The fastest way to replace a lost passport is to report it immediately as lost or stolen and then use an expedited or emergency service through an official passport agency or consulate, ideally with proof of imminent travel.

Quick Scoop: Fastest Options

1. If you’re in your home country (e.g., U.S.)

  • Report the loss right away
    • Call your country’s passport office or use their online form to report the passport as lost or stolen.
* In the U.S., this is done using form DS-64 or online, which officially cancels the old passport.
  • Apply for a new passport with expedited service
    • Fill out the standard application for a new passport (in the U.S., form DS-11) and check the expedited option.
* Pay the extra expedite fee (about 60 USD in the U.S.) on top of the normal passport fee.

* Routine replacement often takes 6–8 weeks; expedited service can cut that to about 2–3 weeks, sometimes faster if backlogs are low.
  • Use a regional passport agency for urgent travel
    • If you’re traveling within about 14 days, you may qualify for an in‑person appointment at a regional passport agency.
* You usually need:
  * Completed application (DS-11) and lost/stolen form (DS-64)

  * Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, old passport copy if you have it)

  * Government ID (driver’s license)

  * Proof of imminent travel (flight itinerary, booking confirmation)

  * Payment for passport + expedited fee.

* Many travelers report same‑day or next‑day issuance when they have confirmed imminent travel and an agency appointment.
  • Life‑or‑death emergencies
    • If you must travel within 3 days for a life‑or‑death emergency (serious illness or death of an immediate family member), agencies can sometimes issue a passport in 24–72 hours with documentation.

2. If you’re abroad and lose your passport

  • Contact your embassy or consulate immediately
    • Find your country’s embassy/consulate and report the passport lost or stolen; they’ll walk you through their specific steps.
* File a local police report if advised; this can help both for security and with your embassy paperwork.
  • Request an emergency or temporary passport
    • Most countries can issue a limited‑validity emergency passport so you can travel home or continue essential travel.
* These can often be issued much faster than full‑validity passports, sometimes within a day or two depending on your situation and documentation.

* Later, you replace the emergency passport with a regular one when you’re back home.
  • Prepare the right documents
    • Passport photos (often taken near embassies/consulates)
* Proof of identity and citizenship (ID card, driver’s license, photocopy or photo of old passport, digital copies in your email/cloud)

* Proof of your travel plans (tickets, hotel bookings).

Fastest Practical Path (Step‑by‑Step)

Here’s a streamlined path, assuming you have imminent travel:

  1. Stop searching and secure yourself
    • Once you’re sure it’s gone, treat it as lost to avoid delays; every hour counts before a flight.
  1. Report the loss
    • Use the official online form or phone line of your government to cancel the passport.
  1. Book an urgent appointment
    • Call the passport service line or check the website for the nearest regional agency/embassy that handles emergency issuance.
 * Emphasize your departure date; agencies triage based on how soon you travel.
  1. Gather all documents before you go
    • Application form (e.g., DS‑11), lost/stolen form, ID, citizenship proof, travel proof, passport photos, and money for fees.
  1. Go to the appointment and request same‑day processing
    • Explain your situation clearly and provide written proof of travel; many people receive the new passport later the same day or the next business day.
  1. If you can’t get one in time
    • Ask your airline about changing your ticket or travel credit.
 * For non‑refundable plans, some travel insurance policies cover costs when travel is delayed due to lost documents, so check your policy.

Forum‑Style Insight & Expectations

“I showed up at the regional agency with my forms, proof of travel for a flight in two days, and all my documents. My appointment was in the morning, and I picked up my new passport that afternoon.”

  • Many recent travelers say wait times have improved compared to the heavy backlogs seen during and right after the pandemic.
  • Same‑day issuance is not guaranteed; it depends on:
    • How soon your travel is
    • Appointment availability at a regional agency
    • Having complete, correct paperwork and proof of urgency.

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TL;DR:
Report the passport lost, book the earliest possible in‑person appointment at a regional passport agency or embassy, bring complete documents and proof of imminent travel, and request expedited or emergency processing—this is usually the fastest way to replace a lost passport.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.