The Way To Handle A Stolen Passport   by Ben Pate

in Travel / Travel Tips    (submitted 2012-01-26)

Passports are official documents that allow a person entry into a foreign country as well as re-entry into their own. This document is absolutely necessary for any travel abroad. This makes it a very important document and one that is also coveted by those who cannot obtain one. Often, passports are stolen, if this happens it is absolute necessary to follow certain steps in order to report the stolen American pass port and get a replacement passport quickly.

Lost At Home

When planning a foreign trip it is always important to check all documentation beforehand. This way you can guarantee that your passport will be valid for the travel dates you intend to travel as well as verifying that you have the document itself. If you find that your passport is nowhere to be found and you suspect it might be stolen, then it is imperative you call the proper authorities right away. It is much easier to deal with a stolen passport in your home country than abroad. Be sure you check your home thoroughly as once it's reported stolen it is automatically invalid.

Stolen Abroad

Unfortunately passport theft is quite common. There are many tricks that gypsies and thieves have up their sleeve when it comes to obtaining wallets, money, and even passports. If you find that you are in a foreign country and your passport is stolen, then you need to report it to the nearest authorities. A passport acts as a permission to be in a certain country, at any time you can be asked to provide documentation stating permission to be in the country. If you cannot provide this, you can be arrested and held until the situation is sorted out. By reporting it you can avoid that problem and it will red flag the use of your passport to prevent someone else from using it.

Stay Calm

Staying calm is key to handling the situation correctly. Search all the corners of your house and leave no stone unturned! If you still do not find it, you can report it to the authorities as missing and apply for a new one. If you are in a foreign country and your identification is stolen maybe during a night out, be sure to report it missing as soon as you discover you are no longer in possession of it, and get started on the passport expediting procedure to have the necessary travel documents as soon as possible.

Report It

There are two ways of reporting for it. The first one is by calling the authorities and you can locate contact numbers online. The second way is by going to an agency and filling out the forms that will help in the replacement of the passport. In case you also find the passport of someone, always report it to the authorities or mail it to the relevant agencies.

It's Cancelled

The authorities can then try to help you track it down. However, you should consider the possibility that it may never turn up. Once you have reported it as stolen, it is invalidated and you cannot use it for travel. You have to apply for another one. Then it is time for a US passport renewal.

About the Author

A stolen pass port is serious matter, if the situation is handled calmly and properly, disaster can be averted. By reporting it to the proper authorities and then going through the process of getting a pass port renewal everything will work out and life will resume as before. Be sure to always keep your passport in a safe place to avoid such theft from happening.