Passports are needed for legal travel purposes and provide proof of citizenship for all American citizens. When you have lost a legally required travel document, a number of steps are required to be followed for fast replacement. Expedition services are able to provide individuals with fast delivery of a travel document in comparison to the regular 6 to 10 week waiting period for an expedited lost passport.
The Procedure
The first step to take after having experienced the loss of this important item is to contact the State Department. The procedure for receiving a new document will depend on the location of the passport holder. The missing item must always be reported as lost to relevant authorities and, with expedition services, you can receive the item in a short period of time.
Reporting Loss
The first step in following legal procedure is to contact the United States State Department in reporting the document as missing. If a document has been stolen, a police report is often required to be completed, detailing the situation in which the individual was a victim of theft. In reporting the missing item to the State Department one is taking the necessary precaution in invalidating the document so that it is not used for illegal purposes.
Required Forms
Specified documents must be correctly completed in order for authorities to process the application for a replacement booklet. Form DS-64 should be completed to provide authorities with an explanation regarding the situation in which the travel document went missing. The DS-64 must be submitted with the regular application for a replacement document.
Expediting
Should one have plans for traveling in a few days to a week, expedition services can speed up the application process. Whether government or independent expeditors are used, extra charges will apply for the actual application forms as well as the additional services. An independent expeditor provides professional services for obtaining necessary documentation and submitting to authorities while avoiding long procedure.
Foreign Help
Expedition services are readily available to U. S. Citizens and for those who find themselves outside of their native country, the U. S. Embassy should be contacted. Necessary information can be obtained from professional agents to assist in the proper application procedure. It is of utmost importance to report the document as a loss to authorities.
Required Documentation
Should the document be lost within the States, the application process is the same as if applying for a new legal document. Application process requires the completion of forms including DS-64 and DS-11 together with proof of your citizenship. Once all necessary forms have been completed, be sure to include copies of your driver’s license, birth certification and passport sized pictures for complete submission.
Expedition services should include placing the designated documents in a letter-sized envelope with expedite written on the front. It is best to select two-way overnight delivery including a letter of authorization if independent expedition services are used. For efficient processing of an expedited lost U.S. passport, ensure that all relevant documentation and if necessary a US pass port application is correctly completed.
