How One Can Replace Lost And Stolen Passports

Everyone knows they must have a passport to get into and out of a foreign country. Learning that one has a lost and stolen passports is devastating, especially when a trip is planned and time is short. Remembering how long it took to get a passport the first time, one often does not know what to do.

The government now offers Emergency Passport Services for people who have lost their passport and must get another one within a short time. It is possible to get an emergency passport within twenty-four hours if necessary. They have made the process very simple and easy for the person who needs it. The price for the twenty-four hour passport is much more than what one pays for a regular one. Its cost is $299. A fee for a standard passport is $100.

A person needs to go on the Internet and follow the instructions. After filling out the form, they need to contact a passport specialist, by phone, who will guide them on the next steps to take. A person is able to indicate how quickly they need to have the passport in hand and a fast service will see that they have it by that date.

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.

If a person is overseas and loses their passport or has it stolen they are advised to go the closest US Embassy or Consulate to receive assistance. At the Embassy they will need to fill out a form and provide proof of citizenship such as their driver’s license, social security card and any other form of identification. Once the passport is reported lost or stolen it is marked in the records as invalid and cannot be used even if found later.

In addition to the government passport office, there are several private passport expediting companies available on the Internet. They have a person fill out the same form the government has and then go through the steps required to obtain it. For people who have difficulty with the language, this might be the way to go.

A person’s passport is a very valuable document and one does not want it to fall into the wrong hands. There are certain precautions that should be taken so, if it does happen, one has some proof of the original. One way to do this is to make two copies and leave one with a relative. That way, if something goes wrong the copy can be shown and things will move much more quickly.

People visiting foreign countries often become so engrossed in the sights that they become careless and end up having a lost passport. Thieves, experts in obtaining items such as these, are always on the lookout for this type of tourist. If it is necessary to carry one’s new passports, it should never be in a purse or backpack. Having it secure in a money belt or inside pocket is the wisest thing to do and will help one avoid having a lost passport.