Lost American Passport

[ManOnTheRoad]

Hi All

My Mother in law lost her American passport in Bangkok . What should we do ? Should we make a police report asap or contact the American embassy first ? Can we get an emergency passport as we need to fly out of the country for a family vacation .

Thanks

[VisasPlus]

I'm sure somebody with experience of US procedures will give you good information, but the first thing you should do is make a police report. I'm sure the Embassy will require this in order to proceed with issuing a new passport.

Most Embassies overseas have the ability to issue emergency passports. They are usually issued to allow the holder to travel home. Whether a family vacation will qualify for the issue of an emergency passport or not, I don't know. You may have to wait for a full passport to be issued.

[BuckarooBanzai]

You should notify the embassy as soon as you can so that they can put the passport on a watch list. You can send them an e-mail with your information and passport number and ask for instructions on how to proceed.

Lost or Stolen Passports

The loss of a valid U.S. passport is a serious matter. After searching carefully, back-tracking the places where it may have been lost, such as stores and banks, and checking with the appropriate Lost and Found departments and transportation companies, report the loss to a police station close to where you believe the loss took place; or to any Tourist Police office. The Tourist Police telephone hotline number is 1155. To replace the passport, you must apply in person at the U.S. Embassy during regular office hours, with the police report. A photocopy of the face page of the lost passport is helpful, as is photographic identification and other proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable evidence of citizenship can be an original or certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate, an original or certified copy of a Consular Report of Birth, a Naturalization Certificate, or a previous expired passport.

PROCEDURE TO APPLY FOR A PASSPORT

1. Report the loss to the police. Report the loss or theft of your passport to a police station close to where you believe the loss took place; or to any Tourist Police office. The Tourist Police telephone hotline number is 1155. You must bring this police report with you to the U.S. Embassy when you apply for your replacement passport.

2. Complete a passport application form. Complete and print your online application here.

3. Complete a DS-64 Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport (click here).

4. Make an appointment (click here), if possible. You may also apply without an appointment during working hours.

5. Submit the application and required supporting documents (see below for details) to the American Citizen Services section between 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. You must sign your application before a Consular Officer.

Check out http://bangkok.usemb..._passports.html

Edited April 24, 2011 by BuckarooBanzai

[zzaa09]

You should notify the embassy as soon as you can so that they can put the passport on a watch list. You can send them an e-mail with your information and passport number and ask for instructions on how to proceed.

No email. Best to tend to this in person. Things will expedite themselves much speeder with person-to-person interface.

[ManOnTheRoad]

Thanks for the input , we are planning to visit the Embassy tommorow in order to get things done asap .

Cheers

[Mrjlh]

Thanks for the input , we are planning to visit the Embassy tommorow in order to get things done asap .

Cheers

You better they will be closed for in-house training the 28th & 29th.:jap:

[garet]

You should notify the embassy as soon as you can so that they can put the passport on a watch list. You can send them an e-mail with your information and passport number and ask for instructions on how to proceed.

Lost or Stolen Passports

The loss of a valid U.S. passport is a serious matter. After searching carefully, back-tracking the places where it may have been lost, such as stores and banks, and checking with the appropriate Lost and Found departments and transportation companies, report the loss to a police station close to where you believe the loss took place; or to any Tourist Police office. The Tourist Police telephone hotline number is 1155. To replace the passport, you must apply in person at the U.S. Embassy during regular office hours, with the police report. A photocopy of the face page of the lost passport is helpful, as is photographic identification and other proof of U.S. citizenship. Acceptable evidence of citizenship can be an original or certified copy of your U.S. birth certificate, an original or certified copy of a Consular Report of Birth, a Naturalization Certificate, or a previous expired passport.

PROCEDURE TO APPLY FOR A PASSPORT

1. Report the loss to the police. Report the loss or theft of your passport to a police station close to where you believe the loss took place; or to any Tourist Police office. The Tourist Police telephone hotline number is 1155. You must bring this police report with you to the U.S. Embassy when you apply for your replacement passport.

2. Complete a passport application form. Complete and print your online application here.

3. Complete a DS-64 Statement Regarding a Lost or Stolen Passport (click here).

4. Make an appointment (click here), if possible. You may also apply without an appointment during working hours.

5. Submit the application and required supporting documents (see below for details) to the American Citizen Services section between 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. You must sign your application before a Consular Officer.

Check out http://bangkok.usemb..._passports.html

I lost my passport and have to make an application for a new one.

The only problem is I don't have a certified copy of my birth certificate.

I've got photocopies of my birth certificate though. Will they accept that?

Does anyone have any experience with replacing a lost or stolen passport with photocopies only?

It would be a huge headache to try get my birth certificate sent out here.

Edited August 14, 2011 by garet

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Check out http://bangkok.usemb..._passports.html

I lost my passport and have to make an application for a new one.

The only problem is I don't have a certified copy of my birth certificate.

I've got photocopies of my birth certificate though. Will they accept that?

Does anyone have any experience with replacing a lost or stolen passport with photocopies only?

It would be a huge headache to try get my birth certificate sent out here.

Don't worry about it, just hit the American Services Section and fill out the forms. Of course it's better if you have lots of backup documentation but most travelers don't carry such, and don't even have photo copies. The form(s) you fill in are emailed back to the State Department for verification of the info you've previously submitted on your earlier application for a passport, and if all correct, you'll be issued a new one. Does take a couple weeks, tho.

Mac

[garet]

Check out http://bangkok.usemb..._passports.html

I lost my passport and have to make an application for a new one.

The only problem is I don't have a certified copy of my birth certificate.

I've got photocopies of my birth certificate though. Will they accept that?

Does anyone have any experience with replacing a lost or stolen passport with photocopies only?

It would be a huge headache to try get my birth certificate sent out here.

Don't worry about it, just hit the American Services Section and fill out the forms. Of course it's better if you have lots of backup documentation but most travelers don't carry such, and don't even have photo copies. The form(s) you fill in are emailed back to the State Department for verification of the info you've previously submitted on your earlier application for a passport, and if all correct, you'll be issued a new one. Does take a couple weeks, tho.

Mac

Reply: New Post:

Without the old passport or a certified copy of my birth certificate (I've got photocopies only), do you really think they'd accept my application?

That is great news if it works. I hope you're right.

Do you have experience with replacing a lost passport?

Also, my photographs are more like 1.60" x 2.20". Most places around the world use the metric system. Only the US insist on still using feet and inches. Will they accept the photos if dimensions are a tad off?

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Check out http://bangkok.usemb..._passports.html

Reply: New Post:

Without the old passport or a certified copy of my birth certificate (I've got photocopies only), do you really think they'd accept my application?

That is great news if it works. I hope you're right.

Do you have experience with replacing a lost passport?

Also, my photographs are more like 1.60" x 2.20". Most places around the world use the metric system. Only the US insist on still using feet and inches. Will they accept the photos if dimensions are a tad off?

Sure they will, don't even need the certified copy of your BC, but it could take just a little longer to verify that you're who you say you are.

You have any other ID with you? U.S. driver permit, school ID, AARP, most anything, with a photo is better, but without better than nothing. But, "nothing" is still OK, as I said, might take a tad longer.

Re your photos are a lot more than a "tad off." They like 2" x 2" for the photo, that's five (5) cm square. With the head size 1" min to 1 3/8ths max, that's 2.5 cm min x 3.5 cm max. Go get new photos.

And, yes, I've replaced lost ot stolen passports a couple times over the years, but I carry along xeroxed copies of the data page, plus a reduced credit card sized copy of the data page. Much easier that way, but NOT necessary.

(hope my math is right re the photo)

Mac

[tombkk]

You should notify the embassy as soon as you can so that they can put the passport on a watch list. You can send them an e-mail with your information and passport number and ask for instructions on how to proceed.

Lost or Stolen Passports

Check out http://bangkok.usemb..._passports.html

I lost my passport and have to make an application for a new one.

The only problem is I don't have a certified copy of my birth certificate.

I've got photocopies of my birth certificate though. Will they accept that?

Does anyone have any experience with replacing a lost or stolen passport with photocopies only?

It would be a huge headache to try get my birth certificate sent out here.

You're a US citizen, but people of other nationalities might be reading this thread.

If any Germans read this: You do not need a copy of your birth certificate. You do need the police report, and the embassy will check with the office in charge of your home address (zustaendige Meldebehoerde) whether they can issue a new passport. Expect that to be a temporary one (green instead of red), or just a travel document (which allows you to travel home but nothing more). Bring a picture and a couple of thousand Baht for fees (better call to the embassy in advance and ask what you need to bring).

Advice: The embassy knows how much an EU passport is worth on Kao Sarn Road, so better don't try to improve your travel finances that way.

[garet]

Check out http://bangkok.usemb..._passports.html

Reply: New Post:

Without the old passport or a certified copy of my birth certificate (I've got photocopies only), do you really think they'd accept my application?

That is great news if it works. I hope you're right.

Do you have experience with replacing a lost passport?

Also, my photographs are more like 1.60" x 2.20". Most places around the world use the metric system. Only the US insist on still using feet and inches. Will they accept the photos if dimensions are a tad off?

Sure they will, don't even need the certified copy of your BC, but it could take just a little longer to verify that you're who you say you are.

You have any other ID with you? U.S. driver permit, school ID, AARP, most anything, with a photo is better, but without better than nothing. But, "nothing" is still OK, as I said, might take a tad longer.

Re your photos are a lot more than a "tad off." They like 2" x 2" for the photo, that's five (5) cm square. With the head size 1" min to 1 3/8ths max, that's 2.5 cm min x 3.5 cm max. Go get new photos.

And, yes, I've replaced lost ot stolen passports a couple times over the years, but I carry along xeroxed copies of the data page, plus a reduced credit card sized copy of the data page. Much easier that way, but NOT necessary.

(hope my math is right re the photo)

Mac

Good news about the passport. They didn't even ask for my birth certificate at all. All of that panic for nothing. I guess everything is computerised anyway, and I was there in person with recent photos and they've gor two weeks to check everything anyway.

[garet]

Check out http://bangkok.usemb..._passports.html

Reply: New Post:

Without the old passport or a certified copy of my birth certificate (I've got photocopies only), do you really think they'd accept my application?

That is great news if it works. I hope you're right.

Do you have experience with replacing a lost passport?

Also, my photographs are more like 1.60" x 2.20". Most places around the world use the metric system. Only the US insist on still using feet and inches. Will they accept the photos if dimensions are a tad off?

Sure they will, don't even need the certified copy of your BC, but it could take just a little longer to verify that you're who you say you are.

You have any other ID with you? U.S. driver permit, school ID, AARP, most anything, with a photo is better, but without better than nothing. But, "nothing" is still OK, as I said, might take a tad longer.

Re your photos are a lot more than a "tad off." They like 2" x 2" for the photo, that's five (5) cm square. With the head size 1" min to 1 3/8ths max, that's 2.5 cm min x 3.5 cm max. Go get new photos.

And, yes, I've replaced lost ot stolen passports a couple times over the years, but I carry along xeroxed copies of the data page, plus a reduced credit card sized copy of the data page. Much easier that way, but NOT necessary.

(hope my math is right re the photo)

Mac

Good news about the passport. They didn't even ask for my birth certificate at all. All of that panic for nothing. I guess everything is computerised anyway, and I was there in person with recent photos and they've gor two weeks to check everything anyway.

I got the email stating that my new passport is ready two weeks ago.

I'm not in Bangkok now, and I won't be able to pick it until next month.

Will the US embassy hold my passport for a month or longer? Is there a time limit that they'll hold it? I'd hate for them to cancel it within a month of issuing it.

Edited September 26, 2011 by garet