Things to Remember When Dealing With a Stolen American Passport

Travel can be stressful, even for experienced globetrotters. Of all of the things that can go wrong, though, a stolen American passport may seem like the worst. This idea is prevalent in movies and books as characters run into more and more trouble as they hunt down their documents. However, there are some things you can do to get your documents reissued and get your trip back on track.

The motivation behind stealing passports is pretty obvious. Money drives markets. Passports from rich regions like North American, Japan or the EU can command high prices. People are willing to pay for the opportunity for more freedom of travel. In many parts of the world, a few thousand dollars are enough to tempt people into getting involved in illegal activities like this.

In the event that your passport is stolen, try to remain calm and retrace your steps. It can be difficult to remember everywhere you have been in a country you may not know well, but you can check the main places where you might have left it. You can enlist the help of the staff at the hotel as well. Go straight to management, though, as opposed to bothering with the housekeeping staff.

If you are sure that you and your passport have parted ways permanently, get to the embassy or a consulate as quickly as possible. If you are far away from a city with a consulate or embassy, you will need to call ahead and make an appointment. This will save you the time and stress of standing in line and worrying about your case.

While most information now is online and records will be more easily available than in the past, you should still try to come up with as much supporting documentation as possible. These documents can help establish your identity in a more timely fashion. A birth certificate, a social security card or a driver's license can really make a difference. Even copies are worth bringing.

Since a stolen passport is such a serious matter, you can just turn up at any time really. Clearly state that your passport has been stolen so they can get the ball rolling as soon as possible. Usually, though, the American Citizen Services section of US embassies is open for applications in the morning before noon, so you might find more staff during those times.

Your airline may also request proof that you reported your passport stolen if you have to make last-minute changes. The extra time and travel spent getting a new passport may require you to change your departure date. You will find your carrier much more cooperative if you have the proper documentation from the embassy.

Another concern for many people is valid visas left in the old passport. Long-term visas to other countries can be dealt with as needed. However, if the country you are in requires a visa, you need to deal with that one first. This process will vary by country. You can ask the embassy staff for information on getting this done. However, they cannot provide that service themselves.

While it would be incorrect to say that you are in good company, there are certainly plenty of other people out there who have experience dealing with a stolen American passport. Each year, unwitting travelers find themselves stuck in a country without papers. Thankfully, there are systems in place that make getting a replacement United States passport easier than ever. With a little attention to detail and a calm head, you can turn this nightmare scenario into a minor blip in your trip.

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