How to Fill Out Lost U.S. Passport Forms Correctly: DS-64, DS-11, and DS-3053 Explained Line by Line

Most lost U.S. passport delays don’t happen because people don’t know what to do.
They happen because people fill out the right forms the wrong way.

A missing checkbox.
A premature signature.
An assumption about a field that “probably doesn’t matter.”

The passport system is unforgiving about forms—not because it’s hostile, but because forms are how identity, intent, and legality are verified.

This guide walks you line by line through the three most important forms used in lost passport cases:

• DS-64 — Report a Lost or Stolen Passport

• DS-11 — Application for a U.S. Passport

• DS-3053 — Statement of Consent (Minors)

If you understand these forms, you eliminate the single biggest cause of delays.

FORM 1 — DS-64

Report of Lost or Stolen U.S. Passport

This form officially cancels the lost passport.
Once submitted, the passport is permanently invalid.

Section: Personal Information

Fill this exactly as it appeared on the lost passport:

• Full legal name

• Date of birth

• Place of birth

Do not modernize or “correct” old formatting.
Consistency matters more than preference.

Section: Passport Information (If Known)

If you know:

• Passport number

• Issue date

• Place of issue

→ Enter it.

If you don’t:

• Leave blank

• Do not guess

Guesses create inconsistencies later.

Section: Circumstances of Loss

This is where many people damage their case.

Rules:

• Be factual

• Be brief

• Be consistent with reality

Good example:

“Passport likely lost while traveling between hotel and airport. No evidence of theft.”

Bad example:

“Someone probably stole it at some point, I’m not sure.”

Drama invites follow-up. Clarity avoids it.

Lost vs Stolen (Critical Choice)

Choose stolen only if:

• There was clear theft

• Other items were taken

• You reasonably believe a crime occurred

Otherwise, choose lost.

This choice does not affect speed.
It affects scrutiny.

Signature and Submission

• Sign electronically (online submission) or

• Sign manually (paper submission)

Once submitted:

• Save confirmation

• Save a copy

You will reference this later.

FORM 2 — DS-11

Application for a U.S. Passport (Replacement After Loss)

DS-11 is the core application.
Most mistakes happen here.

Page 1 — Personal Information

Fill every field that applies.

Key rules:

• Use your current legal name

• If your name changed, it must match supporting documents

• Use consistent formatting (no nicknames)

If a field doesn’t apply:

• Write “N/A” (if paper)

• Leave blank (if online, when allowed)

Social Security Number

• Enter your full SSN

• Do not omit digits

• Do not guess

Missing or incorrect SSNs cause delays.

Mailing Address vs Permanent Address

• Mailing address → where you can reliably receive mail

• Permanent address → legal residence

If they differ, that’s fine—but make sure the mailing address is stable.

Page 2 — Citizenship Information

This must match your citizenship proof exactly.

If using a birth certificate:

• Enter city, county, and state as listed

• Do not abbreviate unless the document does

If using naturalization:

• Use certificate details exactly

Parental Information (Adults Still Must Fill This)

Even adult applicants must list parents.

• Use full legal names

• If unknown, write “unknown”

• Do not skip

This is a common oversight.

Page 2 — Previous Passport Information

Since the passport is lost:

• Provide details if known

• If unknown, leave blank

• Do not invent data

The system already knows the passport is canceled.

The Signature Trap (Most Common Fatal Error)

DO NOT SIGN DS-11 AT HOME.

You must:

• Leave the signature blank

• Sign only in front of the acceptance agent or embassy officer

Pre-signed DS-11 = invalid application.

FORM 3 — DS-3053

Statement of Consent (Minors Under 16)

This form applies only when:

• A child is applying

• One parent cannot appear in person

Who Completes DS-3053

• The absent parent

• Not the parent attending

• Not the child

The form must be:

• Signed by the absent parent

• Notarized

• Accompanied by a copy of that parent’s ID

Most Common DS-3053 Errors

• Missing notarization

• Expired ID copy

• Parent signs but does not appear before a notary

• Wrong parent completes the form

Any of these = same-day rejection.

Validity Window

DS-3053 is time-sensitive.

Best practice:

• Complete it close to the appointment date

• Do not reuse old consent forms

How These Forms Work Together

Sequence matters:

1. DS-64 cancels the lost passport

2. DS-11 requests a new one

3. DS-3053 (if needed) authorizes issuance for a minor

If one form conflicts with another, processing stops.

Common Form-Related Mistakes That Cause Delays

Avoid these at all costs:

• Guessing unknown information

• Signing DS-11 early

• Inconsistent names or dates

• Using outdated form versions

• Leaving required sections blank

• Over-explaining circumstances

Forms reward precision, not storytelling.

Online vs Paper Forms

Online completion:

• Reduces handwriting errors

• Improves legibility

• Still requires in-person submission for DS-11

Paper forms:

• Must be legible

• Should be filled in black ink

• Should not be altered or overwritten

Choose clarity over convenience.

Final Self-Check Before Submission

Before your appointment, ask:

• Are all forms consistent with each other?

• Is DS-11 unsigned?

• Is DS-64 saved?

• Is DS-3053 notarized (if needed)?

• Do names and dates match documents exactly?

If yes, you are prepared.

Why Form Mastery Matters More Than Speed

Expedited service does not fix:

• Incorrect forms

• Invalid signatures

• Missing consent

Perfect forms move faster than rushed applications.

Final Takeaway

Lost passport replacement is not hard—but it is form-driven.

When forms are:

• Accurate

• Consistent

• Properly signed

• Submitted in sequence

…the system works smoothly.

Most delays are born on the form itself.

👉 Want Pre-Checked Examples + Printable Versions?

This article explains the forms.
The Lost U.S. Passport Recovery Guide gives you:

✔ Filled-out examples
✔ Printable checklists tied to each form
✔ Form-specific mistake warnings
✔ One system that ties everything together

📘 Over 50 pages of step-by-step, form-safe guidance.

👉 Get the full guide and submit your application without mistakes—on the first try.https://lostpassportusa.com/lost-us-passport-guide

Many passport applications are rejected because of incorrect photos. Read this guide to understand the most common mistakes: https://passportphotorejected.com/passport-photo-rejection-fixed-guide