Lost passport on Christmas Eve

[Bolt]

Hi AFF gurus.

I've searched high and low for days now, and I just can't find my passport. Currently the federal passport department is on reduced service from the 24th of December till the 3rd of January inclusive.



So, I'm wondering if you would think there's any point in reporting it lost until then? Passports that are reported lost will be cancelled, and unable to be used ever again. So if I do find it, I'll be out of luck with getting the passport to work. But, I might be able to refund the lost passport fee with a special form. Also, if the passport office is closed/reduced service, then I don't think any kind of advance will be made on getting me a new one.

Also, I couldn't find out how long it might take to get a replacement passport. I want to travel in mid January, and I'm not confident to book it yet due to my situation.

Thanks for your help.

 

[AIRwin]

Has your passport even expired to start with?

 

[Bolt]

No where near to expiry. Another several years. Quite annoying to have a passport ticking away time while you can't use it. But I guess everyone else is in the same boat.

 

[VPS]

Are you planning on going anywhere anytime soon or is there is a likelihood you'll have to go overseas for family or work emergencies.

If not I'd go back and have another look - you know as soon as you cancel it then you'll find it

 

[Bolt]

Hi VPS. That's a good point. But I'm planning on travelling in mid January - haven't booked yet. I don't think I'll book until I can find my passport or get a replacement.

 

[luxury-lizard]

I agree with @VPS - keep looking - it must be in your house somewhere as you obviously had it the last time you re-entered the country and it's hard to believe you lost it on the way from the airport to your home.

Were you travelling with someone else - maybe they can assist in the search. Check any suitcases / bags / clothes you were wearing .... etc etc

After Jan 3 it will be business as usual at the passport office and you should be able to get a new passport within 2 weeks (even without paying extra for quick service). Keep in mind, once you report your passport lost or stolen you will need to apply for a new one from scratch; i.e. as if you never had a passport before .... so more documentation required as well as guarantors.

 

[Bolt]

Couldn't find it all. I looked everywhere. I tried to call the PassPorts Office, and got to a dialtone menu. I pressed 0 for lost passports, and then got an automated message saying, we're too busy, too bad, and it hung up. When I try to call back, I get the same message before getting the menu.

It would appear that's the only way to report a lost or stolen passport.

 

[Bolt]

I got through to the passport office this morning. Called first thing in the morning and got through to the dialtone menu, and hold queue. Wait times are about 45 minutes at the moment for anyone wondering.

Also, I can confirm that they don't arrange to send you a new passport on the phone, you need to apply all over again from scratch, including paying the $308 application fee. Ouch. I was told on the phone that you need to cancel your old passport before you can submit the application for your new passport.

The official wait time for passports is up to 6 weeks. I'll let you all know how long it takes.

 

[DC3]

… I've searched high and low for days now, and I just can't find my passport …

It’s probably stashed in that spot where you thought no-one would find it.

 

[Bolt]

Update - I logged into passports this morning and noticed the status said under assessment. By 3PM I received a notice that it's in the mail. You also get a tracking number to track the item. So that's 1 business day to apply. 7 business days to receive and process. Let's see how long it'll take to arrive in a capital city.

I honestly thought it would take much longer. They said that they're busier than they've ever been. Also, being unable to get through on the phone some days was a bad sign. But I think that my passport application was likely one of the simpler ones. I'll update you all when it arrives.

 

[Chicken]

So that's 1 business day to apply.

Did you need to go to the post office and take 4 photos?

 

[Bolt]

You just need 2 photos. I got mine taken at OfficeWorks.

 

[Bolt]

Update - I logged into passports this morning and noticed the status said under assessment. By 3PM I received a notice that it's in the mail. You also get a tracking number to track the item. So that's 1 business day to apply. 7 business days to receive and process. Let's see how long it'll take to arrive in a capital city.

I honestly thought it would take much longer. They said that they're busier than they've ever been. Also, being unable to get through on the phone some days was a bad sign. But I think that my passport application was likely one of the simpler ones. I'll update you all when it arrives.

Update - The postal process is so slow! The passport was delivered to my nearest parcel locker post office on Friday, but they redirected it to my home address today (Monday) due to it not being big enough to be considered a parcel.

Day 1 (Wed 5th Jan) - Called and reported lost passport (2 hours). Fill out online application (4 hours). Take photos at OfficeWorks and print application (1 hour). Submit form, proof of citizenship, and 100 points of ID at Australia Post (1 hour).
Day 8 (Fri 14th Jan) - Application under assessment, then approved and put in the mail. Received Australia Post tracking number.
Day 12 (Tue 18th Jan) - Tracking update at 12AM. Item processed at Dandenong South.
Day 14 (Thu 20th Jan) - Tracking update at 7PM. Item received at QLD metro hub.
Day 15 (Fri 21st Jan) - Tracking update at 8AM. Item received at my parcel locker post office.
Day 18 (Mon 24th Jan) - Tracking update at 11AM. Item redirect to my home address

 

[Chicken]

Passport office faster than post, who would have known LOL

 

[Hvr]

If you get them taken at the post office they will be accepted, so for a little extra it's worth doing them there to avoid having them rejected.

 

[Bolt]

If you get them taken at the post office they will be accepted, so for a little extra it's worth doing them there to avoid having them rejected.

That used to be the case, but not anymore. OfficeWorks sued Australia Post over rejecting it's passport photos a few years ago, and since then it hasn't been a problem.

 

[DC3]

If you get them taken at the post office they will be accepted, so for a little extra it's worth doing them there to avoid having them rejected.

Yes, I did this last year for my passport renewal. And the new passport arrived within two weeks.

 

[kookaburra75]

That used to be the case, but not anymore. OfficeWorks sued Australia Post over rejecting it's passport photos a few years ago, and since then it hasn't been a problem.

I felt like suing Australia Post over the quality of the photo they took for my passport renewal - it makes me look terrible, something like you'd see on the wall at a police station

 

[DC3]

I felt like suing Australia Post over the quality of the photo they took for my passport renewal - it makes me look terrible, something like you'd see on the wall at a police station

I’ve never met anyone who thinks that they look good in their passport (or drivers licence) photo.

 

[Hvr]

it makes me look terrible, something like you'd see on the wall at a police station

At least with a photo like that you don't need to explain why you need a photo.
(Oh and mine's the same.)