Little Black Guidebook

Passports, originally uploaded by jaaron.

I have a recurring travel nightmare, well two actually. The first is that I’ll sleep through and miss a flight. The second is that I’ll lose my passport. It was so vivid last night that I looked up what to do in case that ever happened, you know, just in case.

Before You Go

• Make two copies of your passport; leave one with a friend or relative in the United States. Bring the other with you. Keep it safe and separate from your passport. Don’t ever leave it in the hotel room safe.
• Register with U.S. Embassy in countries you plan to visit. Write down and keep handy the embassies’ contact information.
• Buy a passport travel holder that attaches to your waist or neck. (I hate the feel of waist bags so I just have outfits with zippered pockets.)
• Bring copies of passport photos with you and keep them safe. It is a hassle to find a place to have these taken while overseas, especially in non-English-speaking countries.
• Scan a digital copy of your passport into the computer and put it on a secure hosting spot or give it to a friend who can send it to you. That way if you lose your paper copies, luggage, and everything on you, you can still call a friend from the embassy and get a copy electronically.

While You Travel

• Don’t use a hotel safe. What happens if you forget your combo? The hotel will send someone to the room who can unlock the safe. What stops them from doing this while you are away?
• Use a passport holder or concealed pocket and pull it out only if needed. Never put it in a backpack or a purse.

Once You Realize It’s Missing

• Be sure it is really missing. Once you report it, the passport is invalid. Search all of your bags and clothes thoroughly, enlist a friends help searching.
• If your passport is missing or stolen, contact nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate immediately.
• Travel to the embassy or consulate in person prepared to prove your identity.
• If you cannot prove your identity, bring someone with you who can attest to your identity.
• If possible, bring money for a replacement passport.
• Be prepared to travel to an immigration office in the host country to obtain an entry stamp.
• Be prepared to spend at least four hours waiting in line, filling out forms and answering questions from officials.
• If you didn’t bring extra ID photos with you on your trip, have some taken before heading to the embassy or consulate. Make sure the photos are cropped to the correct size for your country’s passport.
• U.S. citizens who are traveling alone and have no other way to prove their identification will be allowed to call “family, friends or associates” in the United States to confirm their identity, according to the U.S. State Department Web site.

Somehow this made me feel better.