Friday, 26 August 2011

How To Replace A Lost Passports

By Ben Pate


Even the most seasoned traveler may panic at the thought of losing a passport right before an international vacation. The US State Department recommends that any lost US online passport be reported as soon as possible to avoid identity theft. If travelers need an expedited replacement, they do have options to prevent the delay of their travel plans.

Form DS-64

To report lost or stolen passports, people should fill out Form DS-64. To complete the form, people must provide their personal identifying information,the book and card numbers for their passports and an account of how, where, and when the passports were lost. In addition, the form asks what actions were taken to recover the passports, if any. If owners of lost or stolen passports are not seeking new documents, they may simply mail Form DS-64 to the Department of State.

Form DS-11

Form DS-11 should be submitted along with Form DS-64 for new passports. Applicants must remember to sign the DS-11 form only in front of their Acceptance Agent. US citizens may bring multiple forms of identification to an agency, including naturalization certificates, driver's licenses or IDs from the government or military. If necessary, agencies may accept secondary forms of signature ID, including a letter from an identifying witness, employee ID cards, or social security cards. To obtain replacement passports, applicants must pay a standard fee.

Photocopies Of ID

Photocopies of identification documents must be provided. Photocopies should contain images of both the front and the back of identification documents on plain 8 1/2 by 11 paper. Images should be on only one side of the submitted page and the paper should have no images or other markings. The image may be enlarged but the image size may not be decreased.

Photograph

Applicants must bring a photograph to the agency for replacement passports. The photograph should depict the applicant as he or she currently appears and should conform to the State Department's exact guidelines. Many applicants decide to use a professional photography service to assure compliance with guidelines.

In Person Or Online?

Applicants replacing lost or stolen passports must apply in person. If scheduled to travel within two weeks, people may set appointments with a regional passport office. Appointments are made using an automated process after which applicants are given an office address, appointment time and confirmation number. Applicants should bring all documentation, including a copy of their travel itinerary or e-ticket and should expect to pay the regular fee plus an additional rush fee.

Expedited Services

A private expediter will help travelers with the process of securing an lost United States passport replacement. Before employing an expediter, applicants should make sure that the company has a working phone number and should make sure that they understand the company's rates. Additionally, applicants should browse online to see if comments have been posted about other customer experiences.




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