Everyone knows they must have a passport to get into and out of a foreign country. Learning that one has a replacing lost passports is devastating, especially when a trip is planned and time is short. Remembering how long it took to get a passport the first time, one often does not know what to do.
The government now offers Emergency Passport Services for people who have lost their passport and must get another one within a short time. It is possible to get an emergency passport within twenty-four hours if necessary. They have made the process very simple and easy for the person who needs it. The price for the twenty-four hour passport is much more than what one pays for a regular one. Its cost is $299. A fee for a standard passport is $100.
A person needs to go on the Internet and follow the instructions. After filling out the form, they need to contact a passport specialist, by phone, who will guide them on the next steps to take. A person is able to indicate how quickly they need to have the passport in hand and a fast service will see that they have it by that date.
On the form for a lost passport, the person must show proof of US Citizenship indicated by a birth certificate and proof of identity. They must also indicate the intended country to visit and why. The form asks for one’s social security number, as well as other information.
The government has made arrangements to assist people who lose their passports in a foreign country. They advise them to go to a US Embassy or US Consulate. Personnel at these offices are well aware of the steps to take to get an emergency passport to replace the lost one. Proof of citizenship must be presented when applying at one of these locations with such things as driver’s license or social security card.
Private passport expediting companies are listed on the Internet. They offer services to help expedite the paperwork to get an emergency passport. There is a fee for their services, but they assure fast service on obtaining the document.
The passport should be treated as any other valuable document one has in one’s possession. Being prepared in advance for possible loss, it is wise to make two copies of the document. One should be put in a safe place and the other given to a relative for safe keeping. When a passport is lost things go much faster if one has a copy with the original number on it.
There are many reasons why a lost and stolen passports when in another country. One should be very careful to not lay it down anywhere and one person should not carry all the passports if going as a group or family. A pasports should never be carried in a purse or backpack as these are the most popular thing to be stolen. If carrying the passport it should be kept in a money belt or in a safe, inside pocket.