Read After a Lost or Stolen Passport!

When an American passport is lost or stolen, there are specific forms that the passport owner must fill out. In fact, those forms should be filled out as soon as possible, as lost passports are sometimes considered issues of national security. In addition, any individual can attempt to utilize the passport to impersonate the owner, or to use personal information to commit a crime against the owner of the passport. Passports contain a lot of personal information, including travel locations and personal details.

When American citizens believe that they have lost their passport, they can report that loss by phone. In addition, they have the option of reporting the lost passport or stolen passport by filing out a form. The difference between a lost passport or a stolen passport is not as vital as the necessity of reporting the missing passport. An American citizen would not be held accountable for either a lost passport or a stolen passport. However, they could be held responsible if they do not report the missing passport, or if it is believed that they profited from the loss of the passport by selling it, or trading for it. This is considered a serious issue of national security.

If citizens have lost passports, they must apply for a new passport in person. In order to receive their new passport, they will be required to show the same proof required for an original passport. This is a requirement because they do not have their old passport as proof of facts. If a citizen is in a foreign country when they have lost passports or cannot relocate stolen passports, they must call their closest United States embassy for advice. Generally, an appointment will be made so that United States citizens can apply for a new passport as soon as possible. If anyone should find a stolen passport or a lost passport, they should either mail it to the owner, or to a governmental agency, so that it can be handled properly.

Citizens that have been a victim of criminals that make money from stolen passports, should not only report that theft to the United States, but also in the jurisdiction where the crime took place. Often, thieves use stolen passports to try and decipher any security features. In some cases, they may also try to alter the passport and utilize it, pretending to be the owner of that passport. Stolen passport crimes should be taken seriously and reported as soon as possible.

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