How To Proceed Should You Have A Stolen American Passport

by garrett on January 26, 2012

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 passport and get a replacement passport quickly.

Lost At Home

Perhaps you have planned an extensive trip abroad and as you are packing you realize your passport is nowhere to be found. This is devastating. Search your house and all previous luggage, however, if you suspect your passport may have been stolen, then you must report it. By reporting it to the proper officials you can red flag it if it’s used, this way no one else can use your documents. This is a very important step in the process of replacing a stolen passport.

Stolen Abroad

If you suspect your passport has been stolen while you are abroad, which is quite common, it is so important to tell the authorities right away. This prevents you from trouble if you are asked to show your travel documents. It also will put a stop on your passport, this way anyone who tries to use it will be red flagged and caught.

Stay Calm

Whether in your home country or abroad it is important to stay calm. You must be able to effectively communicate with the authorities to report the theft. You also will be required to fill out documentation which must be completed properly. A clear head is the only way to assure a proper report as well as the proper completion of replacement documentation.

Report It

You can report it missing by phone or by filling out a special form at an agency or at the government offices. You can find the contacts online to report your missing item. Should you find a passport of someone else, you can also ensure that they get it back by mailing it to any Passport Agency.

It’s Cancelled

Once reported stolen, the passport is then invalidated. This will prevent anyone from using it. You must be absolutely sure that it is stolen before reporting it, otherwise, if found, you have an invalid passport. Then it is time for a U S passport renewal.

A passport is a very important document; it should be kept with other important documents such as birth certificates and savings bonds. This will aid in the prevention of theft. However, if a passport is stolen, it is not the end of the world. It is just difficult to deal with. But as long as the stolen US pasport is reported properly and an application for a new one has been filled out properly then a American passport renewal will be on its way.

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