When even the most experienced traveler loses his or her passport, panic may ensue. However, replacements are easy to obtain and may even be expedited so that travel plans may continue as scheduled. The US State Department recommends the immediate reporting of a stolen or lost US online passport in order to avert an identity theft situation.

Form DS-64

People should start by filling out Form DS-64. The form has spaces for personal information, the card and book numbers for old passports and a paragraph explaining where, when and how the documents were lost. People must also explain any actions they took in an attempt to recover their passports. The form may be mailed to the State department, if travelers are not immediately seeking new documentation and the address is available on the State Department website.

Form DS-11

Those applying for new passports should submit their DS-64, along with Form DS-11. Form DS-11 should be left unsigned and signed only in the presence of the acceptance agent. To provide proof of US citizenship, citizens will have to bring identification to the agency. Acceptable forms of identification include a driver’s license, government or military ID or a naturalization certificate. Certain secondary forms of ID may also be accepted including a social security card, an employee ID card or a letter from an identifying witness. Applicants should also be prepared to pay the accompanying fee.

Photocopies Of ID

Applicants must photocopy their identifying documentation. The photocopy should have images of both the back and front of identifying documents and should be printed on white 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. Images may be increased in size but may not be decreased in size. Also, images may only appear on one side of the page and the page must be clear of other markings or images.

Photograph

For replacement passports, the State Department will need a photograph. Each photograph must reflect an applicant’s current physical appearance and must meet strict State Department guidelines. For most photos, the State Department recommends using a professional photo service.

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

Travelers may use a private expediter to secure a lost passports replacement. Before hiring any expediter, applicants should verify the company’s telephone number in addition to asking for a thorough explanation of rates. Often, customers post helpful comments about their experiences with expediters online, which will help applicants with the screening process.

Whatever the circumstances, losing a passport may be an unsettling experience. Reporting the loss right away and replacing documentation quickly will ensure that people experience no delays or identity theft issues because of the stolen or lost U S online passport. To find more detailed information, people may check the US Department of State website or contact their nearest agency. You can always get an expedited new pass port.

When a passport is lost, the passport holder’s first thought is where it was last seen. The desk and suitcases are quickly searched but nothing can be found. If travel is planned in the near future, time becomes of the essence and this adds to the traveler’s stress. If the lost United States passport is not located, it must be replaced quickly while in the midst of finalizing the travel plans.

A lost passport can be replaced via the normal method of going to the Post Office and going through their procedures. The only issue with that is that their normal time frame for replacement is about 8 weeks for the standard service and 4 weeks for the expedited one. This does not bode well for the traveler that needs to leave immediately or even sooner.

There are many services available online that can easily return a lost pasport back within as little as 24 to 48 hours after the paperwork has been submitted. These services require the same basic paperwork and identification that the Post Office does but can expedite the processing much quicker. This of course, is all done with an additional fee from that of the actual processing costs.

The passport replacement paperwork is very similar to the initial application for a passport. The provider and government Web sites contain links to each of the required documents that must be completed. The sites also contain step-by-step instructions on how to complete each document. They also list acceptable forms of required identification documents. All of this information should be read carefully, as missing any details will result in a delay in processing the application.

The next step will be to ensure that all the proper papers are handy to prove the individual’s identity. The first and foremost on all of the lists is a copy of the individual’s birth certificate. This copy needs to be one from the city, county or state that they were born in. A certified copy that does not bear an official seal from one of these entities is not acceptable.

A copy of a driver’s license that was issued at least six months prior must also be provided. Alternatively, there are other forms of identifying documents that may be provided. The criterion for these pieces of identification is that they contain the individual’s signature and photograph. Two documents may be supplied to meet this requirement. There are also additional documents that must be supplied in order to obtain a new passport, so it is important to carefully review the instructions listed on the provider’s Web site in order to get all of the details.

Carefully reading the list of required documents and providing everything requested will enable the passport application to be successfully processed upon submission. There is nothing more frustrating than sending everything off to the processing company only to have it returned because a document was mistakenly omitted from the package.

Once everything is gathered, photocopied, and completed as necessary, it should be sent out as one package via a traceable mailing method like FedEx or UPS. To speed receipt, the package may be sent via next day air service. This will enable the quickest processing period for replacement of a lost passports. A new passport will be mailed to applicants whose stress-free vacations may then begin.