Jan 28 2012
Replacing A Stolen Passports
Passports are legal government issued documents that are necessary for traveling abroad. If you have experienced a stolen passport, a legal procedure must be followed immediately in order to have the item replaced. The legal requirement includes the completion of designated forms in alerting relevant authorities of its disappearance.
Step 1
Should you become the victim of theft, you must report this event to the Consulate or Embassy. If the situation occurred while still in the United States, you can contact the Passport Services Department in order to report the stolen passport. People who have traveled abroad will need to find the U. S. Consulate or Embassy for the proper legal procedure.
DS-64
The item must be reported as missing which requires the completion of the DS-64 form. The application will require details surrounding the event in which the item was taken from you. When phoning the relevant authorities to complete a report, the travel document will be categorized as invalid and will no longer be able to be used for travel purposes.
Invalidation
If the legal document has gone missing and is invalidated, it cannot be re-validated. Those who have become a victim of theft and are in another country should visit the nearest U. S. Consulate or Embassy as soon as possible. Remember that one must first notify the State Department of your loss by completing the DS-64 form and mailing it to the designated address.
Accuracy
Ensure that every item has been filled in and all information is correct as this will prevent delays in the processing of the particular forms. Be sure to contact local authorities in determining which forms should be submitted as often a police report will have to be completed with application forms in submission. The report will include details surrounding the theft and should be mailed with relevant documentation to the U. S. Passport Services.
Loss of a Valid Passport
Valid passports that have been illegally taken from you will require that both forms DS-64 and DS-11 are completed. In cases where the missing document is still valid, it will have to be invalidated and this is why it is necessary to complete form DS-11 for a replacement. One must remember to include a number of important documents in application for a new legal document.
Identification
You are required to produce proof of birth certification or naturalization. It is also necessary to include proof of identification in the form of a driver license or government issued card and two passport size photographs. A fee will be charged for the application process and if you have pressing travel arrangements, expedition services are available at an extra charge.
A stolen expedited passport requires a number of immediate legal procedures that begin with reporting the document as missing in order to have it invalidated. Once the item is categorized as invalid, it can no longer be used for travel purposes, even if it is later recovered. Always contact the relevant authorities immediately when there is a missing document and visit the authorities to complete forms DS-64 and DS-11, which are necessary to obtain a replacement document as soon as possible.? The same process goes for a damaged passport. If you need it quickly apply for an expedited damaged U.S. passport in order to get it within the needed timeframe.