Replacing your Lost or Expired Passport outside the UK

and/or

Obtaining a Replacement Emergency Travel Document

On 14 February (St Valentine's Day), Don wrote:

From the 12th February 2013, the system has changed if you have to renew/or lose your passport while abroad.

I've only checked 3 countries (Turkey, Bulgaria and Norway) for these you must apply to the UK (Liverpool) for a new passport see https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

This could cause problems for travellers who lose their passports as they are quoting 4 weeks from receiving applications in Liverpool.

One can still apply for a emergency travel document see http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/passports1/passports-a-to-z/e-topics/emergency-travel

I would suggest that you check the procedure for any country you plan to visit before leaving home.

Don Madge

We looked into this procedure for our present location in Spain:

Renewal or Replacement of a British Passport in Spain

Subtitles: Don't Ever Lose your Passport! Guide it with your Life! Don't Let it out of your Sight!

In Spain, a passport has to be renewed or replaced through the British Embassy in Madrid. This process takes at least 6 weeks.  The cost is 180 euros which includes a compulsory 24 euro fee for the courier delivery of the new passport to you within Spain. You are advised to send your application to the Embassy by courier, at your own expense.

The application form can be downloaded from the FCO website and returned with two photographs which fit strict requirements. Payment can be by either Visa or Master Card, but you must download, complete and send the credit card authorisation form which can also be downloaded. Your old passport must be surrended unless it has been lost or stolen (in which case complete a separate Lost or Stolen Passport Notification form, also downloadable from the internet). Include the police report you obtained when you reported to them the loss of theft of your passport.

If you are not returning your old passport, you must include your full original birth certificate (not a copy). If you were born after 30 December 1982, the full original birth certificate is required in any case.

In the case of loss or theft, it's a good idea to have a photocopy of the key page in the passport kept safely.

The Replacement Emergency Travel Document

This can be provided for urgent travel when the passport has been lost or while waiting for it to be replaced. It requires a personal visit to the embassy. An explanatory leaflet and an application form can be downloaded. A fee must be paid. The Document is issued only for a pre-specified itinerary to a destination country via a maximum of 5 countries. This itinerary cannot be changed.  If a single journey is back to the UK, the document is taken off you at the UK border.

In addition to the application form, you may well need two photographs, a form of identification (eg a driving licence) and, if appropriate, the Lost or Stolen Passport Notification form.

Useful Links Applicable to all Countries

Smart Application form for a New Passport (complete on screen then print):
http://centralcontent.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/central-content-pdfs/5619320/smart-form.pdf

Application form for a New Passport (print and complete with a black pen):
http://centralcontent.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/central-content-pdfs/form-c1.pdf

Notes on Completing the Application:
http://centralcontent.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/central-content-pdfs/form-c1-notes.pdf

Rules on Passport Photographs:
https://www.gov.uk/photos-for-passports

Credit Authorisation Form:
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/4758385/credit-card-authorisation-slip

Application form for Emergency Travel Document:
http://centralcontent.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/central-content-pdfs/5619320/etd-rest-of-word.pdf

Notes on Completing the Emergency Travel Document:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2855621/etd.pdf

Lost Passport Report:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/ls01

Barry and Margaret Williamson