Your passport is one of the most valuable documents that you have with you when you are traveling abroad. You need to take measures to protect against a stolen United States passport so that you can travel with peace of mind. International passports can be sought after items among thieves in other countries.
If you are unlucky enough to have your passport stolen while you are overseas, you will need to make contact with your country’s embassy or consulate. They will be able to advise you on how to get a replacement passport and give you the necessary paper work to fill in. Some nations now have an online service through the department of foreign affairs.
Your replacement passport needs to be organized as soon as possible or you will not be able to leave the country in which you are staying. The embassy or consulate will be able to accept your application, payment and you are likely to have an extra fee charged for the lost passport. Emergency passports can generally be issued in a couple of days.
There are several measures that you can take while traveling to keep your passport safe. The first one is to always keep your passport safe. The best place is close to your body in a traveler’s pouch around your stomach. Do not place your passport inside suitcases as they can easily be misplaced en route and do not place them inside back packs while you are out and about visiting places as these may be stolen or pick pocketed easily.
A soon as you have used your passport put it back in your money belt. Never leave them lying around on benches, counters or tables as it is very easy to leave them when you walk away. When presenting your passport to check into a hotel, changing money, getting through customs or anything else, make sure that you keep it in your sight at all times. It is not recommended that you leave your passport in your hotel or with the hotel staff.
Keep copies of your passport with you in case they are needed. It is a good idea as well to have copy of your visa for the country you are visiting if you have one. Scanning your documents and storing them in your email account is a good idea in case of stolen passport.
When you are handling money try not to be conspicuous about it. At banks, ATM machines and currency exchanges be vigilant and put your money away securely as soon as possible. At locations such as these there are often thieves watching to find a mark. You should not count your money in public.
Simple safety and security measures while traveling in a foreign location can strongly minimize your chances of a stolen pass port or any other problems. It is always better to prevent a problem through vigilance and common sense regarding your USA Passport, than to have to go through a bureaucratic tangle in another country. If you experience any problems then your national representative should be your first port of call every time.
