Where to start when your Global Entry card goes missing

If your Global Entry card is lost, you report it to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) website, not by calling or visiting an enrollment center. You can request a replacement card the same way you would renew it — by logging into your TTP account, paying the replacement fee (currently $20), and waiting for the new card to arrive by mail. The process takes about two weeks from the time CBP processes your request.

You do not need to file a police report or contact your bank unless you believe someone has used your card number fraudulently. The card itself has no financial information on it, so a lost card is primarily a travel inconvenience, not a financial risk.

Key Takeaways

  • Report your lost card through your Trusted Traveler Program account online at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov, not by phone or in person.
  • You can use Global Entry at airport kiosks even after reporting it lost, as long as your membership is active and your biometric data is in the system.
  • A replacement card costs $20 and arrives by mail in approximately two weeks.
  • If your membership expires within the next year, you may want to renew instead of replacing, since renewal costs $100 and gives you five more years.

How to report the lost card in your TTP account

Go to ttp.cbp.dhs.gov and sign in with your username and password. If you have forgotten your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. Once logged in, look for your active Global Entry membership in the "My Programs" section.

Click on your Global Entry record and look for an option to request a replacement card or report a lost card. The exact wording varies, but it will be in the account management area. Select that option, confirm that your card is lost (not damaged or expiring), and proceed to payment. CBP will charge $20 to your credit card on file or allow you to enter a new payment method.

After you submit the request, you will receive a confirmation email with a reference number. Save this number in case you need to check on your replacement status later. You do not need to do anything else — CBP will process the request and mail the new card to the address on file in your account.

Using Global Entry while you wait for the replacement

Your Global Entry membership remains active even after you report your card lost. When you arrive at a U.S. airport with a Global Entry kiosk, you can still use it by scanning your passport and providing your fingerprints. The kiosk will recognize your biometric data in the CBP system and process you through the expedited lane.

This means you do not have to wait for the replacement card to arrive before you can use the benefit again. The physical card is a convenience — it lets you skip the kiosk and go straight through — but it is not required to access the program.

When to renew instead of replace

If your Global Entry membership expires within the next 12 months, consider renewing rather than paying $20 for a replacement card. A renewal costs $100 and extends your membership for five more years, whereas a replacement only gives you a new card for the remaining time on your current membership.

To renew, log into your TTP account and look for a renewal option in your Global Entry record. You will need to update your information, answer a few background questions again, and pay the renewal fee. Renewal processing typically takes four to six weeks, so plan ahead if you have an upcoming trip.

If your replacement card does not arrive

Replacement cards are mailed to the address on file in your TTP account. If more than three weeks have passed since you submitted your request and you have not received the card, log back into your account and check the status. CBP sometimes shows a tracking number or delivery status in your account.

If the status shows "mailed" but you have not received it, contact CBP's Trusted Traveler Program customer service through the TTP website. Do not call a general CBP number — use the contact form on ttp.cbp.dhs.gov so your inquiry reaches the right office. Provide your reference number from your original replacement request.

Updating your address before the card arrives

If you move after requesting a replacement card but before it arrives, update your address in your TTP account as soon as possible. Log in, go to your profile or account settings, and change your mailing address. The sooner you do this, the more likely the card will be forwarded correctly or held for you.

If the card has already been mailed and you cannot update your address in time, contact CBP through the TTP website with your reference number and new address. They may be able to intercept the card or remail it to your new location, but this depends on how far along the delivery process is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my passport number instead of my card at the airport?

No. At the kiosk, you scan your passport and provide your fingerprints, and the system recognizes you by your biometric data, not by a card number. You do not need the physical card to use Global Entry at the kiosk, but some airports or airlines may ask for it at other checkpoints, so having it is still useful.

What if I find my original card after I report it lost?

You can still use the original card. There is no "deactivation" process — reporting it lost straightforward starts the replacement process. If you find the card before the replacement arrives, keep both. The old one will continue to work until your membership expires.

Does a lost card affect my TSA PreCheck or other Trusted Traveler programs?

No. Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and other Trusted Traveler programs are separate memberships. Losing your Global Entry card does not affect your TSA PreCheck status or any other program you hold. You only need to replace the Global Entry card itself.

Can I get a replacement card faster by visiting an enrollment center in person?

No. Enrollment centers do not issue replacement cards. You must request the replacement through your TTP account online. The two-week timeline is standard and cannot be expedited through any other method.