Discovering one's passport is missing is a terrible feeling. If
within a day or two leaving on a trip panic sets in. Fortunately, the
government now offers services for just such a situation. It is called
Emergency Passport Services and they make it possible to obtain a new
passport within twenty-four hours if necessary. This is called an
emergency passport.
The emergency passport can be obtained
anywhere from twenty-four hours to eight business days.
The prices are
higher than the regular passport since the request is put at the front
of the line, so to speak. If one wants a twenty-four hour passport the
cost is $299 (compared to $100 for a regular passport).
By going
on the Internet, one can locate the site to download the required form.
By following instructions and filling it out they are given a phone
number to contact a passport specialist. That person will lead the
applicant through every step of the way. After explaining the need for
an emergency passport, the specialist will make sure that things go
through correctly.
One must be able to show proof of US
Citizenship with a birth certificate and proof of identity. If the trip
is already planned, one will be asked to identify the country to visit,
why and the date of travel. The usual sex, age, place of birth and
social security number are required.
There is nothing worse than
being in a foreign country and losing one's passport. Unfamiliar with
the surroundings, there is a feeling of helplessness. Fortunately, the
government has foreseen this possibility and advises anyone who has this
happen contact the nearest US Embassy or US Consulate for assistance.
At that time, they need to show proof of citizenship with such things as
driver's license, social security card or other identification.
At
the current time there are a number of private passport expediting
companies listed on the Internet. These companies assist the applicant
in filling out the papers and see that they are remitted correctly.
There is a fee for these services.
A person's passport is a very
valuable document and one does not want it to fall into the wrong hands.
There are certain precautions that should be taken so, if it does
happen, one has some proof of the original. One way to do this is to
make two copies and leave one with a relative. That way, if something
goes wrong the copy can be shown and things will move much more quickly.
When in a foreign country it is easy to become distracted with
the many different sights. This is what thieves look for. Caution says
people should never lay their U.S. passports
down anywhere and should not carry it in a purse or backpack. If one
feels they must carry it, then it should be in a money belt or an inside
pocket. It needs to be out of sight at all times to avoid having a lost or stolen passport.
