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If you lose your Republic of Korea passport abroad, report it to the local police. You must also report the loss to a Korean diplomatic mission. If your return home is imminent, ask about getting an emergency passport. After receiving a new passport, you must also check local departure requirements.
The fees follow Ministry of Foreign Affairs guidance effective March 1, 2026.
Steps for Reporting a Lost Passport Abroad
File separate reports with the local police and the Republic of Korea passport authorities. The police record the loss or theft. Korean diplomatic missions handle Republic of Korea passport services abroad.
- Contact the Republic of Korea embassy or consulate general responsible for your area. Ask which police station to report to and how to visit the consular service office.
- Report the loss or theft to the local police. Obtain the original loss report certificate issued by the police.
- Report your passport as lost to a Korean diplomatic mission. You can also file a report through Government24 or the Overseas Koreans 365 Civil Service Portal.
- Prepare the required documents and apply for a replacement at the diplomatic mission. Provide your scheduled departure date and full travel itinerary.
- After receiving your new passport, check what follow-up steps are required before departure. Ask your airline how to update your passport information.
Lost passports can be misused for crimes such as forgery or alteration. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' “Crisis Response Manual” advises bringing a police certificate. Ask the diplomatic mission about any additional documents required by the country where you are staying. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Loss and Theft Response Manual
Can I Use a Passport If I Find It After Reporting It Lost?
A passport reported as lost cannot be used again. Before reporting it, you can check whether a diplomatic mission or another office has received your passport as lost property. Once you have reported it, you must travel with a new passport even if you find the old one.
A passport reported as lost is immediately invalidated and cannot be used even if it is found again.
The statement above is a precaution from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' “Lost and Found Passports” guidance. A passport reported as lost only to the local police may also be subject to entry and exit restrictions. In this case, obtain a new passport from a diplomatic mission as well. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lost and Found Passport Guidance
Prepare the required documents to apply for a replacement passport at a Korean diplomatic mission.
Documents Needed When Visiting a Diplomatic Mission
Prepare the basic documents, but confirm the final list with the mission you will visit. The number of photos and any additional certificates may vary by country. If you have also lost your identification, tell the mission before your visit.
| Item | Preparation requirements and points to check |
|---|---|
| Police-issued loss certificate | Bring the original; check the local document name and where it is issued |
| Passport loss report form | Describe how the passport was lost and enter the previous passport's details |
| Passport application form | Complete it for the type of passport you are applying for |
| Identification | A resident registration card or another document that can verify your identity |
| Copy of the previous passport | Bring it if you have one; it serves as supporting material for identity verification |
| Passport photo | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' basic document list requires 1 photo; check any additional mission requirements |
| Family relationship certificates | Submission may be waived if the information can be verified through administrative records |
| Flight ticket or reservation details | For checking your departure schedule and itinerary |
| Fee | Check the amount in local currency and the payment method |
| Statement of reasons for an emergency passport application | Prepare this when applying for an emergency passport |
Prepare a passport photo taken within the past 6 months. Not all missions have photo equipment. The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Oman states that its consular service office has no photo equipment. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Basic Required Documents, Embassy in Oman Travel Guide
Emergency Passports Compared with Standard Electronic Passports
Choose based on the time remaining before departure and your itinerary. An emergency passport is a non-electronic passport issued for urgent reasons. It may be issued when you are deemed unable to wait for an electronic passport.
| Category | Emergency passport | Standard electronic passport |
|---|---|---|
| When to consider it | When it is difficult to wait for an electronic passport to be issued | When you can wait for issuance and collection |
| Passport format | A single-use passport without an electronic chip | A passport with an electronic chip |
| Validity | 1 year | Determined by age, issuance conditions, and other factors |
| Number of uses | 1 round trip from the place of issuance | Multiple-use passports have no limit on trips during their validity |
| Collection timeline | Check with the mission based on the application submission time | Confirm the collection timeline, including production and shipping |
| Checks before travel | Conditions for accepting non-electronic passports at your destination and transit points | Entry and transit requirements at your destination and transit points |
An emergency passport cannot be used repeatedly, even if it has not expired. You cannot obtain an emergency passport if your identity cannot be verified. You are also ineligible if you have lost your passport at least 3 times within 5 years. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Emergency Passport Guidance
A single-use passport is limited to 1 departure and 1 entry from the place of issuance. A multiple-use passport has no limit on the number of trips until it expires. Whether you are actually admitted depends on the requirements of the country you visit. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Passport Type Guidance
Passport Replacement Fees and Processing Times
The standard fee for an emergency passport abroad is US$50. This amount applies from March 1, 2026. Check the fee schedule of the mission where you will apply for the amount payable in local currency.
| Issuance category | Fee at diplomatic missions | Applicable conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency passport | US$50 | Standard fee |
| Reduced emergency passport fee | US$17 | When supporting documents concerning a relative's death or critical illness are submitted |
| 10-year multiple-use electronic passport, 58 pages | US$52 | If eligible for a 10-year passport |
| 10-year multiple-use electronic passport, 26 pages | US$49 | If eligible for a 10-year passport |
| Passport with the remaining validity period | US$27 | When the remaining validity period of the previous passport is carried over |
The electronic passport fees in the table include the international exchange contribution. Different passport types and fees apply to minors and others. Budget separately for photos and transportation. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fee Guidance, Notice of Diplomatic Mission Fees Effective March 2026
Ask the mission whether you can receive an emergency passport on the day you apply. The Embassy in Thailand states that afternoon applications are issued on the next working day. For a standard electronic passport, ask about the collection date, including production and shipping. Embassy in Thailand Lost Passport Guidance
