- Report it at a police station and collect the certificate.
- Take that certificate to your country’s embassy or consulate.
- Photos and a copy of the passport speed the process considerably.
Who this is for
- Anyone who wants to prepare while nothing has gone wrong yet
- People who have never once looked up where to go if a passport disappears
- Anyone who’d like the card-and-phone order of operations in the same place
Of everything you can lose on a trip, a passport is the one that stops you going home.
The procedure is fixed, though. Here’s the thing: follow it in order and documents that let you fly usually come through within days.
“So where do I go first?” The police. And preparation done beforehand changes how long it all takes—so read this while nothing has happened. Let’s get into it.
Everything Starts Here! The Police First
✔ Without the certificate, nothing proceeds
Report the loss at the nearest police station. Everything starts here; without the certificate, the consulate cannot proceed.
They will ask when, where, and what was lost. Approximate answers are fine.
If language is a concern, interpretation services are sometimes available, and accommodation staff will often come with you.
Keep the certificate. Insurance claims usually require it too.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Report the loss at a police station |
| 2 | Collect the police certificate |
| 3 | Contact your embassy or consulate |
| 4 | Gather photos and documents |
| 5 | Apply for a travel document or new passport |
| 6 | Rearrange your flight |
✔ This isn’t the only answer. “Sick in Seoul” is the other option worth weighing.
Travel Document or New Passport? The Embassy or Consulate
✔ Confirm opening hours before you go
Contact your country’s mission first to confirm required documents and opening hours, which are limited.
You will typically apply for an emergency travel document or a replacement passport. Travel documents are issued faster but are limited in use. Tight schedule, take the travel document; longer stay ahead, apply for the passport.
You will need photographs to a specified format. A photo booth or studio can do this.
There is a fee. Cash is sometimes required, so check whether cards are accepted.
Keep the Copy and Photos Separate! What to Prepare in Advance
✔ Separate from the passport itself
Copy the photo page and keep it separate from the passport. Store an image on your phone and in cloud storage as well.
Carry a couple of spare passport photographs somewhere other than your wallet. It removes a step on the day.
Note your mission’s contact details before departure. Write them on paper too, in case the phone goes with the passport.
Do the same for your card issuer’s emergency number, and do not keep it with the cards.
Cards Are a Race! Other Losses
✔ Cancel the card the moment you notice
Call your card issuer the moment you notice a card is gone. That one is a race.
For a phone, locate it remotely, lock it if needed, and file a report.
Treat cash as gone. That said, found property is handed in relatively often in Korea, so a report is still worth filing.
If you have travel insurance, check what the claim requires. A police certificate is almost always mandatory.
You will also need to change your flight. Explaining the situation to the airline sometimes softens change fees. Call early.
FAQ
Where do I go first?
The nearest police station. Nothing else proceeds without the certificate.
Travel document or new passport?
Travel document if you are flying soon; a passport if your stay continues.
Where can I get photos?
Photo booths and studios. Check the required format.
How long does it take?
Days, with documents in order, subject to opening hours.
What does insurance need?
Almost always the police certificate. Collect and keep it.
Information as of 2026-09-24 (official listings and Google Maps as shown at publication). Updated when things change.