Lost Your Passport in Korea? What to Do First, Where to Report It, and Who Can Help You Next

What to do first when you notice your passport is missing

Stop and check the last place you remember using it, but do this safely and without wasting time. Look in your bag, hotel room, coat pockets, transport seats, and any place where you may have taken it out for check-in, tax refund, or identification. If you are in a public place, return to the location only if it is safe to do so.

As soon as you reasonably believe the passport is lost, begin the reporting process. Korean government services accept passport-loss reports, and official overseas Korean missions advise prompt reporting because a lost passport can be misused. The government portal says a passport-loss report can be filed online, in person, or by mobile, and that the report cannot be canceled once submitted.

Where to report a lost passport in Korea

1. The nearest police station

If you are unsure where the passport went missing, a police station is a practical first stop. Police services are the most immediate official channel for reporting a loss, and local police can help create a record if needed for your next steps. If you think the passport may have been stolen rather than simply misplaced, mention that clearly when you report it.

2. The Korean government portal

Korea’s official government portal provides a passport-loss report service. The service is handled through the government civil service system and is available online, in person, or by mobile. For many visitors, this is a useful backup if you cannot reach the right office immediately or if you need an official record before moving on to replacement steps.

3. Your embassy or consulate

Contact your embassy or consulate right away. This is the office that can explain how to replace the passport or issue an emergency travel document, depending on your nationality and situation. Korean overseas missions also stress that a lost passport should be reported without delay because the document may be abused if it remains unreported.

What to ask for when you contact help

When you speak to police, a government service desk, or your embassy or consulate, be ready to explain when and where you last had the passport, whether you suspect theft, and whether you need urgent travel assistance.

• A photo ID, if you have one
• A copy of the missing passport, if available
• Your travel itinerary and departure date
• Your embassy or consulate contact details
• Any police report or loss record you have already made
• Basic personal details that help confirm your identity

If you have a photo of your passport or saved copies of the identity page, bring those too. They can help officials confirm the passport number and your identity faster.

How replacement or emergency travel usually works

Your embassy or consulate will tell you the exact documents they need. In many cases, you will be asked to complete a passport-loss report and provide identity documents and photos before a replacement or emergency document can be issued. The exact process depends on your country’s rules, your travel plans, and how quickly you need to leave Korea.

If you have an urgent departure, say so immediately. That gives the consular staff a better chance to direct you to the fastest available option. Do not assume you can board a flight with only a police note or a copy of your old passport; the airline and immigration rules depend on the document your embassy issues.

A simple emergency checklist

1. Check the last place you used the passport.
2. Report the loss to the nearest police station or through an official channel.
3. File the passport-loss report through the Korean government portal if needed.
4. Contact your embassy or consulate and explain your departure date.
5. Gather your ID, passport copy, travel plans, and any report numbers.
6. Follow the embassy’s instructions for replacement or emergency travel documents.

Where to go in an urgent situation

Police

Go to the nearest police station if you need to report the loss quickly or if you suspect theft.

Local government service desks

Use a local civil service office if you need help with the official reporting process or guidance on the government portal.

The embassy or consulate

Visit or contact your embassy or consulate for passport replacement or an emergency travel document.

The Korean government portal

Use the official government portal to submit a passport-loss report when you need an online or mobile option.

One important caution

Once a passport-loss report is filed, it is treated as official. The government portal notes that the report cannot be canceled after submission. If you later find the passport, do not assume it becomes usable again. Ask the relevant office what to do next before trying to travel with it.

In a passport emergency, speed matters. Report the loss, contact your embassy or consulate, and keep every document or reference number you receive. Those first steps make the rest of the process much easier.