The Paris Souvenir Nobody Wants: An Emergency Passport
- Amy Leggett
- 28 minutes ago
- 10 min read
There I was, sitting in the back of a taxi, ready to head home after an amazing trip to Paris and Northern France. I had just said goodbye to my travel companions and Rob, our wonderful group tour manager, and was ready to be heading back to my kitties and my cozy home in upstate NY. I did a quick inventory to make sure I had my phone, my purse and my passport. I reached my hand in my small cross-body purse fully expecting to feel the smooth, thin passport book that never leaves my bag. Imagine my confusion...then surprise...then shock when I discovered that my passport was not in its normal spot. I frantically looked in all the possible nooks and crannies of the purse and then started rifling through my larger carry-on looking for the missing passport. I didn't expect it to be there because I never take it out of my cross-body bag, but I was desperate. I immediately asked the cab driver to turn around and go back to the hotel. I frantically texted Rob explaining that I was heading back because my passport was missing. As I ran back into the hotel, Rob was already at the front desk getting a room key and we both raced back up to my room and did a thorough search of the room. No passport.
This is when I really started to freak out realizing I was not going to be flying home that day. Thankfully Rob remained calm and helped me focus my attention on what steps I needed to take to resolve this crisis. Once we created a "to-do" list I was able to start the process of fixing this traumatic travel experience. I am now writing this blog from the comfort of my couch. I did not have to establish a new residence in France because my passport was stolen. Although maybe that wouldn't have been so bad!
I have traveled internationally for years and am definitely aware of the dangers of pick pockets, especially in the major tourist cities like Paris, Rome, Barcelona, etc. I was very conscientious and had created my own system that seemed to work as I had been able to avoid any problems...until now. Experiencing this travel nightmare has caused me to re-evaluate what I have been doing with regard to safeguarding my valuables and taught me what I need to do in the event a smart thief gets me again!
How It Usually Happens:
Theft of your passport, your credit cards or your phone is not generally dramatic. It's not usually a mugging, it is a distract and grab. It usually occurs in broad daylight in the middle of a crowd. In fact, areas crowded with tourists is a pick-pocket's dream. Lots of bumping and jostling, distracted targets looking at the surrounding sights, taking pictures. Or perhaps a "distraction" is created drawing your attention away while a partner in crime is gaining access to your bag. The common thread? A moment of distraction, in a crowd, with your valuables somewhere accessible.
I have generally used a small, zipped cross-body bag that I consciously keep in front of me (usually with my hand resting on the top of the bag). I have used this bag for several years and have completed many trips incident free. On this trip, I think my passport was stolen while we were walking through the Versailles Palace. There was a huge crowd, pushed together while we moved from room to room. I was trying to take pictures and at one point noticed my bag had shifted behind me. At another point (I'm not sure at what point in the day it was), I noticed the zipper to the bag was opened. It registered as strange, but I thought I just might have forgotten to zip it after I had opened it to put something back in my bag. I briefly chastised myself for being careless, but continued on with my tour. I did not think to check if anything was missing. It had been a momentary lapse...but that was all it took. I didn't realize my passport was gone until I was in the taxi the following day.
Safeguarding Your Valuables:
The three most important things you have when you travel are your passport, your money/credit cards, and your phone. They should receive the highest level of attention and protection to avoid any catastrophic travel problems. A few habits go a long way toward making sure you will not have the same travel "experience" I had!
Leave your passport "at home" when you can. This is what I didn't do. But let me explain. I know myself and I know what would happen if I put my passport in the safe. I would leave the hotel without my passport. Even if I thought of it while I was brushing my teeth, I would forget to grab it while I was grabbing everything else. I felt it was safer to just keep it with me in (what I thought was) a secure bag. I have heard suggestions that you should put something else in the safe that you can't leave the hotel without (like one of your shoes) so you definitely won't forget. I still feel somewhat hesitant about this plan of action, but may have to rethink given my recent experience. I have also heard of people keeping their passport somewhere hidden in their suitcase. Someone even suggested keeping it in with the dirty laundry as they figured no one would rifle through that. A little gross...but hey, whatever works!
I also need to mention that I have some hesitancy at leaving valuables in the hotel room given warnings I have received in the past about the high incidence of hotel theft. I usually put the "Do Not Disturb" sign on my door so no one will come into the room, but if you are staying somewhere for a number of days that probably won't work. You will need restocking of towels and toilet paper at some point. Again, make use of the safe (if you trust your memory) or make sure to put valuables away and out of easy sight.
Use a bag that works against pick pockets. Backpacks worn on your back may be convenient for you, but they are also convenient for the pick pockets and make you an easy mark. If you must carry a backpack, find one with zippers that face inward and wear them on your front on crowded buses and trains and in busy tourist areas. Cross-body bags worn in front of you generally make you a more difficult target. However, as I experienced, one moment of distraction when the bag slips out of place puts you at risk. Additionally, I was a bit concerned on this trip (even before I was a victim) because I had seen videos of thiefs cutting straps of cross-body bags and then grabbing the bag and escaping. One couple I met at the embassy getting my emergency passport had this happen. The wife had a wristlet containing her passport and the strap was cut and slipped from her wrist without her even noticing at first! Best case is a money belt or bag that can be worn under clothes without exposed straps or zippers.
Split Up Your Valuables. This is something I didn't do and am honestly lucky that I didn't have more damage from my theft. The woman I mentioned above had her money, credit cards, phone and passport in her wristlet that got stolen. Fortunately for her she was traveling with her husband who still had his phone and access to funds. If something like that happened to me while traveling solo that would really be devastating. From now on I will definitely be leaving one of my bank cards at the hotel along with my passport...in different hidden locations of course. Splitting things up may be a bit inconvenient, but definitely less problematic than losing all your stuff at the same time!
Photograph and Photocopy Everything. Take a clear photo of your passport's photo page, your visa (if applicable), and your credit/bank cards (front and back). Email yourself a copy of these pictures and leave a copy with someone you trust. I would also stick a copy in your suitcase for easy access. This will save you time and headaches if something goes missing. Another thing that really helped me in obtaining my emergency passport is that I had recorded my passport information in my digital wallet. If you have an iphone, open the Wallet app on your phone and tap the Add (+) button at the top right. Select Driver's License or ID Cards and tap Digital ID. You will then get step-by-step instructions for scanning your passport information into the digital wallet. I assume other cell phones have this option, but I am not familiar with those systems. I will say that I was SO relieved that I had done this so that I had my stolen passport information handy. I didn't bring photocopies of my passport because I had this digital copy, but if my phone had been stolen too I would have been screwed. I will be doing both going forward. Photocopies along with the digital wallet will keep you protected!
Just be Aware. When traveling, know the risks and take all reasonable precautions. Don't stick your phone in your back pocket. Don't keep valuable things in unzipped pockets or bags (even for a moment!) Don't wear backpacks in crowded, touristy spaces. Be aware of people invading your personal space. Be skeptical of things or people trying to distract your attention. Don't hang your bag on the back of your chair in a restaurant or bar. Don't engage with locals trying to get you to sign petitions or donate to charities (a ploy to see where you keep your cash or credit cards). I am not trying to scare you or make your paranoid. Just use common sense while you are out and about and you should be fine.
What to Do If Your Passport Is Stolen:
Here is where my experience can be for your benefit. Knowing exactly what to do if your passport gets stolen will get you back home with the least amount of chaos. Having to get an emergency passport was a pain and it was time-consuming, but it was not complicated.
Contact your country's embassy or consulate. This is the most important call you will make and it will begin the process for replacing your passport. Each country may have different procedures, but I can describe the process in Paris. I assume it will be similar in each country. I discovered my missing passport on a Sunday when no one was at the US Embassy (of course!), but they have a 24 hour emergency number I was able to call and receive emergency assistance. I was immediately directed to the appropriate section of the US Embassy website (go to the French US Embassy menu and click on American Citizen's Services). On this page I was directed to a section for emergency passports which instructed me to send an email to PassportsParis@state.gov advising of my stolen passport, providing requested information and requesting an appointment during business hours to secure an emergency passport. In Paris, you cannot just walk in to the US Embassy for an emergency passport. You MUST have a scheduled appointment and this email will secure that time. I sent it on Sunday and they responded first thing Monday morning with a 9:15 am appointment time.
The US Embassy/Consulate in Paris (I got yelled at for taking this picture!) File a police report immediately. Filing a police report will give notice that your passport has been lost/stolen and will immediately invalidate it. You will not be able to use your passport even if you subsequently find it, so be absolutely sure it is gone. This is important to avoid any illegal use of your identity or use of your passport for illicit purposes. The Embassy will ask you if a police report has been filed. The police report is also necessary for any insurance claims you may need to make. In Paris, there is a police station right off the Champs-Élysées that is used to handle lost/stolen passports specifically. They will provide you with a report-called a "récépissé"
Cancel your cards. If your wallet went with your passport, call your banks and credit card companies right away. Most have international collect-call numbers for exactly this situation. You may want to save these numbers somewhere other than your phone before you travel.
Check in with your airline. I was mere hours away from boarding my flight when I discovered my passport was missing. I called my airline right away and explained the situation. They were so kind and helpful. The airline waived all last minute change fees and refunded seat charges I had paid for an upgraded seat.on my original flight The agent rescheduled my flight for Tuesday morning, but advised that I could call back if I had not yet secured my emergency passport to reschedule. Luckily I was able to catch that Tuesday morning flight and get back home!
Save all receipts for insurance purposes. If you have travel insurance, be sure to save all receipts for additional expenses (including the fee for the emergency passport) as your policy may cover a chunk of the additional travel expenses incurred because your return home was delayed.
Stay calm and breath. This is certainly one of the most stressful things that can happen while traveling. When it sunk in that my passport was missing I definitely had my moment of panic. But the good news is that it is a fixable situation. You will not be forced to relocate to your vacation destination. You will make it home again. Once you have a plan of action (as listed above), it helps you focus and take the steps you need to take to resolve the problem and get you on your way. Everyone was generally very sympathetic and kind and wanted to help me. The whole process at the Embassy is simple, but you do need to be patient as there is a LOT of waiting. They said the appointment would take three hours and I pictured an intense interrogation asking about how my passport disappeared and my US citizenship. Instead it was about 15 minutes of interaction with consulate employees and the rest of the time was spent chatting with other American travelers while sitting in uncomfortable waiting chairs.
The Silver Lining:
A stolen passport is never fun, but it does tend to produce a good story eventually...and a much more careful traveler going forward. I got to spend a couple extra days in a beautiful city, eat a few more delicious pastries and learn what to do in this situation so I could share it with you! At the end of the day, I had an amazing trip, met some wonderful people and made it back home a bit wiser!
Comments