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What to do if…
you are asked for a police report abroad for a stolen document and you do not know how to obtain one

Short answer

File a report with the local police (or “tourist police”) and get an incident/reference number plus any written confirmation they can provide. If you can’t obtain a full report, gather alternative written proof (hotel/transport/security) and contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate — police reports are not mandatory for U.S. passport replacement, but can help.

Do not do these things

  • Do not pay unofficial “fixers” to produce a police report — this can be a scam or create legal risk.
  • Do not give your remaining ID to anyone who is not clearly an official, and avoid letting it leave your sight.
  • Do not assume the police can instantly print a full report — in many countries you only receive a reference number or a brief stamped statement.
  • Do not wait to report your U.S. passport lost/stolen just because you’re stuck on the police report step.
  • Do not email or message scans of your ID/passport to unknown addresses.

What to do now

  1. Write down what you need and what happened (2 minutes). Note: what was stolen, when/where, and who is requesting the police report (insurance, airline, hotel, embassy, etc.). Save a screenshot of the request.
  2. Locate the correct reporting channel locally.
    • Search for the nearest police station and also “tourist police” (some destinations route visitors there).
    • If it happened at an airport/train station, ask the official information desk/security where reports are filed.
  3. At the police, ask for the most useful minimum.
    Ask for:
    • an incident/crime reference number, and
    • any written confirmation (a copy, a stamped note, a slip, or online filing confirmation).
      Use a simple statement: “My document was stolen. I need written confirmation and an incident number for my embassy/insurance.”
  4. If you can’t communicate clearly, use a safer translator. Ask your hotel reception, tour representative, employer HR, or a trusted contact to help translate. Keep control of your documents and make sure you understand anything you sign.
  5. If police won’t issue a full report: document the attempt and collect substitutes.
    • Note the station name/address, date/time, and any officer name/badge number (if available).
    • Get written confirmation from a relevant third party: hotel/host, tour operator, airline/rail/bus company, or venue security. Keep receipts if you paid fees for replacement documents.
  6. Contact your travel insurer (and any card benefits provider) and ask what they’ll accept. Explain what local police can provide. Ask whether the incident number, an online filing confirmation, or a hotel/transport report is acceptable.
  7. If the stolen document is your U.S. passport: report it lost/stolen, then apply for a replacement in person abroad.
    • Report the passport lost or stolen using the U.S. Department of State process (Form DS-64 options include online/phone/mail).
    • Then apply in person for a replacement passport at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate so you can continue travel.
  8. If someone insists on a “police report,” ask what exact format they will accept (script you can use).
    “Local police can provide [incident number / brief stamped statement / online confirmation]. Will that meet your requirement? If not, what specific document name/fields do you need (stamp/signature/date/reference number)?”

What can wait

  • You do not need to solve the entire bureaucracy today — the immediate goal is a reference number + any written proof, then move on to replacement/claims.
  • You do not need to decide right now whether to pursue a “full report” later; many reports take days and may require follow-up.
  • You do not need to replace every other document immediately. Prioritise what affects travel and identity first.

Important reassurance

Being asked for a “police report” is a common friction point abroad — and many systems treat a reference number or short stamped statement as the “report.” If you act promptly and keep clear records of your attempt, you can usually satisfy insurers/airlines or find an acceptable alternative through the U.S. embassy/consulate.

Scope note

This is first-step guidance to unblock travel and paperwork. Local rules differ, and the organisation requesting the report may have its own requirements, so the practical aim is to secure some official record now and then confirm acceptability.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Procedures vary by country, and some locations may have safety concerns around reporting. If going to a police station feels unsafe, prioritise safety, use trusted intermediaries (hotel/tour operator), and contact the U.S. embassy/consulate and your insurer for options.

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