Stolen Passports: What To Do If You're Stranded Abroad

Everyone who has ever been on a trip knows that it's very rarely that everything goes according to plan. And every once in a while, a traveler finds themselves with a missing or stolen passport. If this person is you, there is help. There are things to do that can get you a new passport fast, and once you get this new passport, you can get back to your vacation with as few issues as possible.

First, relax. It's easy to get panicked when you realize you can't find your passport. Anyone would. However, panicking will not help you. So relax and take a deep breath. There is a solution.

After you've regained your thoughts, quickly contact the local United States embassy. Do not delay. If your passport gets into a criminal's hands, they can cause a lot of harm. Passports are prime targets of criminals because they are a tool of identity theft. This is an increasing problem, so if your passport got stolen, act as soon as possible.

Once you've contacted the embassy, speak with someone from the American Citizens Service department of the Consular Section. They will go about invalidating your stolen passport. This means that no one can utilize it. After this, they will tell you exactly what you need to do to get a new passport, from getting a new application to passport pictures.

The next thing you can do is contact the local authorities if your passport was stolen. They will file an additional report. This report will be used to take legal action as well as for helping the United States embassy file a report for your stolen passport.

Make sure to give all the necessary information to the embassy that they will need in order to confirm your identity. This information includes but is not limited to your name, place and date of birth, where and when your passport was issued, as well as the passport number. Be sure to write down this information and keep it in a safe place. Having this information at the ready can drastically facilitate getting a new passport, meaning you will get your new passport quickly. Also, if your passport goes missing and you apply for another, contact someone in the United States. Make sure they know you will be delayed and that they may be contacted in order to help confirm your identity.

If you are thinking of traveling abroad, you might want to invest in a small purse or a money belt to wear underneath your clothes. Those who have their passports in conspicuous places are key targets for those looking to steal them. So simply keeping your passport - along with your other important items - in a safe, hidden spot can keep you safe from theft.

Lindsay Lohan, everyone's favorite tabloid cover girl, was recently in the news claiming that her passport was stolen in France. She was unable to get back to Beverly Hills for her DUI case and she also missed some of her mandatory Alcohol Education courses. Despite the validity of her excuse, she was able to get a new passport and get home quickly. While you may go your entire life without having to deal with a stolen passport, simply being prepared and armed with this knowledge can help keep your US passport safe. It can honestly happen to anyone, but those who are prepared ultimately fare better.