Tips to remember if you lose your passport

Tips to remember if you lose your passport:

Lost your passport while travelling? Don’t panic, take a deep breath and follow this basic protocol. 

Contact the Police

A lot of hotels and accommodations require you to have your passport to check in. By filing a report at the police station immediately, you can use the statement document as a place holder, so you’re not stuck in a sticky situation. In the statement, be clear and to-the-point about where you last saw your passport. The police will direct you to the embassy, so that you can apply for a new passport.

Go to the embassy
Most embassies have regular working hours, so get there before it closes. When you speak to the embassy official, mention the date when you are slated to leave the country you’re in. Replacement passports are usually issued within 24 hours or so.

Apply for a new passport
Make sure you have all your essentials with you when you reapply for your passport. This includes a photo ID, a travel itinerary like a plane ticket, the police report you filed and, most importantly, two passport-sized photos. If you don’t have photos, ask the embassy officer to help you locate a photo booth.

Note down your passport number and details
In most scenarios, while applying for a replacement passport, you do not need to produce a photocopy of the lost one. However, you will have to submit your passport number, date of issue and expiry, along with place of issue. Always have these details backed up on e-mail or on your phone, so that you can access it easily in case of an emergency.

Inform your airlines
If you’ve lost your passport prior to leaving, you will have to extend your stay in the country you’re in. If you find yourself in this situation, inform your airlines beforehand. This helps avoid confusion and if you’re lucky, they might even switch your flight without cancelling your ticket.