Everyone knows that when traveling abroad your passport is an important, essential item. It is the document recognized by foreign governments allowing you to cross borders and travel freely.
Deciding where and when you want to travel are the first two things you do when planning a trip abroad, but the third thing you do is begin the process of getting a passport. It is not a difficult procedure but it does take some time. In the United States, the application is available online, many post office locations can process your application and multiple businesses will take your passport picture.
Read all instructions carefully as you fill out the passport paperwork. The passport photograph has particular requirements and previous posts here will help you easily meet those requirements. You will generally receive two to four passport photos at the time of purchase. One photo will accompany your passport application but tuck one of those extra photos into a safe place in your luggage as it could be the photo that saves the day.
As careful and security conscious as we may try to be while traveling, losing a passport or having it stolen, can and does happen. If this should happen to you here is a packing strategy that will ease your mind and get your passport replaced quickly.
You have tucked that extra passport photo where it won’t be damaged. In another bag, one you don’t carry around with you every day but perhaps stays in in the hotel, tuck a color photocopy of your passport. Forget they are there and hopefully you won’t see them again until you are home and unpacking your clothes along with fond memories of your trip.
Should disaster strike and your passport is lost or stolen, don’t panic because you are prepared! Immediately contact the US Embassy or consulate and ask to speak to the American Citizens Services unit of the Consular Section. You will be required to visit and fill out another application but because you have a color copy of your passport and a picture, the process of identification and renewal will be swift.
