by Tara Rijon

Created on: February 06, 2010

A passport is an official document issued by governments for the purpose of international travel. It confirms your identity and country of birth, but it does not guarantee you admittance into a foreign country. You can rest assured, however, that if you are issued a United States passport and attempt re-entry without it, that you're going to be in for a painstaking experience.

Your New Passport

Obtaining a passport is a relatively simple process, but one which can take several weeks to complete. Upon receiving it you should take several (at least three) photocopies and distribute them so that you will always have a reliable copy available to you. One copy should be kept safely stored, and another should be kept on your person, separate and apart from your actual passport. Having a copy of your original passport will great cut down on the red tape when it comes time to replace it. I recommend that you also store a copy in an online storage if possible. That way you always have a copy that you can access from anywhere in the world. (This is also a good thing to do with your identification and credit cards).

Safekeeping Your Passport

A passport should be treated with the same care as any of your important documents; ie., birth certificates, property deeds, credit cards, etc, and should always be kept in a safe place. If it is not used frequently, it should be stored securely with your other important documents. Passport fraud is a lucrative business, and stolen ones are often used to gain illegal entry into the country. In addition, replacing a lost passport can be time consuming and expensive. If you have a safe or a safe deposit box, it is the best place to store your passport when not in use.

Traveling With Your Passport

When traveling with your passport it should always be kept separate and apart from your money and credit cards and other valuables. If your passport is lost or stolen, you will be made to prove your identity and citizenship, so be assured that you do not want to lose everything at one time.

Never, ever travel with your passport in your luggage. Nor should it be ever left in unattended hotel rooms. If you must leave your passport at the hotel (not recommended), then have the manager place it in their safe. Be wary of hotel room safes. They have been accessed by many different individuals, and they may not be as safe as you think.

Merely placing your passport in your purse or coat pocket makes you an easy mark for pickpockets. There are several companies that sell money belts that easily attach to you waist or leg, and they provide a much safer mode of transport. A simple fanny pack worn under your clothes can offer the same protection.

Lost/Stolen Passports

If, despite all your precautions, your passport is lost or stolen, you should report it immediately to the local authorities or your country's embassy. You will be required to fill out the necessary forms and remit a fee for its replacement. For more information on how to apply for a passport, tips on passport safety or on reporting a lost or stolen passport, please visit the U.S. Department of State online at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.

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