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Losing your passport when you’re traveling can quickly turn into a real-life nightmare. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to swiftly handle an unexpected obstacle while avoiding major interruption to your original itinerary and travel plans. Here’s what to do if your passport is lost or stolen while you’re abroad.
Collect up your remaining personal documents.
Once you realize your passport is lost or stolen, check to see that your other personal documents are still secure — you’ll need them during the passport replacement process.
Be prepared to present a copy of your passport if you have one, a birth certificate, driver’s license or non-driver ID, and a copy of your travel itinerary. If you have plane tickets, train tickets, or hotel confirmation and/or receipts, round those up too.
Get a new passport photo taken ASAP.
Flickr/Melanie Holtsman
Wondering if there’s anything you can to do speed up the process after losing or having your passport stolen while abroad? Good news: You can take action immediately by snapping a new passport photo before you visit the nearest embassy or consulate to fill out paperwork for a replacement. This will be an especially valuable step if you’re in a rush or need to get home quickly.
Pay attention to the passport photo requirements outlined on the US Department of State website while taking new pictures. According to the information presented online, passport photos must be 2×2 inches in size and printed in color on matte or glossy photo quality paper. Your head must be between 1-13/8 inches from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head, and you may not wear glasses, a hat, or headphones.
Find and visit the nearest embassy or consulate.
You’ll be required to replace your passport before returning to the United States and to do so, will need to visit the closest U.S. embassy or consulate for help. You can find the nearest embassy or consulate in the digital, searchable directory.
Once you locate and visit an embassy or consulate, ask to speak with the Consular Section to report your passport as lost or stolen; you’ll receive info about the steps you’ll need to take to get a replacement.
If you haven’t brought a new passport photo with you, the Consular Section can help you find a place to take a new one. They can also help you understand which forms you’ll need to fill out, what the process entails, and how long you’ll need to wait for a replacement.
If you can’t get to an embassy or consulate immediately, you can contact the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 for clarification about the process or answers to other questions you might have. In all instances, you’ll need to apply for a new passport in-person.
Consider filing a police report.
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If your passport was stolen, one of your first instincts might be to file a police report. Though usually a good idea, this may not actually help you when applying for a replacement process. In fact, it may do just the opposite and slow things down.
Andre Arriaza, the co-founder of Barcelona Eat Local, told Brit + Co, “Only if safe, report your lost or stolen passport to the local police. Be aware that in certain countries local corruption might play against you, so better get to know the pros and cons of the place you are visiting in advance.”
Have you been a victim of a violent crime? The best thing you can do is consult with the Consulate Section during your visit for specific advice about filing reports and involving local law enforcement.
Apply for a new passport.
Flickr/Mike McCune
With your new passport photos in hand, you’ll be set to fill out the two forms you need to complete to replace your passport. Expect to tackle a standard application for a US passport and a statement regarding a lost or stolen passport. The second form will invalidate your old passport, which means no one else will be able to use it.
The Consular Section will be able to help you address any questions you might have about the forms, as well as verify that your passport photos are acceptable for your new passport. Expect to pay the $ 140.00 replacement fee on the spot.
Though wait times for a replacement passport in the U.S. average around six weeks, you’ll likely receive an emergency passport within 24 hours so you can return home according to your immediate travel plans. You’ll need to get a full-validity passport once you’re back on US soil.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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