What do you do when you lose your passport overseas?
Before you left you:
- e-mailed photos of your passport and IDs to yourself
- Pack photocopies of your passport and visa
- Leave copies with a trusted friend in case your luggage is stolen or misrouted
- Downloaded Smart Traveler, a State Department smartphone app with contact information for embassies and consulates.
Now you’ve lost your passport. Use that app you downloaded to find the nearest embassy or consulate and make an appointment to replace your passport. Don’t have a smartphone? Call the Office of Overseas Citizens Service at 202-501-4444. For $135, they can print an emergency passport for you.
The process should be close to the same for the credit cards you take.
Before you leave:
- Email photos of your credit cards (front and back)
- Pack photo copies, front and back
- Leave copies with a trusted friend in case your luggage is stolen or misrouted
Now you’ve lost your credit cards. Just follow the instructions on the back of the card, call your credit card company and let them know. A new card can be issued immediately and any charges posted since the theft can be deleted.
Do the same for your medical and glasses prescriptions.
If you’re taking a pet:
- don’t forget verification of their vaccinations and copies of their prescriptions.
- check into the policy of the countries you’re visiting to make sure you pet won’t be in quarantine your whole vacation!