Posts Tagged ‘Stolen Passport’

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What To Do When Your Passport Is Stolen

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

Passports are important travel documents issued by the United States that should be safeguarded at all times. Should you experience a stolen passport, you have to take immediate action. A number of steps should be taken in following legal procedure to replace the travel document as fast as possible.

Step 1

The first step to take if you have been a victim of theft is to report the travel booklet as stolen. In the United States, one would visit the State Department, Embassy or Consulate for reporting the item as missing. This is especially true for individuals who are traveling abroad and have has their legal document illegally taken from them.

DS-64

The DS-64 form is usually required to be completed and must be done as soon as possible. The specific form is necessary in recording your statement, which will document that it has been lost as a result of theft. The alternative to filling out the necessary documentation is to contact the Passport Services of the United States that will invalidate the document.

Invalid

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

Always proof read the forms to ensure that all items have been correctly answered which is important for processing the particular application. Often a police report is required to be submitted with the particular documentation that states the situation in which the specific item was taken from you. Once all details have been documented, the forms may be posted to the Passport Services of the United States Department.

Loss of a Valid Passport

If your legal document was valid at the time that it went missing, the DS-11 and DS-64 forms will have to be completed and submitted together. This is because one will have to apply for a new legal document, which is the reason that the DS-11 form is needed to be completed and delivered to relevant authorities. A number of specific documents are necessary when applying to replace the important travel document.

Identification

One will need to present a certified birth certificate issued in the United States or Certificate of Naturalization. An identification driver license or government issued identification card is necessary as well as 2 photographs that are passport size. A fee is charged when applying for a new legal document and additional charges apply to expedited passports.

Once the item is reported as a stolen passport, it will be invalidated and the document can no longer be used for travel purposes. The application process for obtaining a new legal document requires that you appear in person. The procedure for a stolen passport requires that individuals complete designated forms for reporting the incident and then applying for a new document to replace it. Whether it’s stolen or damaged you can request an expedited damaged passport if you need it quickly.

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Read About What You Need to Replace a Lost Or Stolen USA Passport

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

If you are one of the unfortunate people who lose their passports every year, you shouldn’t worry. The US Department of State offers you various means of replacing it. By reading the following paragraphs below, you’ll learn how to replace a lost us passport.

Take Action

It all begins with your reporting of the loss of your passport. This is an important step that you need to do immediately. To report this, you will need to fill up a DS-64 form. This is a form that will contain your statement regarding the loss of your passport. Alternatively, you could call the Passport Services office of the US Department of State. But if you are in another country when you lost your passport, you’d need to visit the nearest US Consulate or Embassy immediately.

DS-64 Form

Make sure that you answer everything as clearly as you can when filling up your DS-64. Also, provide as much detail as possible regarding the loss of your passport. Once you have filled in all the necessary information, you will have to send this form to the Passport Services office of the US Department of State.

Let’s say you lose a passport that’s still valid at the time of the loss. What would you do next? You will be required to have your passport replaced. To seek a replacement, you will have to personally submit your DS-64 along with a DS-11 form to the acceptance facility or passport agency. The DS-11 is what you’ll fill in to apply for a replacement passport.

Meanwhile, your passport is invalidated once it is reported lost. Because of this, you will no longer be able to use this passport in case you’re able to retrieve it. You cannot apply have it revalidated, so you would really have to apply for a new passport.

If You Find Your Passport

In cases where you are able to find your passport after reporting it’s theft or loss, you have to submit your recovered passport to the US Department of States Passport Services office. Once you submit it to them, you have the option of having it canceled and returned to you, or to have it destroyed by not requesting its return. The choice is yours to make.

Double Check Your Forms

Application for a replacement for lost or stolen passports require you to appear personally at the acceptance facility. Because you are required to travel, it is therefore advised that you check whether you have filled in all the forms, as well as supplied all the necessary documents to get a replacement passport. Doing this will help you save time and a lot of headache.

Now that we have shown you how to replace a U.S.passport, we’re sure you now know how easy this process can be. Just always make sure that you have fulfilled every requirement for the replacement of your american passport. This helps to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process.

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Easy Methods To Find A Replacement Passport

Saturday, May 28th, 2011

There are some simple methods for obtaining a U.S. passport replacement. The easiest of all begins by calling the correct office within the State Department for doing this. They have operators at hand to handle the calls between the hours of 8 AM and 10 PM on weekdays excluding federal holidays. If something happens to your passport when you are in a foreign place, you should report the matter quickly to the U. S. Embassy.

Mail Submission

There is an office called the Consular Lost/Stolen United States Passport Section which is where you should send any you may come across. There address is 1111 Nineteenth Street NW, Washington D. C. 20036. You can also make use of this if you would rather work through the mail rather than over the phone to get your new USA passport.

Register

Form DS-64 is used to register for this. It has to be filled out completely, signed, and mailed in. The official name for this document is “Statement Regarding Lost or Stolen Passport”. This may also be submitted in person at an Acceptance Facility. An additional requirement will be to complete Form DS-11. This amounts to an application document.

Report Loss

When these items are reported as lost either over the phone or through the submission of the forms reporting such an event, the passport will be invalidated. Even if it is found later on, it can no longer be used for travel. It should instead be sent to the address that has been listed. The State Department will then destroy it. You can request them to return it to you, but it can not be revalidated.

Completed Forms

All forms have to be completed in legible fashion and done in black ink. The first page also requires a signature and date. To process this will take from four to six weeks. You can cut this down to more like two or three weeks by paying $60. You can pay this through check or a money order. Make either out to the U. S. State Department.

Significant Delays

Be sure to fill in all the spaces you need to on these forms. Failure to do so can result in long delays. A significant overlook like failing to enter a social security number can create a total halt in the service. It is important to carefully check over these forms before sending them in.

International Travel

If time is at minimum before overseas travel is to take place, the quickest resolution of this can come from in person action. The Regional Passport Agency is the organization to contact. They will able to inform you where the closest office is for you to take care of this matter. They are also able to make an appointment for you quickly. This is the right way to proceed when time is running out before exiting the country or needing a visa.

Passport Replacement

An expedited pass port replacement can be obtained in any of several ways. The quickest will be to report the matter using the number that has been listed. You can also make use of the mail to do obtain a new United States passport. Finally, there are ways to accomplish such in person. Some sort of explanation will always have to be given for what became of the old. Whether it has been lost or destroyed, it will be labeled invalid before anything new is issued.

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How To Handle A Lost Or Stolen Passport

Saturday, April 16th, 2011

The key to dealing with lost or stolen passports lies in two things: quick action, and knowing what to do next. That is because your lost or stolen American passport contains your personal information and therefore you need to have the information secured right away. You must act quickly the moment you realize that you Lost your passport or it was stolen from you in order to renew US passport .

US Department Of State

You need to call the US Department of State immediately as soon as you find out that your passport is nowhere to be found. Calling them is fast and convenient, which is exactly what you want to do in cases like this. However, you may be unable to contact them outside of the office hours, during weekends, and federal holidays. There’s an alternative to this. You can send your report through the mail.

DS-64 Form

When filing a report on the loss or theft of your US passport, you will be required to fill in Form DS-64. Try to fill in as much detail as you can remember regarding the loss of your passport. The details that you provide will help explain what happened, or what might have caused your passport’s loss.

Submission Process

Once you are done filling in the DS-64, you will have to submit it. You have the option of sending it through the mail or submitting it in person. A personal appearance is required should you decide to submit this form along with your application for a new passport.

Passport Renewal

If you’re going to submit an application for a passport, you’ll need to fill in the Form DS-11. It is worth noting that you can already download both forms at the US Department of State’s website. You can fill in the form first on your computer then print it out, or print it out first then fill it in by hand later.

Identity Theft Prevention

Remember that your US passport is invalidated once it is reported Lost. Because of this, you will no longer be able to use your passport even if you recover it. This is done by the Department of State as a security measure to ward off identity thieves. Because again, your passport contains sensitive personal information that identity thieves might use. And since an invalidated passport is no longer usable, you will need to get a new passport by using the expedite passport service.

Missing Passport Abroad

Now what if you Lost your passport while on vacation in a foreign country? You’ll also need to be quick in reporting the loss of your passport, especially in that you’re in unfamiliar territory. But instead of going to the US Department of State’s passport office, you’ll need to head to your nearest US Consulate or Embassy. They will then help you invalidate your passport as well as apply for a new one.

Quick Response

Once again, you need to be quick when you’ve Lost your passport. You must report it to the authorities as soon as you can, since the information contained in your lost or stolen American passport may result in the theft of your identity. So the sooner you report your lost or stolen  passport, the sooner it will be invalidated and rendered useless and you can obtain a US passport quick.

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Learn How to Deal With A Lost Or Stolen US Passport

Sunday, April 10th, 2011

The key to dealing with lost or stolen passports lies in two things: quick action, and knowing what to do next. That is because your rapid passport renewal contains your personal information and therefore you need to have the information secured right away. You must act quickly the moment you realize that you Lost your passport or it was stolen from you.

US Department Of State

You need to call the US Department of State immediately as soon as you find out that your passport is nowhere to be found. Calling them is fast and convenient, which is exactly what you want to do in cases like this. However, you may be unable to contact them outside of the office hours, during weekends, and federal holidays. There’s an alternative to this. You can send your report through the mail.

DS-64 Form

When filing a report on the loss or theft of your US passport, you will be required to fill in Form DS-64. Try to fill in as much detail as you can remember regarding the loss of your passport. The details that you provide will help explain what happened, or what might have caused your passport’s loss.

Submit Applications

Once you have filled in Form DS-64, you can either mail it to the US Department of State’s Lost or Stolen Passport Section, or submit it in person along with a passport application form. If you want to make speedy report on your Lost passport but are unable to do so by phone, submit it personally instead. Along with that, also submit your application for a new passport. That way, you accomplish two important things in a single trip.

New Passport

The Form DS-11 is what you’ll need to fill in if you are to apply for a new passport. You should download this form from the US Department of State’s website, an option that means you no longer need to visit the passport office to obtain a copy. You have the choice of either typing the data first on your computer then printing it out, or printing it out first then filling in the information by hand.

Identity Theft Prevention

Keep in mind that once your passport was reported Lost or stolen, it is automatically invalidated. This is a measure done to prevent identity theft, since as mentioned earlier, your passport contains some of your sensitive personal information. Once you get a passport expedited and it is invalidated, you cannot request its re-validation. You will need to apply for a new passport.

Traveling Abroad

Now what if you Lost your passport while on vacation in a foreign country? You’ll also need to be quick in reporting the loss of your passport, especially in that you’re in unfamiliar territory. But instead of going to the US Department of State’s passport office, you’ll need to head to your nearest US Consulate or Embassy. They will then help you invalidate your passport as well as apply for a new one.

Quick Action

Once again, you need to be quick when you’ve Lost your passport. You must report it to the authorities as soon as you can, since the information contained in your lost or stolen passport may result in the theft of your identity. So the sooner you report your lost or stolen US passport, the sooner it will be invalidated and rendered useless.

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How To Replace A Stolen US Passport

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

If you’ve lost your passport or if it was stolen, it’s important that you know how to replace lost passports. Don’t know where to start? You’ve come to the right place because we’ll show just how to do this with the help of this article.

It all begins with your reporting of the loss of your passport. This is an important step that you need to do immediately. To report this, you will need to fill up a DS-64 form. This is a form that will contain your statement regarding the loss of your passport. Alternatively, you could call the Passport Services office of the US Department of State. But if you are in another country when you lost your passport, you’d need to visit the nearest US Consulate or Embassy immediately.

When filling up your Form DS-64, make sure that you fill in every item correctly and exhaustively. This may also require you to remember details that surround the loss of your passport. Fill in any detail that you think will be helpful in replacing your passport. Once you are done with this step, you can then send the form to the Passport Services office of the US State Department.

How about in cases when the passport that you lost was still valid by the time it disappeared? You would be required to have your passport replaced. To do this, you would have to submit your Form DS-64, along with the DS-11 in person. The DS-11 is the form you fill up to apply for a replacement United States passport. You would then send these forms to your nearest passport agency or acceptance facility.

Take note that once your passport has been reported lost, that passport will be invalidated. It means that that passport is no longer an official document, and can therefore no longer be used for travel. Also, once invalidated, you cannot request the passport to be re-validated. You would thus need to apply for a new passport.

What if you recover your passport after you’ve reported it was stolen? You will be required to send this to the US Department of State’s Passport Services office. You can request this passport returned to you, otherwise, it will be destroyed by the office.

When applying for a replacement passport, the acceptance facility will require you to submit your application in person. And since you have to travel to the agency’s office, it is highly advised that you check your documents before you even go there. This would save you the hassle of going back and forth until you are finally complete all the requirements.

Now that you know how to replace a stolen us passport, let’s sum things up a bit to wrap everything up. First, you need to report the loss of your passport immediately. You can either fill in the DS-64 form, call a toll-free number, or the nearest Consulate or Embassy, depending on your case. Once you’ve reported your loss, that’s only the time you can request for a replacement passport.

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Passports In The News – What You Can Learn From These Stories

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

Passports have been mediums for identity theft since they were first invented. With a passport, a potential identity thief can enter and exit the United States, and, using it as a veritable form of identity, can access all sorts of stuff that can be potentially dangerous. There have been many news stories lately about passport fraud, and with increasingly technologies on both sides of the passport fraud “industry,” they are becoming more and more important for the American people to see. From a stolen U.S. passport to identity theft of a dead man, these stories show just how dangerous a misplaced passport can be.

One of these stories comes straight out of Baltimore Washington International Airport. John Skelton, a 41 year old British citizen, tried to enter the United States using the passport of a certain Kurt Branham. Kurt Branham has been dead since 1994. He was a Legislative Aide to a United States Senator, and an obituary article helped to pin the criminal. One of the most surprising elements to this story is the fact that Kurt Branham’s identity had been used two times before and was under monitoring by the US government.

Another story comes from Buffalo, New York. 29 year old Eugene Todie is a New York man that is on probation for criminal contempt. Managing to get out of the country and into Canada, he was arrested upon returning when he tried to re-enter the United States using someone else’s passport. Todie was wearing an ankle monitor, and when he was questioned by Customs and Border Control, he said he was wearing it out of his loyal fandom to Lindsey Lohan, who also happens to be wearing an ankle monitor for her various alcohol-related crimes. A little far-fetched, but people like this are dangerous nonetheless.

You may have heard about Lindsay Lohan’s own issues regarding passports. While she was overseas, she claimed someone stole her passport, making it impossible for her to return to Los Angeles where she could appear in court for missing numerous court ordered alcohol education classes. She allegedly tried to re-enter the country without a passport, but she was denied entrance. Whether you believe her story or not, it just goes to show that no one is immune from the passport laws. She was able to handle her passport renewal emergency, but not without dealing with the consequences.

Dealing with passports is serious business, especially if it has been stolen, copied, or forged. A criminal can do a lot of harm to you and your family with a passport, so be sure to keep yours in a very safe place.

As you can see by these varying news reports, passports are potentially harmful tools. If you are traveling abroad and your passport gets misplaced or stolen, there are things you can do to prevent it being misused. There are solutions to a passport renewal emergency, and dealing with it correctly is important to keep your stolen U.S. passport out of criminals’ hands. The best thing to do, however, is just be diligent. If you are protective of your passport and your identity, you are far less likely to be left dealing with an emergency.

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National Concerns Over Immigration Cause Anxiety Over A Lost Or Stolen Passport

Friday, June 18th, 2010

It is an unfortunate continuing phenomenon that xenophobia exists throughout the world. Refugees, political dissidents and those seeking a better life move to environments that they hope will provide a better opportunity. It is for this reason that nations require visitors to be properly documented and a lost or stolen passport must be immediately reported. A lost or stolen passport can place you in a precarious position.

There are a number of reasons for documenting individuals visiting one country from another. In the event of any kind of emergency, such documentation ensures an individual and any assistance from their native land when needed. As long as there is strife between nations, whether religious, political, economic or military, there will be concerns over the movement of people.

It is a sad stereotype that immigrants are usually destitute and represent at best competition for employment opportunity, and at worst the outright importation of poverty. Typically, outrage over immigration follows inversely the pattern of economic strength of a nation. And the economy is strong, and jobs are plentiful immigrants fill the lower echelon of the workforce providing cheap labor and supporting inexpensive goods.

When the economy of a nation struggles, however, immigrants are the first to bear the brunt of citizens frustrations. It is disingenuous to believe that any native population truly has any desire to engage in the jobs immigrants perform, nonetheless there is the feeling they cannot contribute as much as they receive. This notion that they are bleeding the national economy of education and health benefits is a major political concern.

Thus, most developed nations have detailed procedures which a foreign national must follow to legally immigrate into their country. For those who would visit another country. Protecting the travel documents so carefully prepared for the trip is especially critical. These documents afford the bearer considerable protection during their visit. This can be especially critical if the visitors cannot speak the language of the country they are visiting.

In the current environment of the global war on terror, documentation is even more important and travelers must keep their personal paperwork safe. Not only is it important for their own safe passage, it is important to keep it out of the hands of those who would use it for nefarious purposes. Proper legal documentation is a high value target for theft and can yield a considerable sum to a criminal on the black market.

Even if the documentation does not fall into the hands of a criminal, the loss of proper paperwork will make the rest of your vacation very difficult to conclude. Reporting the loss to officials is of course necessary but will not guarantee when you could expect to have them expediently replaced. This is especially true these days with microchips containing the biometrics of each individual imprinted in the passport.

This highlights the significance of ensuring that one plans any kind of a trip overseas carefully. You must allow enough time to apply for and receive the proper passport documentation and you need to be aware of the situation in the country you plan to visit. That way you will be protected in case of emergency and confident in your travels. If you experience a lost or stolen passport, be sure to report it immediately to your nearest consulate or embassy.

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India: Where The Power Of Spirituality Reigns

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

The Taj Mahal

The country of India is incredibly rich in culture. Everything from the food, the music, the religion, and other aspects of Indian culture influence so much in our daily lives. A vacation to India requires a little more preparation than other destination, such as passports, vaccinations, and possibly other requirements, but it is undoubtedly one of the most memorable and exciting vacations you will ever have.

If you are an animal lover, you will find yourself overwhelmed with the amount of wildlife that India houses. Huge, majestic elephants roam the forest areas and the Himalayan region, providing a rare opportunity to see elephants in their native habitats, free and wild. The famous Royal Bengal Tiger’s growls can be heard from the surrounding jungles, and hundreds of different species of birds populate the forests and skies of India.

India is a very spiritual country. No matter your religion, there is a place where you can connect with your inner spirit and enjoy the peaceful and serene atmosphere that Indian spiritual landmarks provide. The people of India regard religion as one of the most important components in one’s life, and, when surrounded by people of unending faith, it’s difficult to not feel inspired yourself. The spirituality of the Indian people grants a certain sort of atmosphere to India, and when you become absorbed in it, it results in a travel experience unlike any other. A testament to this spirituality is the Taj Mahal. This structure stands as a beautiful monument to the love emperor Shah Jahan held for his wife.

Because India is so spiritual, festivals abound in the cities. Colorful, lively street festivals are a completely free and totally immersive way to get to know India a little better. There are tons of fun festivals to attend, from Diwali, the five day celebration of the Indian New Year, to Holi, which celebrates the conquering of good over evil. With great food, dancing that lasts all day, and an atmosphere of joy and celebration, these festivals make a great way to celebrate life the Indian way.

In order to embark on an Indian adventure, you will need to get a passport. A passport is easily obtained through online passport applications that are easily downloadable to your computer. Also research what sort of vaccines you and your family should get before you travel to India. Make sure you have all the proper documentation and paperwork in order to travel safely. Make sure to keep it with you and safe at all times, but if for some reason it gets stolen, stolen passport replacements are quick and easy to obtain.

An Indian vacation holds all sorts of opportunity to take a private and personal glimpse into the unique Indian culture. The people you will meet, the places you will see, and the experiences you will have will leave you with memories that will last you a lifetime. The international travel industry is growing with advancements in convenience, such as facilitated stolen passport replacements. And with the ability to renew or replace passports, you can sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in the Indian way of life.

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Keeping Your Passport Out Of The Wrong People’s Hands

Monday, June 14th, 2010

We all know that during vacations, very little goes as planned. And when you’re faced with a missing or a stolen passport, it’s easy to panic. However, there are things you can do in order to ensure that you obtain a new one as quickly as possible so you can continue enjoying your vacation or so you can return home with as little delay as possible.

First of all, don’t panic. While it’s completely understandable that you’d be stressed, these scrambled thoughts won’t get you anywhere. Take a deep breath and realize that you can’t change the problem, but you can work towards a quick solution.

The next thing to do if you lose your passport is immediately contact the closest US embassy. Do not wait, and do not procrastinate. If your passport gets into the wrong hands, it could put you in very real danger. Identity theft has become an increasingly common problem all over the world, and passports prove to be an excellent tool for those looking to steal someone’s identity.

Once you have contacted the embassy, ask to speak with someone from the American Citizens Service department of the Consular Section. First, they will immediately invalidate your missing or stolen passport. They will then tell you exactly what you will need to do in order to get a new passport, including how to get a new application and passport photos.

Report the theft to the local authorities, if applicable. They will file a report that only further ensures that your passport stays out of the wrong person’s hands. These reports are useful if you suspect your identity’s been stolen, as they are required by the embassy to issue reports.

Be sure to supply all the necessary information to the embassy in order to confirm your identity. You will need to provide your name, place and date of birth, when and where you were issued your passport, and also the passport number. Make sure to have this data in a secure place, as having it ready beforehand expedites your request and ultimately grants peace of mind. Also make sure someone in the United States knows that your passport has been stolen. Notifying them of any possible delays is always a good thing, and they might also be contacted in order to verify your identity.

Consider investing in money belt or a little purse that you can wear under your clothes. Those looking to steal identities are more likely to target those who have their important documents in conspicuous places, and by simply keeping yours out of sight, you reduce the risk of theft greatly.

Recently, a story came out in the news about Lindsay Lohan, our favorite train wreck. She claims her passport was stolen in France, leaving her unable to attend her DUI case in Beverly Hills, as well as her mandatory Alcohol Education classes. While this may or not be a valid excuse, she was able to obtain a new and valid passport quickly. These stories only go to show that this sort of thing happens all the time, and while it can be frustrating, there are solutions. And if you find yourself stuck in a foreign country someday with a stolen passport, knowing what to do is half the battle.

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