Keeping your passport safe is one of the most important steps to enjoying an overseas vacation. Your passport is an essential travel document and also a prized trophy for many thieves as they can be used or sold on the black market for big bucks. You can prevent a stolen American passport by taking some easy measures to keep your documents secure.
If you are unlucky enough to have your passport stolen while you are overseas, you will need to make contact with your country’s embassy or consulate. They will be able to advise you on how to get a replacement passport and give you the necessary paper work to fill in. Some nations now have an online service through the department of foreign affairs.
If your passport is stolen, you should report it as soon as possible. You will need to have a replacement passport issued in order to be able to leave the country you are visiting. At the local diplomatic mission of your nation you will complete a passport application, have the interview done, pay the replacement fee and you may also have to pay an extra fee for the lost passport.
There are several measures that you can take while traveling to keep your passport safe. The first one is to always keep your passport safe. The best place is close to your body in a traveler’s pouch around your stomach. Do not place your passport inside suitcases as they can easily be misplaced en route and do not place them inside back packs while you are out and about visiting places as these may be stolen or pick pocketed easily.
A soon as you have used your passport put it back in your money belt. Never leave them lying around on benches, counters or tables as it is very easy to leave them when you walk away. When presenting your passport to check into a hotel, changing money, getting through customs or anything else, make sure that you keep it in your sight at all times. It is not recommended that you leave your passport in your hotel or with the hotel staff.
It is a very good idea to take a couple of copies of your passport with you when you travel. This way if it is stolen then you have all the details still available. If you are visiting a country for which you need a visa, make sure you also take copies of the passport page on which the visa is stamped.
When you are handling money try not to be conspicuous about it. At banks, ATM machines and currency exchanges be vigilant and put your money away securely as soon as possible. At locations such as these there are often thieves watching to find a mark. You should not count your money in public.
When you are on vacation having to replace a lost or stolen U.S. passport is a problem that you do not need. Take all the necessary precautions with your US passport and you are much more likely to have a peaceful and uneventful trip for the right reasons.