booklets and brochures

your passport to a safe trip abroad

during your stay in a foreign country

passport protection

Your passport is the most significant identification you will carry. This is your proof of U.S. citizenship while traveling abroad. Passport theft, particularly of American tourist passports, is on the increase. Take extra precautions to protect your passport because its loss or theft may cause you unnecessary travel complications as well as significant expenses.

To minimize potential loss or theft, it is recommended that you carry your passport in a front pocket or in a pouch hidden in your clothes. The only time your passport should leave your possession is if the hotel requires you to leave it at the desk during your stay. Some areas use this procedure to register you with the local police - a routine policy. Don't forget to ask for a receipt and be very sure to retrieve your passport before continuing your trip.

Use discretion in displaying your passport, as it could draw undue attention to you. Memorizing your passport number and other essential information will help you avoid flashing your passport around when filling out items such as landing cards and hotel registration forms. If your passport is lost or stolen abroad, report the situation IMMEDIATELY to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and to the local police authorities. Again, having copies of your passport identification page and/or birth certificate, along with extra passport photos, will help speed the replacement process.

Establish Points of Contact

Establishing points of contact is important. Someone should know your whereabouts from the time you depart the United States until you return home. Provide your contact with a detailed copy of your itinerary and advise him/her of any changes. If you are traveling on business, you should establish a point of contact in the country you are visiting. Be sure to carry that person's name and telephone number with you.

Depending on your personal circumstances or if your travel involves an extended stay, it may be advisable to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This will make it easier should someone at home need to locate you urgently or in the unlikely event that you need to be evacuated due to an emergency.