Make 2 Copies of your Passport ID Page

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If your passport is lost or stolen on a trip, you could be stuck at the border and even denied entry into your home country. To avoid this issue, we recommend following some practical steps:

1. Make two copies of your passport ID page – that’s the page with your picture, your date of birth, etc. This can be an image scan or hard copy.
2. Give one copy to someone you trust – a friend, family member, or assistant – in case you need to contact them while on your trip.
3. Keep the other copy with you. If it’s printed, put it in your carry-on (not your checked luggage – that could go missing). If it’s an electronic copy, make sure you have access to it when you leave the U.S. (on your mobile device, or in your e-mail, for example).

With these steps complete, if your passport is lost or stolen, you have the information (or the contact) you need to make a good police report and get a replacement.

Did you know?

You may not always need a passport when traveling outside the country. In fact, for travel to and from some areas, a passport card is adequate for returning to the U.S. See how a passport card is different from a passport.

If your passport is lost or stolen

If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, it’s important to immediately contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Passports that are reported missing are immediately deactivated, so someone else can’t use your passport to illegally enter the U.S. under your identification.

If you’re inside the U.S. and your passport is lost or stolen, you’ll need to fill out some forms and take them to the closest passport agency or acceptance facility.

If you find a lost U.S. passport

If you find a lost passport, you are requested to return it the U.S. Department of State at this address.

U.S. Department of State
Passport Services
Consular Lost/Stolen Passport Section
1111 19th Street, NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036

Check out these related topics

• National Passport Day, where the U.S. passport offices are open on Saturdays and accept applications without an appointment, is a great way to get your U.S. passport.
• If you’re traveling between the U.S.A. and Canada, do you need a passport?
• If you’re an American citizen, do you need a passport to travel to Puerto Rico?
• Is it possible to insure your passport for theft or loss while you are traveling?