Preparation is Key:

 

Before you even pack your bags, take these crucial steps to minimize the impact of a potential passport loss:

• Make Copies: Photocopy your passport’s information page and keep a digital copy securely stored in your email or cloud storage. Leave a physical copy with a trusted friend or family member at home, and email them a copy as well (so they can email it back to you or an embassy if needed).
• Travel.State.Gov is Your Friend: Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website (travel.state.gov) for comprehensive travel information, including passport requirements, visa information, and country-specific travel advisories.  
• Download the Smart Traveler App:  Smart Traveler is available for free in the iTunes store.  At my latest check it was not available on Google Play. 🙁  This app provides real-time travel alerts, embassy and consulate information, and the ability to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  
• Enroll in STEP: Registering your trip with STEP allows the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to know your location and contact you in case of an emergency, including natural disasters, civil unrest, or, yes, passport loss. This is your lifeline when things go awry.  You can enroll in STEP on Travel.state.gov.  It takes about 20 minutes to complete the enrollment, but well worth the time when you need it. 
• Carry Extra Passport Photos: Have a few extra passport-sized photos with you. They’ll be essential if you need to apply for an emergency passport.  You can get these taken at many chain pharmacies. 
• Keep Contact Information Handy: Compile a list of important contact numbers, including the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, your credit card companies, and your travel insurance provider.  Keep these on a printout and on your phone. 

What to Do When Your Passport is Gone–step by step

If you discover your passport is missing, don’t panic. Take a deep breath and follow these steps:

1. Report the Loss: Immediately report the loss or theft to the local police and obtain a police report. This report is crucial for your emergency passport application.
2. If you were aiming to fly home within the next 2 days, you may want to contact your airline and change your flight.  Remember, if you miss your flight, it is non-refundable, but if you shift it in advance, it can be changed for free or for a modest fee. 
3. Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate: Visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as possible. They are your primary resource for assistance.  You will need to visit the embassy/consulate in person.
4. Apply for an Emergency Passport: You’ll need to provide the following:
   • A completed Form DS-11 (Application for a U.S. Passport).  
   • The police report.
   • Proof of U.S. citizenship (e.g., a copy of your birth certificate or driver’s license or copy of your lost passport).
   • 2 passport-sized photos.
   • Proof of your travel itinerary.
   • Payment for the emergency passport fee.
5. Cooperate with Embassy Officials: Be patient and cooperative with embassy staff. They are there to help you, but they also have procedures to follow.  These can take time. 
6. Secure Temporary Travel Documents: Once you have your emergency passport, you can arrange for new travel documents to return to the United States.

I met a fellow traveler in Barcelona who had their backpack, including their passport, stolen from a crowded tourist area. They were understandably distraught, but they had wisely made copies of their passport and enrolled in STEP. Within a day, they were at the U.S. Consulate, and within a few days, they had an emergency passport and were able to continue their travels. This story reinforced the importance of being prepared.

Conversely, another traveler who did not prep well had a much more difficult time when her passport went missing from her hotel room and went unnoticed until she was ready to head home.  She was delayed for over a week and had to pay for a hotel out of pocket while waiting for the emergency passport.

 

Returning to the United States:

With your emergency passport in hand, you can book a flight back to the United States. Upon arrival, you’ll go through customs and immigration as usual.

 

What About Your Driver’s License?

Losing your driver’s license abroad is less critical than losing your passport, but it can still be inconvenient.

• It’s Not a Travel Document: A U.S. driver’s license is not a valid travel document for international travel. You’ll still need your emergency passport to leave the country.
• Report the Loss: Report the loss to the local police and obtain a police report.  Keep in mind that someone could use your license to establish a false identity.
• Contact Your State’s DMV: Once you return to the United States, contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to apply for a replacement driver’s license.

Prevention is the Best Medicine:

• Use a money belt or neck wallet to keep your passport and other important documents close to your body and secure.  I also find that zippered pockets in shorts worn under a skirt, or zippered pockets inside a vest or jacket works well for this.  Zippered is key here!
• Be aware of your surroundings, particularly in crowded areas and tourist hotspots.
• Don’t leave your passport unattended: Never leave your passport in your hotel room or rental car.  There are some hotels that will hold your passport for the duration of your stay.  I always panic at this, but they are typically safe. 
• For a different kind of protection, consider a passport wallet with RFID blocking. This can help protect your passport from electronic theft.