Everyone who has ever been on a trip knows that it’s very rarely that everything goes according to plan. And unfortunately, many travelers find themselves with missing or stolen U.S. passports. If this person is you, there is help. There are things to do that can get you a new passport fast, and once you get this new passport, you can get back to your vacation with as few issues as possible.
The first thing you can do to help yourself is to just not panic. Anyone in that sort of situation would be stressed, so it’s completely understandable. However, being stressed won’t help you. Relax yourself, as there is a solution to this scary problem.
After you’ve regained your thoughts, quickly contact the local United States embassy. Do not delay. If your passport gets into a criminal’s hands, they can cause a lot of harm. Passports are prime targets of criminals because they are a tool of identity theft. This is an increasing problem, so if your passport got stolen, act as soon as possible.
Once you have contacted the embassy, ask to speak with someone from the American Citizens Service department of the Consular Section. First, they will immediately invalidate your missing or stolen passport. They will then tell you exactly what you will need to do in order to get a new passport, including how to get a new application and passport photos.
If your passport was stolen, be sure to report it to the local law enforcement. They will also create a report. This additional report goes towards making sure no one else uses your passport, and they are also used by the embassy in order to supplement their file on your stolen passport.
Make sure to give all the necessary information to the embassy that they will need in order to confirm your identity. This information includes but is not limited to your name, place and date of birth, where and when your passport was issued, as well as the passport number. Be sure to write down this information and keep it in a safe place. Having this information at the ready can drastically facilitate getting a new passport, meaning you will get your new passport quickly. Also, if your passport goes missing and you apply for another, contact someone in the United States. Make sure they know you will be delayed and that they may be contacted in order to help confirm your identity.
Consider investing in money belt or a little purse that you can wear under your clothes. Those looking to steal identities are more likely to target those who have their important documents in conspicuous places, and by simply keeping yours out of sight, you reduce the risk of theft greatly.
Recently, a story came out in the news about Lindsay Lohan, our favorite train wreck. She claims her passport was stolen in France, leaving her unable to attend her DUI case in Beverly Hills, as well as her mandatory Alcohol Education classes. While this may or not be a valid excuse, she was able to obtain a new US passport quickly. These stories only go to show that this sort of thing happens all the time, and while it can be frustrating, there are solutions. And if you find yourself stuck in a foreign country someday with a stolen U.S. passport, knowing what to do is half the battle.
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