Hi Folks <BR> <BR>I'm a little confused on the issue of carrying ID in Paris. I'm a British citizen but don't have any other form of "official" EU identification. I live in the US. I am a little concerned about being stopped for "papers" especially considering the fact that I'm not white (sorry, Lets Go Paris actually mentions that fact!!). MY question: <BR> <BR>- Do I always have to carry some form of ID? <BR>- What would be an acceptable ID to carry? <BR> <BR>Passport? (hate to carry that around) <BR>International Teachers ID? <BR>US Drivers License? <BR> <BR>Thanks for your help <BR> <BR>FJ

I am not sure I am qualified to answer your question other than I have been to Paris more than once, and wandered around Europe for several weeks. I have yet to be asked for a passport, or any other form of identification, other than when entering or leaving the country, and once or twice when checking into a hotel or renting a car. <BR> <BR>I carry my passport on me because I feel it is safer in a pouch around my neck than if I left in a hotel room. If you were out and about on the streets of Paris, and someone asked you for identification, I think it would be under exceptional circumstances. For that reason, I doubt if the other forms of identification would do much good. <BR> <BR>Of course, you always have to be alert for scams. I got "took" once when I had gotten off of the boat at the Hook of Holland and was walking to my train for Hamburg. An official looking gentleman clad in a black suit asked to see my passport. It was early, I was less than fully alert, so I "fell for it." I put my suitcases down to get my passport out. When I did, the fellow picked up my luggage and started off with it. It turned out he was a porter, and his asking me for my passport was a ploy to make me put my luggage down. I was furious, so I ran him down and reclaimed my property. Slick trick!! <BR>

I thought I read once somewhere that it was illegal for tourists to travel throughout France without their passports on them in case they were asked. I've been there three times and have never been asked for ID. Although I do agree with Bob, I always feel safer with it in a pouch around my neck than "hidden" somewhere in my hotel room. Having a lost or stolen passport is not an experience I ever want to have.

Thanks for your quick replies. In my case I'll be spending a month in Paris. So should I carry my Passport around for a month?? That'd be really tough. Besides, I think I'll feel safer leaving my Passport in the apartment room that I"m renting under lock and key of course. Any other alternatives? <BR> <BR>FJ

I had a real scare in Paris one day when I did NOT have my passport on me, but I was carrying a photocopy. There had been some bombings on the RER. I was on a bus. The bus ahead of stopped and armed men (soldiers, police, or something) got on the bus. We were told to wait on our bus. The passengers on the other bus were all producing their passports and opening suitcases. We waited, and I sweated. I finally asked the bus driver what would happen to me. He said probably at worst, because I did have the photo copy identification, that I would be detained and taken to the police station, and then I would have to get proof that I had a passport. He said <BR>I would end up wasting a day. Luckily, it was a "spot" check, and our bus was waved on. I always carried my passport from that day forward, and I have been to Paris twice since that incident. If you are there for a month, I don't think you would like to carry a passport all the time. Why don't you make a copy and carry it? Since time wasted will not be such a problem with you, that may work. If your passport is lost, a copy always helps speed up the process of obtaining another in a foreign country.

I believe this is worth the effort, and it will cost you only a few dollars. <BR> <BR>Go to any Kinko's; make a photo-reduced color copy of your passport open to page one. With just a little tinkering/practice you can get it to come out the same size as your driver's license. Have it laminated, stick it in your wallet and forget about it. <BR> <BR>The hospital is very likely going to issue you some kind of ID card/badge - - with these two items, I think you will be prepared to answer any question from any official under any circumstances. <BR> <BR>And the likelihood that you will get stopped and asked for ANY such thing is about the same as getting struck by lightning. But having it will be one less thing to worry about! <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex

In the literature I received from the Official France Tourist Office, it states that you are required by French law to have identification at all times and it is recommended that you carry a photocopy of your passport, leaving the original in a secured place (such as a hotel safe). You can also apply for an EU ID card (which requires two photos and a fingerprint on the application, but this takes ten days to process. Of the dozens of folks who participate in the France travel boards on AOL, no on has reported any problem whatsoever with a photocopy of their passport. In fact, no one has ever mentioned being asked for ID.

Donna, Rex ..... thanks for your comments. I think that's what I'll do ....make a color copy of my passport and laminate it. Incidentally, British passports have the picture and info on the LAST page (god knows why). I <BR> <BR>FJ