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How to keep your passport safe while you're on holiday

10 Tips For Preventing Passport Problems
By: William Manor

This article covers 10 practical tips you can follow to keep your passport in your possession, and preserve it in good condition while on holiday.

1. First and foremost Make two copies of your passport and photos.

2. Give one copy of your passport to a friend or relative who can be easily contacted in case of an emergency. Take the other copy and the extra photos with you on your trip. If you use an online document storage service, you can scan your passport and upload a copy. That way, you can access it from almost anywhere in the world.

While You're Away

3. Always keep your passport in a safe place!

Never leave your passport in your baggage, backpack, purse, car, hotel room, or anywhere else! When you must carry your passport, keep it in a money belt or inside coat pocket. Upon arrival at the hotel, put your passport in the hotel safe.

4. Never lay your passport down anywhere.

Passports placed on a counter, phone booth or table can be easily forgotten or stolen. Practice the habit of immediately putting your passport away after using it.

5. If you travel as a family or as part of a group, don't let one person carry all the passports.

The odds are much greater for one person carrying all the passports to lose them or have them stolen than for all the passports to be stolen or lost if each individual owner carries them.

6. Never let anyone leave your presence with your passport.

When you're checking in at the airport, passing through customs, exchanging currency, or doing anything else that requires you to show your passport, never allow the person examining your passport to leave your presence. If the person starts to leave, call their attention and request to accompany them.

Law enforcement records show that U.S. passports are sometimes used for unlawful entry into the United States or by criminals abroad seeking to establish another identity. You would be pretty embarrassed if your name were associated with illegal activities.

7 . Immediately report the loss of your passport.

If you are careful and follow the tips above, you shouldn't have any problem with the loss of your passport.

If it does occur though, immediately notify the local police and then proceed to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Take the copy of your passport and extra photos with you. You will be issued a temporary passport that you can replace upon returning to the United States.

After You Return

8 . Schedule your passport renewal.

Check the expiration date and make a reminder to renew your passport at the proper time. Remember, you should begin the process 8 to 11 months prior to the expiration date. Put the reminder somewhere where it won't be forgotten.

9 . Check the number of blank pages remaining.

Some countries require a blank page for their visa. If you plan a future trip on which you will visit various countries, you might need the same number of pages as countries to be visited.

If you do not have an adequate number of pages but your passport is not due for renewal, you can request additional pages.

10. Store your passport in a safe place.

If you have a safe in your home, keep your passport there. If not, consider a safety deposit box at your local bank.

Follow the practical tips above and you can easily avoid passport problems and more fully enjoy your international travels.

This article submitted by William Manor owner of U.S. Passport Service Guide, a comprehensive resource for U.S. citizens who travel internationally.
http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com