Lost, stolen or damaged passport: the first steps that matter

What to do when a travel document problem happens before or during a trip.

Treat the document as sensitive

A passport contains identity information and should be treated as a high-sensitivity document. If it is lost or stolen, follow the Government of Canada reporting and replacement process as soon as possible.

Do not reuse a passport reported lost or stolen

Official guidance warns against travelling with a passport that was reported lost or stolen and later found. Its status may already have been cancelled for security reasons.

If the passport is damaged

Damage can affect whether a document is accepted. If there is visible damage to the cover, pages or data page, check official replacement guidance before travelling.

Independent information only

Online does not replace passports, contact consulates on a reader’s behalf or collect identity documents. Our role is to point readers toward safer preparation habits and authoritative public sources.