Getting A Replacement American Passport Is Straightforward
There is nothing like feeling lost and scared if your passport is lost or stolen while overseas. Getting a replacement American passport is relatively simple once you have the proper documentation available and are ready to show the official at the embassy or passport office.
Before you do anything else, contacting the police is the first step that is helpful in assisting the police in their investigation, but is also necessary to process your application for another one. This is important to remember, no matter if you were victimized here in the United States or if it happened while you are abroad.
Secondly you will want to get in touch with the local Embassy. They have systems in place to help you through the process and they can even have options that you may not have been aware of. In addition to the police report, be prepared to fill out another application form, as one that describes how your passport disappeared. Additionally, bring two passport photos with you as well.
On top of that, you should try to gather any other documents such as a birth or naturalization certificate. Having photo identification will also be very helpful. This will reduce the chances of you being turned away until you can supply the required documentation. Basically, anything that you can provide to prove that you are who you really say you are will help you to get a replacement with as little hassle as possible.
The biggest concern for travelers overseas is that they will be stuck in the country they are visiting while waiting for the new passport to arrive. Talk with the officials in the embassy and they can offer suggestions or solutions which may make the whole ordeal a lot easier and stress free.
There are fees involved in replacing your passport and they are similar to those that are imposed on first time applications. This is just part of the system and the fee will cost well over $100 USD. However, delivery can be expedited and special circumstances are always taken into consideration and the best person to talk to would be a consular official or passport service representative.
Ultimately, travelers can take some common sense steps to prevent this from happening at all. Keep an eye on your valuables and always guard your passport like you would your bank cards. If you know that you are traveling in a high theft area, be especially aware and don’t make yourself a victim.
Make sure to keep your valuables locked up when you are not physically in contact with them. Many hotels and hostels have safes where guests can leave important things without worrying about getting them stolen.