BEFORE YOU GO ON YOUR TRIP

-PUT IN YOUR PHONE-The closest State Dept phone number of your destination. ALSO PUT IN YOUR PHONE The U.S. Department of State's Office of Overseas Citizens Services (888) 407-4747 (or from overseas +1 202-501-4444) can assist U.S. citizens who are temporarily destitute abroad.

-THINGS TO BRING-Bring a color photocopy of the picture page of your passport overseas. Also, snap a picture of your passport to have on your phone. 0r 1 of the following items. A photocopy of your birth certificate or an expired passport can be used as proof of identity and proof of citizenship all in one.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PASSPORT IS LOST OR STOLEN

1. Report loss or theft to US Authorities DS-64 forms-Statement of Valid Lost or Stolen US Passport. Form Questions-Explain in detail when your valid US passport was lost or stolen. Explain where the loss or theft occurred. Explain what date the loss or theft occurred. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/lost-stolen.html Once you have reported your passport lost or stolen, the State Department invalidates it. You cannot use it if you find it.

2. Apply for a replacement GO TO THE US EMBASSY NEAR YOU. Most U.S. embassies and consulates cannot issue passports on weekends or holidays. I noticed in France that applications for emergency passports are on a walk-in basis ONLY from 8a-9a Monday through Friday at the Paris State Dept. Once you get to the embassy you have to fill out DS-11 form- Application for a US Passport. Provide a birth certificate or photocopy of a birth certificate. Or hospital birth records or published birth announcements like a newspaper article. Proof of identity-Driver's license. Previous passport. 2 x 2 passport photo taken less than 6 months ago. No eyeglasses, no head coverings, no uniforms. Plain white or off white background. The State Dept can help you with this. I take a passport photo on my phone. If you have urgent travel plans, the State Dept. can issue a limited-validity, emergency passport that can be produced more quickly to allow you to return to the U.S. or continue on your trip. Once you return home, you can turn in your emergency passport and receive a full-validity passport. By the way, when you get a new passport it will have a NEW NUMBER!

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/apply-in-person.html

3. Pay up

As of this date the cost of a replacement passport is $130.

The good news is that if you had Global Entry linked with your old passport, you will not need to apply and pay for the program again. Simply log in to the Global Entry system to update it with your new passport number when you receive it.

4. Check your travel protection benefits

Travel insurance might also help in covering flight change fees or additional expenses, especially if a police report can show that a passport was stolen and not just misplaced. This type of travel protection comes included the American Express® Green Card and the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.