| A stolen passport can feel like an invasion of | | | | a birth certificate and driver's license. If the |
| privacy. A passport contains a wealth of personal | | | | traveler does not have the birth certificate on |
| information and losing it can feel like the loss of | | | | hand, it will need to be sent to them via an |
| identity. Not to mention that without a passport | | | | overnight courier. If the identifying document is |
| no travel abroad may take place until it has been | | | | not readily available, several forms of secondary |
| replaced. Someone who has his or her passport | | | | identification will be acceptable. All acceptable |
| stolen while on vacation faces the added worry | | | | documents are clearly listed on the government |
| of wondering if re-entrance into the home | | | | and processing service Web sites. |
| country will be permitted. This situation could end | | | | The person will also need to provide two new |
| up costing the traveler much more money and | | | | passport photos. These photos must adhere to |
| time than was ever intended when departing on | | | | certain guidelines in order to be used in a |
| vacation. | | | | passport, so if traveling it may be best to have a |
| Stolen passports may be reported to the federal | | | | passport photographer take the photos. These |
| government via telephone and the passport | | | | photographers know exactly what to do and |
| holder will need to complete a form stating how | | | | locating one can be done via Internet or phone |
| and when the passport was stolen. In order to | | | | book search. |
| replace the passport, the individual will need to | | | | The applicant should then contact the processing |
| complete an application for a new passport book. | | | | company to find out the best method to get the |
| The processing time for these applications can | | | | documentation, photos, and application to the |
| take up to eight weeks. In many situations, this is | | | | company based on where the applicant is located. |
| not feasible, so the alternative of using an | | | | FedEx and UPS have offices worldwide, so they |
| independent service to get a new passport within | | | | are usually a safe option. These carriers also |
| one to two business days will be the best option. | | | | provide package tracking which is a must in a |
| These online services have a wealth of | | | | situation such as this. |
| information and forms posted on their Web sites. | | | | These private companies charge additional fees |
| They will require that the applicant complete the | | | | for processing passport applications but it is a |
| government forms for passport application and | | | | small price to pay in order to get back home. The |
| stolen passport reporting. The companies usually | | | | fees range from approximately $150 for |
| require an applicant to complete an order form | | | | three-day processing to $300 for next-day |
| and possibly a confidentiality form. Each of the | | | | processing. These charges are in addition to the |
| forms may be downloaded and printed wherever | | | | government fees for passport processing. Several |
| the traveler may be. | | | | forms of payment are accepted, so the traveler |
| The applicant will need to provide documentation | | | | should not have a problem making payment as |
| proving identification and citizenship. These include | | | | long as the funds are available. |