When travelling, there are three things you don’t want to lose: Your luggage, your money and your passport. While the first two are frustrating, losing your passport while travelling can be very scary. Your passport is one of the most essential documents you’ll ever own. It’s what enables you to leave the country, visit other countries, and return home. That power is why criminals will sometimes target travellers.
A Canadian passport is among the best in the world, making it a prime target. That said, there are also many accidental ways to lose it while travelling. It can slip out of your pocket or be dropped in an inaccessible place. If you’re in a situation where you have a lost Canadian passport while travelling, fret not – here’s what you need to do!
Contact the Canadian Government Immediately
The Canadian government has established basic rules and regulations regarding lost or stolen passports. The first step is to report your passport as missing to the Canadian government. It’s important to do this as soon as possible! The passport must be marked invalid to prevent criminals from using it.
If you are travelling within Canada, you can call directly at 1-800-567-6868. If you find yourself with a lost Canadian passport while travelling in another country, you should go to the local Canadian embassy or consulate. You can find a complete list for each country here.
Report Theft of your Lost Canadian Passport to Local Police
If your passport was stolen, the next step is to report it to the local police. They will document and investigate. While they may not recover the passport, it may help them identify thieves. If you report the theft or loss of your passport to the Canadian government first, then you don’t need to worry.
Get a New Canadian Passport
When you report your passport missing, you can also begin the process of issuing a new or temporary one. It’s important to remember that your passport is no longer valid once it’s lost, even if it is found or returned. This rule prevents any fraudulent attempts. It’s also important to remember that Border Crossings is not responsible for any issues that may arise when using a passport reported lost or stolen.
Call about a lost passport:
- 1 800 567 6868 (Canada and the US)
- Call 1 888 242 2100 to report lost or stolen refugee travel documents and certificates of identity
If you are outside Canada, report to the nearest Government of Canada office abroad. Find the list of embassy consulates here.
You will need a list of completed documents to obtain the new passport. This usually includes:
- A completed application signed by a guarantor
- Two copies of a passport photo
- Proof of Canadian citizenship
- A declaration about the loss or theft
- The filing fees
Additionally, you should check whether you are eligible to renew your passport rather than apply for a new one. Use the Government of Canada’s passport renewal tool to see if you qualify. You can just do it here. Renewing your passport requires paying the regular fee and a replacement fee, and submitting an additional form.
If you must apply for a new passport, click here. If you are applying for a new passport, complete the usual application.
Please note that you cannot renew a child’s passport if it is lost or stolen; you must apply for a new one. Besides filling out the standard application, you must submit a declaration form stating what happened to the child’s original passport, along with paying fees for both a new passport and a replacement passport.
What to Do With a Lost Canadian Passport if You Find One
Whether it’s your own or someone else’s, there are proper steps to take when you’ve retrieved a passport. You must return it to the Government of Canada along with a letter describing how you found the passport. Once again, even if it’s yours, you cannot use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen for travel.
If you are in Canada when you find the passport, you can return it in person to a passport office, an RCMP office, or a local police station. You can also mail it along with the letter to:
- Centralized Network – Passport Protection, 3rd Floor, Gatineau, QC K1A 1L1, Canada
If you find a passport abroad, return it to your nearest Government of Canada office.
What To Do if Your Passport is Damaged
If your passport has been damaged, it’s essential to apply for a new one. A damaged passport can result in denied entry to border crossings or flights. Border crossing agents or airlines have the authority to refuse entry or exit, depending on the state of your passport.
A damaged passport includes:
- A passport that makes it challenging to identify the owner
- A passport that appears falsified or changed
- Has been denied by an airline
- Has pages removed
- Has unauthorized markings
- Teared pages
- Has been exposed to water
- Has bite marks from a pet
- The photo or information has been changed illegally
- The cover and the inside pages have been separated
- Looks generally damaged
To be sure, you can visit a passport office or contact your airline before you leave to make sure your passport is in good condition. If not, please take a look at our instructions for applying for a new one.
Passport is Inaccessible: Now What?
If you are applying for a foreign visa, for example, and need to travel, contact the Government of Canada and submit proof of your passport’s location and the reason for your travel in the meantime. There are two other ways to make your life a little easier if you have a stolen or lost Canadian passport while travelling. The first is to have a good travel insurance policy. Your policy can help cover the costs of obtaining a new passport and returning to Canada. The second is to have photos of your important documents saved in a secure folder on a portable device. This can help with acquiring new travel documents and verifying current information.
Lost Canadian Passports: Conclusion
Losing or having your passport stolen while travelling can be exceptionally stressful. If you want to avoid that stress, take great care of all your personal belongings. It is one of the most important documents that you will ever own! But theft and accidents do occur. Fortunately, Canada has consulates and embassies in many major cities worldwide, which will make your life much easier.
For further information, visit canada.ca.
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