Travel Emergency Assistance 101: What To Do If Your Passport is Lost or Stolen
Would you know what to do if your passport were lost or stolen while abroad? While this situation can create significant challenges for any traveler, having a clear plan of action will help you handle it more efficiently—and with less stress. Here’s what you need to know and do if your passport is lost or stolen while traveling overseas:
1. File a Police Report ASAP Reporting a stolen passport is especially important if you plan on claiming the cost of replacement through travel insurance coverage. A police report will also validate your information should someone try to use your passport illegally. Make sure before you leave the police station that you have a copy of the report for your records.
Extra Credit:Filing a police report can be quite frustrating if you’re experiencing language barriers with the local authorities. On Call travelers can call us for 24/7/365 for language interpretation services, and those who remember to pack a few extra copies of their passports may also have an easier time filing a report. *Keep a copy of your passport at home and have it faxed or emailed to expedite the process
2. Notify the Nearest Embassy or Consulate Whether your passport has been lost or stolen, notifying your country’s embassy or consulate is essential to prevent identity theft and to begin the process of applying for a replacement passport. Before reporting it, make sure your passport is truly lost or stolen, as it will be invalidated once reported.
Typically, you can report your lost or stolen passport to your embassy or consulate online or by phone, depending on the procedures specific to your country. However, once it’s reported, you’ll need to apply for a new passport in person. Typically for this in-person appointment you’ll need an alternate form of government-issued identification, like a driver’s license, to prove who you are.
Extra Credit: On Call travelers can contact us for help with finding the nearest embassy or consulate, and even scheduling the in-person appointment. For expedited assistance, we recommend bringing a copy of your DL and your itinerary to the consulate.
3. Wait it out If there is not enough time to get you a regular passport, you may be issued a temporary one. You should typically receive your new temporary passport within 24 hours. In the case of U.S. citizens this passport is good for one year and will need to immediately be renewed and replaced with a traditional 10-year passport upon your return to the U.S. And one more extra credit tip before you go: If for some reason the application process or waiting period disrupts or delays your trip, On Call’s travelers can even contact us for help with rescheduling their travel plans!
About On Call International: When traveling, every problem is unique–a medical crisis, a political threat, even a common accident such as a missed flight. But every solution starts with customized care that ensures travelers are safe and protected. That’s why for over 30 years, On Call International has provided fully-customized travel risk management and emergency assistance services protecting millions of travelers, their families, and their organizations. Visit www.oncallinternational.com and follow us on LinkedIn to learn more.
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On Call International provides fully-customized travel risk management services protecting millions of travelers, their families, and their organizations.
