Five things you need to know if you lose your passport

About 7,000 Singapore passports were reported lost or stolen every year in the last five years, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli said in Parliament on Monday. What should you do if you lose your passport? Here is how to apply for a replacement at the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

1. Report the loss as soon as possible

Under the Passports Act (Cap 220), the loss of a Singapore passport has to be reported at the ICA's Passports Unit within 14 days of the loss.

You will need to bring application forms for the loss of your Singapore Passport, a supplementary form depending on how many times you've lost your passport, as well as a police report if you were a victim of a crime.

2. What to do if you lost it overseas

If you misplaced your passport while out of the country, you should make a police report in the foreign country and ask for a copy of the report; an acknowledgement slip or receipt; or the report number and name and location of the police station.

You will then need to report the loss at the nearest Singapore overseas mission with the relevant supporting documents. A Document of Identity will be issued to you, which will help facilitate your return to Singapore. Next, you should apply for a replacement passport in person at the ICA on your return.

You will need to bring documentary proof of your Singapore citizenship, passport-sized photographs, as well as a police report if you were the victim of a crime.

3. How much does it cost to apply for a new passport?

Applying for a new passport will cost you S$80 for applications made at the ICA counter. However, applications made online or by post cost S$70, after a S$10 rebate.

A penalty fee also applies for replacing lost or damaged passports. An additional S$50 is chargeable for the first replacement, with every subsequent replacement costing S$100.

4. How long does it take?

You will be notified by post to collect your passport once it is ready. A pink acknowledgment card will be sent to you within one week from the date that ICA receives your application for a new passport.

Applicants are advised to pick up their passports within one month of application. Passports which have not been collected within three months of application will be cancelled, and no refunds of the application fee will be given.

5. Is there a recommended time to go to the ICA?

The ICA advises those wanting to apply for a replacement passport at the ICA Building at 10 Kallang Road to avoid going on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, school holidays, as well as the eve and day after a public holiday. Day-to-day peak periods are 8am to 8.30am and 11.30am to 2pm on weekdays.

This article was published on April 15 in The Straits Times.

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