You Can Effortlessly Report And Replace Lost Or Stolen U.S. Passports

Posted: July 7th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Destination Guides | Tags: , , , | No Comments »

An individual must bring a passport when traveling outside of the United States. This document serves as proof of identity for every United States citizen and travel beyond the U.S. borders cannot be done without it. A lost or stolen U.S. passports while traveling will prevent the passbook holder from being readmitted to the U.S. Therefore, everyone should know how to replace the document in order to act quickly in such an emergency situation

When the passbook is misplaced, the holder should notify the government without delay. There have been situations where a passport was taken and the thief tried to quickly use it in order to travel. Quick reporting on the part of the passbook holder will prevent this from happening. Reporting can be done via the telephone or by completing and submitting the government DS-64 report. If the person is traveling outside of the U.S. when the incident occurs, the local U.S. consulate or embassy should be informed.

Losing a passbook while overseas is a significantly more complicated situation than losing it at home. One way to expedite the process is by traveling with copies of the document and keeping them in various locations such as a backpack, wallet, and suitcase. It is also advisable to get travel insurance that covers the cost of quickly replacing a lost passbook.

The individual will need to show up in person in order to replace the passport application forms when traveling overseas. A directory of U.S. consulates and embassies that will handle this situation can be found on the Internet. Since Web access may not be easy to obtain during foreign travel, the individual should ask the hotel staff for the information. To be the most proactive, passbook holders should do their research, print this information prior to leaving for the trip, and pack it with the other travel documents.

When a passbook is recorded as missing, it will be invalidated immediately and will not be permissible for travel. If the passbook is later located, it must be turned in to the U.S. State Department for handling. The agency will cancel the document and provide it to the passbook holder if requested. The cancelled document will not be valid for international travel, so the holder should make sure it is lost before it is reported as such.

Individuals who have a lost or stolen passport must reapply for a new passbook in person. This can be done at a Passport Agency, post office, or Passport Acceptance Facility. The steps that must be followed are the same as those for first time applicants. The DS-64 form will need to be supplied with the DS-11 application, supporting documents, and relevant fee. A new passbook will be mailed to the applicant four to six weeks after the paperwork is processed by the government.

One of the most inconvenient situations to be in is losing a passbook or having it stolen right before leaving for a trip. Under normal circumstances, it takes four to six weeks to obtain a replacement. Even with expedited processing, it takes two to three weeks to complete the process. Anyone who needs a passbook to be replaced within two weeks should make an appointment at a Regional Passport Agency.

A lost or stolen U.S. passports can be a stressful and scary situation but it does not have to be the end of the world. The important thing is to stay calm and report it to the proper authorities immediately. The Department of State or US Embassy will have the resources to get travelers back on the road as quickly as possible.

Accelerated Services For A Lost Or Stolen Passport

Posted: May 12th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Transportation, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , | No Comments »

Many times a person has started to get things together for a trip to another country and finds they have a lost and stolen passports. This is a terrible situation. The tickets have been purchased, the reservations made and it will be impossible to get into the other country without a passport.

The emergency passport can be obtained anywhere from twenty-four hours to eight business days. The prices are higher than the regular passport since the request is put at the front of the line, so to speak. If one wants a twenty-four hour passport the cost is $299 (compared to $100 for a regular passport).

By going on the Internet, one can locate the site to download the required U S passports form. By following instructions and filling it out they are given a phone number to contact a passport specialist. That person will lead the applicant through every step of the way. After explaining the need for an emergency passport, the specialist will make sure that things go through correctly.

One must be able to show proof of US Citizenship with a birth certificate and proof of identity. If the trip is already planned, one will be asked to identify the country to visit, why and the date of travel. The usual sex, age, place of birth and social security number are required.

The government has made arrangements to assist people who lose their passports in a foreign country. They advise them to go to a US Embassy or US Consulate. Personnel at these offices are well aware of the steps to take to get an emergency passport to replace the lost one. Proof of citizenship must be presented when applying at one of these locations with such things as driver’s license or social security card.

Private passport expediting companies are listed on the Internet. They offer services to help expedite the paperwork to get an emergency passport. There is a fee for their services, but they assure fast service on obtaining the document.

One should always make a copy of their passport and keep it in a safe place while traveling, as well as making a copy to leave with a relative. Being able to show this at an Embassy or Consulate when one is in another country and has lost their original passport makes things go much quicker.

When in a foreign country it is easy to become distracted with the many different sights. This is what thieves look for. If you do not wish to have a lost and stolen passports, caution says one should never lay their passport down anywhere and should not carry it in a purse or backpack. If one feels they must carry it, then it should be in a money belt or an inside pocket. It needs to be out of sight at all times to avoid having a lost passport.