Replacing And Filing A Lost US Pasport

2012-02-07 - 16:26 | Uncategorized |

For anyone who has ever lost a passport or any other important identification document such as a driving license, they all agree that the loss of these important documents is scary and terrifying mainly because you are not sure in whose hand the document will land. This becomes worse if you are on trip or about to go for one. It is wise to have the lost American passport reported to the authorities concerned as soon immediately so that the document can be declared invalid. This invalidation is important because you cannot get into trouble even if the document is criminally used elsewhere.

Recovered Documents

If a passport is found it should immediately be taken to the Department of State, however this rarely happens. If a passport is lost while traveling it is essential to report it lost and then get the process underway to obtain a new one. There are expediting services out there that replace them quickly, sometimes in 24 hours.

Replacement

In the replacement process, the first thing is to visit the Department of State offices or their website. This is where you get started with the information about the replacement and all the paperwork required. Expedited passports take up to four weeks while the regular ones take about 8 weeks.

Expediting

It should be noted that services are available for people who need their passports urgently and are unable to wait for the above-mentioned processing time. The best way to go about this is by contacting private service providers who offer replacement services and you are able to get your document within 1-2 business days.

Paperwork

This will require doing the same paperwork although there might be an additional form, which is sometimes required by the company to use for indemnification functions. It should be noted that these providers charge an additional fee over the charges by the government. This fee however, is worth it because you get a good service for it.

Documentation

You get a list of all the requirements for the processing in the website of the provider. Make sure to have all the documents required and their photocopies. You will also get the new pages for U.S. passport application form on the site and you should complete it as required.

Acceptable Forms

Among the identification documents that will be required is the birth certificate, which proves that one is a US citizen. Other details that will be required are the actual age of the applicant, birthplace and the social security number. Remember that the birth certificate provided should be original and in cases where certified copies are used, they should have the entity’s official seal or else they will be rejected.

Assistance In A Foreign Land

In cases where the document gets lost during a trip, you will be required to show the plane ticket or travel itinerary. Two color photographs are also required and they should meet the required specifications failure to which they are rejected. You can ensure that you have the required size by having them taken by a professional photographer.


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