For Vanuatu citizens
Replacing a passport of Vanuatu
Lost, stolen or damaged: we restore your documents. Passport replacement and restoring the citizenship certificate are handled remotely: we record the incident, confirm your status in the registers and have new documents issued.
- We handle urgent cases: loss and theft are recorded without delay
- We restore both the passport and the citizenship certificate
- Remotely, without a trip to the islands
When a new passport is needed
How to apply depends on the reason for the replacement and on which documents the applicant still has.
The passport is lost
We clarify the circumstances of the loss and the requirements for the statement or police document.
The passport is stolen
We check which document you need from the police in the country where the theft happened.
The passport is damaged
We assess the condition of the document and prepare the set for applying for a new passport.
The passport is not accessible
If the document stayed with a former representative or a third party, we separately determine the permitted way forward.
What to do after a loss or theft
The first steps help record the circumstances of the incident and avoid delays in preparing the application.
Record the incident
After a theft or loss, report it to the police where it happened. Keep the original of the document you receive and an electronic copy.
Tell BRIDGES
Give us the date, place and circumstances of the incident. We will check the requirements that apply and suggest how to proceed.
Keep the documents you have
Prepare a copy of the passport, the birth certificate, the citizenship document and the papers from your earlier case, if you still have them.
Do not plan trips on the lost document
Whether you can travel and whether you need a temporary document has to be confirmed with the competent authority or a consulate.
How BRIDGES supports a passport replacement
We organise the preparation of the application and work with the specialists involved. The decision to accept the application and issue the passport is made by the competent government authority of Vanuatu.
Checking the situation
We clarify the reason for the replacement, where the applicant is and which documents remain.
Determining the procedure
We check the authority’s current requirements and whether you can apply from your country of residence.
Preparing the set
We help fill in the forms and check the photos, translations and supporting documents.
Supporting the application
We coordinate the filing and track the available information on the progress of the review.
Collecting the document
We confirm in advance how the passport can be collected. It depends on the authority’s requirements and where you applied.
Delivering the passport
The finished passport is brought by our own courier, BRIDGES Courier, in person, wherever you are.
What the costs are made of
The total depends on the applicant’s age, the reason for the replacement, the processing mode, the documents, translations and how you apply.
Government fees
Paid at the rates in force on the date of the application.
Additional fee
A separate government fee may apply if the passport is lost or damaged.
Preparing documents
Translations, certification, photos, statements and other materials needed.
BRIDGES support
The cost is set after checking the situation and agreeing the scope of work.
Before work begins we provide a calculation of the known costs. Government rates and fees can change, so the final amount is confirmed before filing.
How the support works
The steps after a loss, theft or damage.
Initial check
We clarify the circumstances, where the applicant is and which documents remain.
Determining how to apply
We check the current requirements and the permitted way of filing.
Preparing documents
We draw up a personal list and check the set before it goes to the competent authority.
Filing the application
We arrange the filing in the agreed way. The decision to accept the documents is made by the government authority.
Supporting the review
We track the available information and tell the client about requests and changes in status.
Receiving the passport
We confirm the established way of collection and arrange the next steps within the agreed support.
The timing depends on the processing mode chosen, the completeness of the documents and the work of the government authorities. BRIDGES cannot guarantee a specific issue date.
Which documents are needed to replace a passport
The standard set looks like this. We will confirm the exact list after checking your situation and help you gather every document.
Application
The form for a new passport, completed in line with the current requirements.
Incident document
A police document or the prescribed immigration declaration of loss or damage.
Previous passport
Provided if available, including when a damaged document is being replaced.
Birth certificate
A copy or another format accepted by the competent authority.
Proof of citizenship
May be needed depending on the circumstances and the existing government records.
Photos
Recent photos that meet the requirements of the passport authority.
Additional documents
Travel documents, medical records, parental consent or other materials, if they apply to the applicant.
Requirements for originals, certification and translation are confirmed before filing. Scanned copies cannot always replace originals or properly certified documents.
If the citizenship document is lost
Obtaining the citizenship document again is a separate procedure and is not always needed to replace a passport. We first check whether you need it in your situation, then identify the competent authority and what the application should include.
All services for Vanuatu citizens
Passport, family, documents and business: we handle every matter of a citizen in one place and remotely.
Passport renewalWe renew an adult or child passport without a trip to Vanuatu, from filing to delivery of the new one.Details - You are on this pagePassport and certificate replacementLost, stolen or damaged: we restore the passport and the citizenship certificate.You are on this page
Citizenship for the familyWe obtain the status for a newborn, a new spouse and children: the whole family in one process.Details 
Citizen documentsCertificates, records, the ID card and a Vanuatu driving licence, obtained on your behalf.Details 
Apostille and legalisationWe prepare Vanuatu documents for banks, transactions and authorities in any country.Details 
Business in VanuatuWe register a company, obtain a licence and open a bank account, end to end.Details 
Greek residenceEurope as the second step: we find the ground and obtain Greek residence for the whole family.Details 
Renouncing citizenshipIf you no longer need the status, we handle the renunciation carefully and to the end.Details
The team that works with the documents
Urgent cases are handled by the Caribbean and Pacific programmes department together with the document support department.
Sofia MendesInvestment Migration ExpertVanuatu passports: cancellation and replacement
Tomas LinderCompliance and AML OfficerCertificate and civil documents: duplicates, registers, legalisation
Robert HaasCorporate LawyerArchive documents: restoring and confirming records
Sergej EvdokimovManaging PartnerUrgent and complex cases: oversight of key decisionsWhat clients say
Reviews from clients we have supported in different countries.
ViktorInvestor
I did everything correctly: chose the fund, invested the money, and waited for my residence permit. Then it turns out the fund's certificate has an error, and because of that I might be denied. The money is invested, but the paperwork is flawed - and I'm the one who suffers!
Read the case
DanielOwner of a car dealership chain
I compared four companies and stayed with the one that told me about the risks in my case first and about prices second. Compliance went through without a single additional request.
Read the case
FadiFrom Beirut
Ziraat wanted me to freeze a deposit. Nikos showed that with property the accounts could be opened without it. The accounts are open, residence granted.
Read the caseDocument replacement questions
01Do you lose citizenship if you lose your passport?
Losing a passport does not in itself end your citizenship. However, before issuing a new document the government authority may check the applicant’s identity and civil status.
02Do I need a new citizenship document?
Not always. It depends on the documents you have, the government records and the requirements for the specific application. We check whether a separate procedure is needed before putting the set together.
03What if my passport is stolen abroad?
Report it to the police where the theft happened and contact the nearest Vanuatu consulate or the passport authority. We will then help you work out the next steps.
04Can the replacement be done without a trip to Vanuatu?
Sometimes you can apply through a consulate or in another agreed way. This is not a universal rule. Whether remote support is possible and whether you must attend in person is checked case by case.
05Can I fly on a lost passport?
No, you should not use a document reported as lost or stolen. A temporary travel document has to be arranged with the competent authority or a consulate.
06What counts as damage to a passport?
Grounds for applying can include damage to the pages, cover or machine-readable zone, loss of the document’s integrity, damage to the chip or other defects that prevent identification and use of the passport. The final assessment is made by the passport authority.
07How long does a replacement take?
The official timelines depend on the processing mode chosen. They run from when the full set of documents is accepted and may change if additional checks are needed.
08How much does a replacement cost?
The cost includes government fees, a possible additional fee for a lost or damaged passport, document preparation and BRIDGES support. An exact calculation is provided after checking the situation.
09What if my documents stayed with a former representative?
Tell us which documents were handed over and which copies you still have. We will check whether the set can be restored and whether a separate application to the government authority is needed.
INITIAL ASSESSMENT
Tell us what outcome your family needs
We will design a solution for your case, choose the country and the right status, and take the whole process through to the result.
