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What to do if…
your travel companion loses their passport and you need to manage bookings and plans immediately

Short answer

Get to a calm “admin base”, cancel the missing passport, and start an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) application so you can make realistic booking decisions today.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep searching for hours before cancelling it — cancelling reduces misuse risk.
  • Don’t pay anyone who approaches offering “passport help” or “fast-track” services.
  • Don’t change every booking immediately “just in case” — first confirm what’s truly required for the next 24–48 hours.
  • Don’t assume you’ll be issued a full replacement passport quickly while abroad — typically urgent travel is handled via an ETD.
  • Don’t hand over your own passport or bank cards “to help” unless you’re in a trusted official setting (airline desk, police station, consulate).

What to do now

  1. Pause and set up a 20–30 minute “admin base”. Sit somewhere safe with power and Wi-Fi (hotel lobby, airport, café). One person does calls; the other gathers details.
  2. Do a fast “last known location” check (5 minutes max). Pockets/bags, hotel safe, reception lost-property, the last transport seat, and any locker. Then stop and move on.
  3. Cancel the missing UK passport immediately (online if possible). Do this as soon as you can to reduce fraud risk. You can report/cancel for someone else if they cannot do it themselves.
  4. If theft is suspected, report to local police and ask for something you can keep. Ideally a written report; if that’s not possible, ask for an incident/reference number or a brief note of attendance. This can help with insurance and explanations later.
  5. Start the Emergency Travel Document (ETD) route now (same session).
    • If your companion has previously held a UK passport issued on or after 1 January 2006, they can usually apply online.
    • If they have not had one issued on/after that date, they may still be able to apply only for travel that is urgent and essential, with evidence (assessed case-by-case).
  6. Collect the minimum “proof pack” for the ETD and bookings. Aim to have:
    • A clear photo/scan of the lost passport (even an old photo helps)
    • Another photo ID if they have it (driving licence, national ID card, etc.)
    • A digital passport-style photo that meets the rules
    • Travel itinerary: flight numbers, dates, booking references
    • Local address/phone number where you can be reached
  7. Contact your airline (or open live chat) with a single, specific question:
    “Passenger has no passport today; we are applying for a UK Emergency Travel Document. What do you need from us to keep this booking viable, and by when?”
  8. Stabilise the rest of the trip plan with a quick triage list. Write three headings: Must happen, Can move, Can cancel. Examples:
    • Must happen: tonight’s accommodation, tomorrow’s flight, a border crossing
    • Can move: tours, internal trains, car hire pickup time
    • Can cancel: optional activities
  9. Contact accommodation next (if you’re worried about check-in rules). Ask if they require the missing passport for the room, or if another ID + booking confirmation is acceptable.
  10. Notify your travel insurer as soon as you can (same day). Ask what evidence they require (police report/reference, confirmation you cancelled the passport, receipts) before you spend money changing plans.
  11. If any visas/permits were in that passport, flag it now. A new travel document/passport number can affect eVisas/permits for some destinations. Don’t guess — note which upcoming border crossing might be impacted and check the destination’s official immigration guidance once the ETD path is underway.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether to apply for a full replacement passport from abroad or wait until home — focus on the ETD and the next travel leg.
  • You do not need to cancel all future bookings right now — first learn the airline/entry requirements and ETD appointment/collection timeline.
  • You do not need to resolve “who pays” or split costs while stressed — record receipts and sort it later.

Important reassurance

This is a common travel crisis, and the first hour feels worse than the reality. If you cancel the passport promptly and start the ETD process, you usually regain control of options quickly — even if the plan changes.

Scope note

This covers first steps to stabilise bookings and travel in the next day or two. Later steps (replacement passport timing, visa re-issues, insurance claims) may need more targeted help once you’re out of the immediate scramble.

Important note

This is practical, general information, not legal advice. Processes and required documents can vary by country, airline, and your companion’s circumstances, so use official instructions and the airline/insurer’s confirmation for decisions.

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