How To Proceed If You Have A Stolen Passport
A passport is an official document issued to a person to identify its owner as a citizen of a particular country. Its elements include the name of the person, nationality, age and sex. It also includes a photograph of its owner as this is the one sure way to describe the document holder. This is why it’s so important to handle a stolen American passport properly.
Stolen In Your Home Country
It is often heartbreaking to lose something you value and treasure. This document is no exception. Maybe you have been planning a vacation or a visit overseas, when you discover you do not have the most important item: your travel pass. It can be so stressful because it means that all those months of planning were wasted. Quickly apply for a new a passport to replace your lost or if you suspect, stolen one. This way you may be able to avert missed travel plans.
Stolen Abroad
If this document is stolen while you are in a foreign country it is very dangerous. The passport allows you entry back into your own country; it also acts as traveling papers to verify that you have permission to be in the country. If you are caught without proper documentation in certain countries you can be arrested and held until the situation is remedied. This is why if you suspect your passport has been stolen you alert officials right away. This will stop anyone from using your passport and will allow you to go about the process of getting a replacement for your stolen passport.
Stay Calm
It is important throughout this ordeal to remain calm. Staying calm will allow you to think clearly and process necessary information. This way you can properly speak with authorities and fill out all replacement paperwork with a clear head avoiding mistakes that can delay the process.
Report It
There are two ways to go about it. Telephone the relevant personnel and explain that you want to report a stolen document. You can get the contact information of the authorities you need to report to online. The other option is to go in person to the offices of the agency that issues these identification documents. You will be required to fill out a specific form and it is vital to give as much information as you can in regard to your stolen document.
It’s Cancelled
Once you have reported your stolen credentials either by phone or in person by filling out the required documents, it is invalidated. You can no longer use it for travel. By reporting that it is missing, the authorities will assist you in trying to recover it. Then it is time for a pasport renewal .