lawphil)

Trying to use the old passport after finding it

Once a passport has been reported lost, follow the DFA's instructions. The statute expressly requires a subsequently recovered passport to be turned over to the DFA. (Lawphil)

When help is urgent

Contact the DFA or the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate immediately if:

the passport was stolen while you are abroad;
your departure for the Philippines is imminent;
you are stranded in another country;
your visa or residence permit was also lost;
you have no other Philippine identification or proof of citizenship;
the passport belongs to a minor whose parents or legal guardian are unavailable;
another person is unlawfully withholding your passport;
someone appears to be using your passport or identity;
immigration authorities have detained you because you have no travel document; or
the circumstances of the loss make an ordinary replacement application impractical.

Republic Act No. 11983 also provides that a Philippine passport remains government property and generally may not be confiscated or withheld without legal authority. Unauthorized withholding is separately penalized under the Act. (Lawphil)

FAQ

Can I renew a lost passport normally?

No. The DFA currently treats a lost valid or lost expired passport as a new application, with additional lost-passport requirements. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Is a police report required?

For a lost valid passport in the Philippines, yes. The DFA requires a police report in English together with the Affidavit of Loss. For a lost expired passport, the DFA's central domestic checklist does not ordinarily require a police report, although a Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad may have different requirements. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Is there a waiting period?

For a lost valid passport, the DFA imposes an additional 15-business-day clearing period before replacement processing. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Is there a penalty fee?

Yes. The DFA currently lists an additional ₱350 penalty fee for a lost passport application in the Philippines. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Do I need my PSA birth certificate?

It depends. The DFA states that if a photocopy of the last issued passport is available, the birth certificate is generally not required for the lost-passport application. If no passport copy is available, the PSA birth certificate and other new-application documents may be required. (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Can I travel using the passport if I find it after reporting it lost?

Do not do so without DFA instructions. The New Philippine Passport Act requires a passport that is later recovered after being reported lost to be turned over to the DFA. (Lawphil)

What can I do if I lose my passport abroad and need to come home urgently?

Contact the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate. Republic Act No. 11983 provides for emergency travel documents, including an Emergency Travel Certificate for Filipinos returning to the Philippines when a regular passport cannot be issued in time. (Lawphil)

Official sources

Republic Act No. 11983 — New Philippine Passport Act: Lawphil text of Republic Act No. 11983
DFA requirements for passport renewal and lost-passport cases: DFA passport requirements
Official passport appointment portal: DFA Passport Appointment System
DFA directory of Consular Offices in the Philippines: DFA Office of Consular Affairs directory

General-information disclaimer

This article provides general Philippine legal and procedural information and is not a substitute for advice regarding a particular passport, immigration status, visa, criminal complaint, custody issue, or urgent travel situation. DFA requirements may vary according to the applicant's circumstances, the type and status of the lost passport, and the Philippine Embassy or Consulate handling an overseas application. Confirm the current checklist, appointment procedure, and fees with the DFA or the appropriate Foreign Service Post before filing.

Sources checked: August 26, 2026.