Reporting A Stolen Or Lost U S Online Passport

Losing a passport right before an international trip generates panic, in even the most seasoned traveler. According to the US Department of State, a stolen or lost U S online passport should be reported immediately to prevent identity theft. If a replacement is needed quickly, travelers may take certain steps to get their new document to ensure that their travel plans will not be interrupted.

Form DS-64

People should start by filling out Form DS-64. The form has spaces for personal information, the card and book numbers for old passports and a paragraph explaining where, when and how the documents were lost. People must also explain any actions they took in an attempt to recover their passports. The form may be mailed to the State department, if travelers are not immediately seeking new documentation and the address is available on the State Department website.

Form DS-11

Applicants for new passports should submit Form DS-11 and pay the processing fee. Applicants should complete Form DS-11 but should wait to sign it until in the company of their acceptance agent. In addition to the proper forms, applicants will have to prove US citizenship by bringing identification. Acceptable identification may include a driver's license, a naturalization certificate, a military ID or a government ID. Agencies may also accept secondary forms of signature ID such as employee ID cards, social security cards and letters from an identifying witness.

Photocopies Of ID

Applicants must photocopy their identifying documentation. The photocopy should have images of both the back and front of identifying documents and should be printed on white 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. Images may be increased in size but may not be decreased in size. Also, images may only appear on one side of the page and the page must be clear of other markings or images.

Photograph

The State Department mandates a photograph for replacement passports. Each photograph must depict the applicant's current appearance and must adhere to stringent State Department guidelines. Most applicants utilize a professional photo service to ensure compliance.

In Person Or Online?

Applicants replacing lost or stolen passports must apply in person. If scheduled to travel within two weeks, people may set appointments with a regional passport office. Appointments are made using an automated process after which applicants are given an office address, appointment time and confirmation number. Applicants should bring all documentation, including a copy of their travel itinerary or e-ticket and should expect to pay the regular fee plus an additional rush fee.

Expedited Services

Travelers may find help with their expedited new US passport replacement from a private expediter. Before choosing a service, applicants should ensure that the company has a good reputation by checking to see if customers have left positive or negative comments online. Also, applicants should call the telephone number of the service to verify that it is a working number.

About the Author

Whatever the circumstances, losing a passport may be an unsettling experience. Reporting the loss right away and replacing documentation quickly will ensure that people experience no delays or identity theft issues because of the stolen or lost pasport. To find more detailed information, people may check the US Department of State website or contact their nearest agency. You can always get an expedited new U.S. passport.

Changing Your Name on Your Passport is a Simple Process

Although it has become a bit more complicated to obtain a passport than it ever has been before, having changes made to your passport does not have to be a difficult or expensive process. New security measures at the boarders have been initiated over the last ten years that have somewhat complicated the passport process. These regulations have made some people hesitant to apply for simple changes to their passports, like a passport name change. These changes can be simple to make, however.

Passport name changes and other minor changes can be quite simply made by just filing out the proper forms and, in some cases, paying a small fee. The majority of changes that are made to passports do not require a fee. Passports and changes to passports can be quite inexpensive because generally a fee is only needed for certain changes and expedited service.

One of the most common changes that people have to make to their passport is when it is sent out or printed with the wrong information due to a printing error. This is a simple change that can be made at any time during the valid years of the passport. This is a change that requires no fee be paid and it requires only the DS-5504 form. This form can be picked up at a post office or printed from the website. It can also be returned via mail or turned into a postal employee at the post office.

One of the most common changes that is made to passports every day is a name change. When a marriage or divorce takes place after the passport is issued, the passport holder must apply for a name change. If expedited service is not needed then there is no charge for this change. The DS-5504 form is the form that must be used if the change is being made less than 365 days after passport issuance. This is the form that is used for changes to a passport due to a printing error and can be found at a post office or on the Internet. This form can be mailed or returned to the post office.

There is a fee required for a name change that is needed for a passport more than one year after the passport was issued. The DS-82 form is the form that is required to make this type of change. This form can be found online or requested at a post office. This form must be returned with the fee included in order to be processed and for the change to be made.

Sometimes additional Vista pages are needed to be added and this can be done anytime a passport is valid. There is no fee for this change, but a $60 fee will be added for expedited service. There is no time limit for when this must be done or extra fees after a certain amount of time has passed since issuance.

The total cost for a passport is around $120 for the application and related fees. $60 must be added if the passport application must be rushed. If an individual cannot prove citizenship another $60 fee will be imposed for the passport agency to verify citizenship. These fees are quite low, but they can add up if you have certain circumstances that require special services.

Changes in general are simple to request and can be made quickly if needed. These changes are most often free, but if you need them done quickly there will be a cost. It is not scary at all to make changes to your passport. Changes like a passport name change are easier than many believe. Passports today are more comprehensive than ever, but getting one or changing one is still a relatively simple process.

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