There are few things that can ruin your international vacation
quicker than losing your passport while overseas. Knowing the right
procedures will help hasten the retrieval of a new passport. If you lose
your passport while traveling, you will most likely have to change your
itinerary, no matter how efficient the recovery system might be. Even
though it will be a worrisome and frustrating situation, you need to
make sure you follow these procedures.
Report your lost passport to the police
The
moment you discover your passport is missing, you need to head to the
nearest police station to report the lost passport. When doing that, it
is important that you remember your passport number and the date of
issuance. It is always a good idea to carry a piece of paper that has
that information on it in a separate place in your luggage. If you think
you lost your passport at the airport, the people to contact first are
the airlines. If you the airlines can't find your passport, the customs
personnel will contact your country's embassy in such a case.
Contact your embassy
When
traveling, whether you discover you have lost your passport in the
airport, or otherwise, the only people who can help you get a duplicate
passport are those at the embassy. Embassies are located in every
capital city. After lodging a police report, you will have to take a
stamped copy of it to the embassy, so that the loss can be validated.
Consulate professionals can help you with the right steps, especially if
you are open about your plans and intentions of visiting the country.
Get ready for the application of the duplicate passport
Getting
a duplicate passport is easier if you lose it in your home country.
However, a certain readiness for going through the procedures is
important. After lodging a police report, you need to take your passport
references to the nearest passport office. It is always better to
access the place where you sent in your application for the old
passport. If you did it through an agent, this time go directly to the
passport office or issuing unit. Remember to carry a copy of the police
report, a photocopy of the passport, identification documents, and an
adequate number of photographs of yourself.
Stay in touch with the issuing office
Until
you have received a fresh passport, stay updated on the status of the
renewal. Do not take it for granted that the new passport will be
sanctioned without any complication. Although rarely, duplicate
passports take a lot of time, and visits from the local authorities may
make the process even longer.
Stay in touch with the police
By
lodging a police report, you have officially asked the police to
investigate the loss. You may be lucky and they find it, but it is vital
that you know that no one is trying to steal your identity.
Good Neighbor Insurance represents 10 international health insurance companies and provides international health and travel insurance
for every country in the world. Other products include international
medical-evacuation-insurance, international term life insurance, and
international disability insurance and international group health
insurance. Also insurance is provided for short-term mission workers and
missionary teams. Good Neighbor Insurance can also provide health
insurance options for individuals returning to and/or residing in the
USA.
