replacing a lost stolen or mutilated passport

If you have a passport card or passport book, you have one of the most important documents of a lifetime. A simple US passport is anything but simple. Filled with a multitude of personal identifying information, US passports are extremely valuable. Having to replace your US passport card or US passport book can be tedious and time consuming. However, if you have had your US passport lost, stolen, or mutilated, you need to know how to file for a replacement.

Despite taking all the precautions that should keep you and your family’s US passports safe, you may discover you are in a situation where your passports have been lost or stolen. Every year identity theft cost Americans billions of dollars, and the loss of identity is only the beginning of the story. Your US passport is highly sought after on the black market. Terrorists and criminals often steal US passports to perform illegal activity. Theft can lead to ramifications limited only to your imagination closely matching many horror stories.

How you handle a lost, stolen, or mutilated US passport card or passport book will depend on where you are located when you discover the issue. If you are located outside of the United States, you should immediately contact an embassy or consulate. Once contacted, the proper authorities will insure your lost or stolen passports are nullified, and a replacement will be taken care of allowing you to return home. It is vital you report a lost or stolen passport immediately… the life you save may be your own.

Of course, if you are at home, you will have a significantly longer process. When you are out of the country, you need immediate assistance to help you get home. At home, you have a bit longer to get your replacement passport sent your way. However, you should always insure you report a missing or mutilated passport as soon as you realize there is a problem.

How do you obtain a replacement US passport card or US passport book?

Fill out form DS-64. This is a statement regarding lost or stolen passport. You will find personal identifying information and additional information concerning details on the passport being replaced. Fill out as much of the information as possible. Missing details can cause a delay or rejection.

You will need to provide identification. The identification is the same information necessary for the original passports: birth certification or certificate of citizenship, driver’s license, etc.

Two new passport photos meeting proper regulations must be supplied.

While you can apply for a passport card or passport book via mail, you must apply for a replacement passport in person.

One important step in preventing passport theft is to insure the safety and security of your family’s passports at all times. Even if you are at home, you should keep your passports under lock and key – a safety deposit box is ideal. Should your passport card or passport book become lost, mutilated or be stolen, you should immediately report the loss. Once reported, your passport will be rendered invalid for travel. Safety first!

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VIP Passports And Visa Services
VIP Passports, Inc. || 2012 Louisiana St. || Houston, Texas 77002
Toll Free: 1-800-876-8472 || Fax: 713-659-3767
Local: 713-659-8472 || Email:
Site Created & Maintained by Nance Leighton.
VIP Passport Services, Inc. specializes in first time passports, passport renewals, lost passports, pages added to passports, child's passports, birth certificates, renewal of passport for any reason, passport photos, immigration photos, gun license photos, job application photos, id photos, id badges, document legalization, international driving permits, notary services and passports in as quick as 24 hours.