Oh No! So You Lost Your US Passport Abroad?
Losing your passport overseas is one of the scariest things that can happen to anyone traveling overseas. Fortunately, it can be easily prevented in terms of damages. A little bit of research and planning before your trip can help travelers prevent identity theft, fraud and more. Here are some travel tips that are good to know should the worst happen.
What You Should Know Before You Go
This can’t be stressed enough: learn everything you can about your destination before you go. Every country is different, even if they are right next to each other. Make sure you know whether you need a visa to go, what the local laws are like, whether or not you will be able to receive adequate medical care and what the local culture is like. What is considered offensive or bizarre in the US may be perfectly acceptable overseas, and vice versa.
Make sure you know where the US Embassy is located in the country you will be visiting. Keep in mind that in some parts of the globe, the country might not have a consulate at all, which may require you to go to a neighboring country to replace your passport.
Let your credit card company and your bank know you’ll be traveling abroad BEFORE you leave. They will monitor your account more closely and prevent financial losses if someone swipes one of your cards. Not to mention they won’t block you from purchasing during your visit.
You should also make copies of all of the documents you will be traveling with. I like to make several copies and keep them in my suitcase and backpack. I also take photos or scans and keep those digital copies on my phone as well as send myself an email, just in case. You may not need them, but it is still imperative that these copies are made. The last thing you want is to be stuck in a foreign country with no way of getting home.
Documents You Should Always Have Ready
As mentioned before, there are certain documents you must have with you at all times. You must have copies of them at least. Each country is different in its requirements, but as a general rule, you might need:
- Photo ID
- Evidence of citizenship, such as a copy of your birth certificate or missing passport
- Travel Itinerary and your train or airline tickets
- Fees for the new passport
- Contact details for the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, both in English and the country’s native language
If you’re traveling to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, by land or sea, you will also need proof of citizenship and proof of your identity when coming back to the US. Fortunately, the new U.S. Passport Card meets both of these requirements because of the biometric component, and conveniently it only takes a slot in your wallet.
If you are a single parent traveling with children, some countries require that you also have either a document proving you have custody or a notarized letter from the other parent approving of the trip. This varies between countries and ports, so it would be wise to check with the local embassy of the destination. If you don’t have these documents before your trip, get them as soon as possible.
What to Do If You Lose Your Passport Abroad
If your passport is lost or stolen while you are overseas, these are the steps you can take to get home:
The first thing you should do file a police report. Filing a police report will put them on alert for anyone trying to leave the country with your passport. It will also save you from any harmful activity done in your name. Make sure to get a copy of this police report to give to the embassy when obtaining the emergency passport, as well as when you get home.
After filing a police report, take your proof of citizenship, ID, itinerary and the copy of the police report and go get some new passport photos. Once you have your photos go to the nearest American Embassy immediately. Wherever the embassy is located, there are usually businesses nearby that will help you get those replacement photos. Having them will expedite getting an emergency passport, which you can use to get yourself home safely.
The embassy will issue you an emergency passport, valid for up to one year. When you apply for an emergency passport, you will have to submit two forms: a DS-11 Application for a new passport and a DS-64 Statement detailing how you lost your passport. Once you’re home, you must surrender the limited-validity passport and apply for a replacement 10-year passport. Emergency passports do not count as proof of identity, so getting your passport replaced is crucial.
What if I lost my passport at home when I wasn’t travelling?
You will obviously not have to visit an embassy, but depending on how fast you need your passport you may want to consider retaining the services of a passport expediter to help you in getting a passport fast. If you have time before your trip, you can do it yourself by following this guide to lost / stolen passports.
Happy and safe travels!