Aug 14 2010
Lost Or Stolen U S Passports: What Documents To Gather And Who To Call
When traveling overseas, the most important thing for someone to have on them at all times is a passport. In the event of an emergency, this is the thing that identifies someone as a United States citizen and it is impossible to travel without it. One of the most frustrating ordeals to go through when traveling is a lost USA Passport but, in the event that it happens, it is important to know what to do.
If a passbook goes missing, the most important thing is to report it immediately. If someone tries to use a passbook that is not his or her own, it could cause a serious security breech at an airport. If the document is lost in the United States, it can be reported by phone or by filling out a DS-64 form and mailing it to the Department of State. If someone happens to be out of the country when he or she loses the passbook, he or she should immediately report it to the closest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Those who have lost their passbook while traveling will find it a bit more difficult to replace. The individual should make copies of the passbook prior to traveling and stash these in a carry on, checked baggage, or a wallet. A person can also obtain a certain type of insurance that will cover the replacement cost of the passbook.
In order to replace a passport applications overseas, the owner of the missing passbook must appear in person at the nearest US embassy or consulate. Many sites online provide lists of embassies in each country along with their location. However, when traveling, there is never a guarantee of Internet access so, just in case of such an emergency, a wise traveler will find all of this information before the trip and keep it with the travel documents.
The passbook will be invalidated as soon as it is reported missing, making it unable to be used for further travel. If the holder finds the passbook, he or she should immediately submit it to the Department of State. This office will handle the cancellation of the passbook and return the canceled document to the holder. A canceled passbook may not be reactivated, so to eliminate the time and expense required to get a new one, the person should be sure that the passbook is lost before reporting it.
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.
Having a lost USA passport is not fun, but there are solutions in the form of expedited processing and the use of private companies for passport services. The holder must report the lost document using the DS-64 form, then begin the passbook application process. When all steps are followed correctly, the individual will have a new passbook within as little as 24 hours when a private service is used.
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