How To Find A Stolen Passport

A passport is a vital tool when traveling to and from countries, and even more important is making sure you know how to find a stolen passport in case that passport is misplaced, or worse, stolen. Losing a passport, in general, can be a very stressful experience. If a passport is stolen, there are steps to take in order to retrieve the stolen, or misplaced, passport.

1. Contact the proper authorities. As soon as the passport is realized stolen, it is important to go to the police and file a report. This is not always required, but it is a better step to take in order to protect yourself from a future issue with someone who might try to use it.
2. Speak with the Consular Section. This group of people can be anyone from homeland security to the Citizens Service Department. Reporting a stolen passport to this section is imperative in order to retrieve the stolen passport or to obtain a new one.
3. Report the stolen passport. Contact the local embassy that deals with passports and report the passport stolen. Most countries have their own internet website where reporting a stolen passport is made easy.
4. Apply for a new passport. Information is needed in order to verify a person's identity, so when applying for a new passport, several forms of ID are required as well as filling out a new application to take the place of the stolen passport. Sometimes, an affidavit is required explaining the loss of the passport. After all the proper paperwork is filled out and completed, a new passport will be issued.

A good tip to remember is to make copies of the original passport before departing to another country. Leave the second copy of the passport with a family member or friend just in case the original passport is stolen. This will speed up the retrieval process of getting a new passport when applying.