Oct 8 2011
A Lost U.S. Online Passport Is Not A Cataclysmic Event
Travel and document loss seem to go together. When a foreign national has had to go through the experience of filing for a lost passport, they will have to be patient. These things happen and since there is an infrastructure in place to handle such emergencies the best policy to follow is that of a positive attitude. There is no need to panic or get angry. When a local recognizes the opportunity to target a foreigner for their documents of identification, the more calmly the retrieval of a new document is done, the less stress for everyone concerned.
Contact US Embassy
The first step to take is to contact the closest US embassy or consular office. The sooner a new application for a replacement document is filled out, the better. It is always a good idea to have a photocopy of the lost document made before it gets lost. It is the quickest way to produce proof of identity. If the lost passport is a child’s, and you need an expedited child passport, you should follow all of these same steps.
Basic Information
The consular officer will need to know some basic information such as the number of the lost document, if possible, and the place and date where it was issued. An affidavit must also be filled out where the applicant must describe the circumstances in which their document was lost.
Passport Verification System
Once the previous document request has been located through the Passport Verification System or other means, the process to create a new document will continue. If the consular officer suspects fraud, they will want to further interview the applicant and if there is a lingering doubt, they will only issue a three month passport. If there is no doubt, another ten-year passport will be issued.
Fees
When the applicant has suffered financial loss also, they will not be required to pay for the limited validity passport. This will provide them with the identification required to re-enter the United States. They can apply for their regular validity document once they are back at home. The limited validity document will restrict their movements while outside of the US.
When The Consular Is Closed
Applications will be processed on regular work days when the consular office is open. The Department of State must be open for them to confirm the identity of the applicant. An after hours officer is on call for life and death situations and can make suggestions as to how best to proceed.
Time It Takes
Replacing lost documents such as identity papers is a straightforward process if there are no extenuating circumstances. Normally a replacement document can be processed within a few days but this is dependent on where the applicant is located. Local holidays and other circumstances could influence the time frame so these must also be factored into the waiting time.
Prior to traveling, one should review the tips on decreasing the chances of having ID documents stolen. A lost expedited passport limits one’s freedom. Many people choose to wear their document in a pouch under their clothing. Learning from experiences helps to create a heightened awareness of how to safeguard one’s documents. Taking more of a responsibility to discourage theft of documents of value should be a top priority for every traveler. All of the above also applies if the lost passport is a child passport and an expedited child United States passport is required.
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