Replacing Your Passport After A Disaster

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When you return home after a major disaster, you may find that your passport is lost or damaged. We understand this is a stressful time and are here to help you replace your passport.

Federal law allows us to waive passport application and file search fees for those who have a lost or damaged passport after certain eligible major disasters. The law says:

  • The application fee can be waived for three years after the disaster.

  • The file search fee can be waived for 18 months after the disaster.  

  • We can only waive fees for customers who were impacted by disasters listed on this webpage.

  • Your passport fees cannot reimbursed by other sources, such as a homeowner's insurance policy.

You will not qualify for a fee waiver if:

  • You've never had a passport.

  • You lost an expired passport.

  • Your passport was lost or damaged in a disaster other than one listed on this webpage.

If you are not eligible for a fee waiver, follow the steps on our Apply in Person page.

What makes a passport damaged?

Normal "wear and tear" such as folded pages or a small bend do not count as damage. Damage includes stains from a liquid, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), or a hole punch.

Steps to Apply

  1. Complete Form DS-5504 (Replacement Passport Form)

  2. Get a new passport photo

  3. Complete Form DS-64 (Lost and Stolen Passport Form). Include:

    • The name of the disaster that caused your loss 

    • The address where you lost your passport  

    • The approximate date when the loss happened

    • A statement that your passport fees will not be reimbursed by other sources, such as a homeowner's insurance policy

  4. Submit your application

    • Traveling in more than 3 weeks? Mail Form DS-5504 (with new passport photo) and Form DS-64 to one of the two addresses listed on Page 2 of Form DS-5504.    

    • Traveling in less than 3 weeks? Make an appointment to apply at a passport agency or center. 

Originally posted in: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/replacing-your-passport-through-the-disaster-recovery-reform-act.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1cWviZo96lls3sLk4oORcN-Xk6YyKK2Ild3P6OINxQi9ZU0D_fqFIWZs8_aem_cxDYvLOFIGCyhJju5LUy-A

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