Italian hotels have to register their guests with the police by law. Usually they take your passports on arrival...I havent been asked to give info I advance but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen I guess.

What are you apprehensive about exactly?

Not sure why they want it, but I would not have a concern sending my pp # to a hotel.

Not sure what they could do with it that would harm me in any way.

Well, I couldn't think of a single thing anyone could do with just a passport number, so I googled:

http://www.rushmypassport.com/blog/2009/07/if-someone-steals-your-passport-number-should-you-apply-for-a-new-passport/

As I suspected, seems if you have the actual passport in hand, shouldn't be a problem.

Airlines all ask for it, anyway, nowadays, and I've had other apartments or hotels ask for it from me (not in Italy). From what I've heard, Italy kind be kind of backwards about some things regarding passports and hotels, such as making you give it to them and them keeping it, rather than just copying your number down on the spot.

But airlines ask for it when you book, and I imagine it is just easier to ask for it when you book rather than them having to keep track of every guest and ask them later on some specified date before arrival. That would be a pain and it seems easier just to ask for it when you book.

I didn't do it in advance, but I left our passport copies with the front desk clerk in Venice - what can they do? Double-check with US government we are not criminals?

It's not a credit card or checking account number!

Dayenu, the hotels have to fill out a form every day to turn over to the local PD where the hotel in Italy is located. That is how sometimes the Italian PD track down criminals. I have always given my passport to the hotel when I arrive and got it back within a hour or so but I have never had a request to send the information months in advance.

L'Italy, so you and I are not criminals, so far so good

I'm not sure what they would do with it either, but like you, it would strike me as an odd request. I'm sure it's just really eager bookkeeping by the hotel. If they ask again, just tell them you don't have the number (its in your safety deposit box) and that you'll present it when you arrive, like usual.

I know that they have to register you with the local PD, and normally they take your passport for a few minutes when you check into the hotel, but what I can't figure out is why it would be of benefit to anyone to give that information to the PD months in advance of the arrival of a client. Surely people cancel reservations - doesn't the hotel then have to get back to the PD and report that that client isn't coming?

I don't get it, but I also see no harm in anyone having just a passport number when the actual passport is physically in the possession of the owner.

It is conceivable that you might not even have a passport yet for a trip in July, so how could this request ever be enforced? I would not send it--seems a bit odd to me. (In more than 25 trips to Italy, handing over the passport on arrival to complete the visitor registration has been fine. I've never been asked for the number before arrival.)

I like kit's suggestion: it's in the safety deposit box and I'll be glad to give it to you upon arrival.

I agree that I can't think of any bad thing they might do with it, but in at least 50 bookings in Italy, I've never been asked for a pp # in advance.

Like many of the above posters, I can't ever remember an Italian hotel asking for such information in advance.

Did you get this request by e-mail? Are you sure it is actually from the hotel?

If you are sure it is from the hotel, are you sure it is a request for your passport information? Perhaps your hotel owner doesn't really speak English and is asking for something else, like your flight information.

Anyway, if you really like the hotel, call them and ask what's up.

PS: In case you are not aware, there are certain forms of hacking that allow scamsters to uncover the fact you've made a booking with this hotel, and then mimic the hotel's e-mail address to send you a request for a response about something, revealing personal information. When you reply to the "hotel", your e-mail will go to the scamsters.

Don't know if this is what is happening here, but you are right to be apprehensive.

There are other ways to transfer that information... write a letter, or perhaps even use this clever invention - claimed by Italians for one of their own:

http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telefono

Peter

Peter,

can you think of any legitimate reason why a hotel would want passport information in advance? Would you send it -- even by mail or telephone? I wouldn't.

When a hotel registers you with the local police upon arrival, the police will only accept a xerox copy of your passport with your picture. The police also don't accept anything in advance of your arrival.

This is a very odd request and I would either find another hotel or call to get an explanation.

Also, to others:

Criminals can do a lot with your passport number, especially if they can also connect it to your credit card number and your e-mail address. Even more so if the request for "passport information" means a request for one's birth date, place of birth, etc.