Passport Copy
 

I have seen several comments about carrying a copy of one's passport and leaving the original in the safe at the hotel. Does one copy all the pages or just the cover and picture page?
Thanks

Just the cover and the picture page. But if you need to cash traveller's checks, you'll need to have the real passport with you.

Picture and signature page does it.

Usually just your specific information is copied so if you lose the passport they have your number etc,. We usually never leave the passport in a safe but carry it with us in a secure hidden pocket type device.

The copy is usually retained elsewhere from your person so if you lose the original you have the copy. A thought now is if you have remote access to your computer files, scan the passport in and have a copy there.

We copy and carry just the picture page, but we have never been asked for it.

Has anyone actually been unexpectedly asked to show a passport in a foreign country while touring outside of the hotel? ((#))

I've read a thread a while go stating that it's against the Federal law to copy government documents, including passports. Can anyone enlighten me on this? Has anyone encountered problem with a federal officer?

I don't believe that it's a problem legally, to copy the ID page of your passport. It's easier to replace it should it be lost or stolen because it has all of the pertinent information including the passport number.

I suspect there is a difference in copying your passport for identification purposes, and copying someone else's passport for who-knows-what purpose.

(:

what I read was that it was illegal to COLOR copy a passport.

an old fashioned B&W copy is still ok.

Hi
I have been asked for my passport while shopping, in order to arrange for VAT refund paperwork.
Once I just used the photocopy, which was fine.

Someone recently pointed out to me that it would also be a good backup plan to leave a set of the photocopies you carry (passport, credit card numbers, atm numbers, etc) with someone reliable at home, who could fax them to you in an emergency. That same reliable person could, with necessary passwords make the local phone calls on your behalf to your bank or credit company in case of lost cards.

Yes yes, just to add to the above, always make sure relatives have a copy of your passport before leaving the country. It doesn't hurt to give them copies of your birth certificates as well. I learned all this the hard way, when our passports were stolen in '97 at the Athen's airport, on our way home. Anyone you leave copies with should also be willing and able to fax things to you in the event of an emergency--and as in our case, in the middle of the night.

As a result, we never leave our passports anywhere. When abroad, I always carry them on my person--mainly out of fear for what happened 6 years ago.

Well I made color copies of my pic page(and my wifes'). Guess I'll see if I get in any trouble. As far as credit cards go... I called all of mine and got the collect number to call while in Europe. That why I can call, free of charge, if I need to report a card lost or stolen.

Let's look in the horse's mouth. Check out the US State Dept - Passport web site. <http://travel.state.gov/tips_for_travelers.html>

It advises you to make 2 copies of your passport identification page, take one with you and leave one home. There is nothing about color. ;;)

Also- I had to have my passport ammended after I was married. They printed the notice that my name was offically changed in the back of the passport, so I also carry a copy of that page along with a copy of the first page.

With regard to the collect numbers for reporting credit card loss, it isn't just that it is free. You must use them or some other ordinary number. You cannot call an 800 number outside of the US.

About showing you passport for the VAT refund in a store: we show our drivers license & that seems to be enough.

You should also photocopy any relevant visa pages.

I was asked for my passport when I bought a plane ticket at Iberia's offices. I'm not entirely sure if it was a security issue (because I was buying a plane ticket) or an identification issue because I wanted to use a credit card. The agent explained something to me in Spanish (I caught about half of it), and she might have said that in Spain, they sometimes want to see your passport when you use a credit card for an expensive item. I expect a copy of the photo and signature would be sufficient.

What do you mean Gretchen??? I do understand that you cannot call an 800, 877, etc number outside the US(and perhaps Canada) but how are the other numbers not free? Get the operator on the phone and tell her(him) you would like to make a collect call. Give them the phone number (Non toll free number). Doesn't get any more free than that. Each of my credit card compaies offer this service. Some post the number on back and tell you call collect outside of the US, the others you need to call ahead of time to get that number. Point being, you should not have to pay to report your card lost or stolen.

I just copy the first double page in B&W. I always assumed this was simply to make it easier to replace your passport if it was lost/stolen because it shows all the information/numbers, not that you'd actually use it as a form of ID. Actually I carry my real passport & keep the copy tucked in my suitcase.

I always carry around a copy of the page with the info and my photo, no need for the cover as it doesn't say anything but your country, which is on the inside page. I have used that copy to cash travelers' checks with no problem quite a few times. I don't think a place would have to accept it, but they always have.

Here's a handy-dandy little FAQ sheet that our passport photographer gave us at the time we had the photos made. He mad us a set of 4.

PASSPORT PHOTOS
There is probably no more recognizable and valuable identification document on the planet than the U. S. PASSPORT. Here are some tips that we hope you will find useful:
? Before you travel make Xerox copies of your open passport. Put a copy in one of your bags. Actually, if you have luggage you?re checking, put a copy of your passport inside that bag. It is a good idea to have another copy in your carry-on or in a purse or a money belt.
? Leave another copy in an easily accessible place at home. This is in case you have to call someone to retrieve it; it shouldn?t be too hard to find.
? Before you travel leave yet another copy with a trusted friend or family member. It may sound like overkill BUT it doesn?t hurt to write down your passport number on a separate sheet, leave a copy in your luggage apart from your passport. Should you lose your passport abroad this will cut down replacement time from days or weeks to hours or a few days at most. The copy sheet is easily faxed to virtually anywhere on Earth.
? A PASSPORT IS A VERY VALUABLE DOCUMENT! There is a healthy black market for passports, particularly U. S. passports!
? We hope it is obvious to you men that you would NEVER carry your passport, or anything of value, in a hip pocket, even if it has a button or a zipper.
? When traveling DO NOT CARRY YOUR PASSPORT IN A ?FANNY? OR A ?BELLY? PACK! Handy as they are, these little bags virtually scream, ?Tourist!?
In some busy metropolitan areas these little pouches are sometimes specifically targeted. Believe it or not, they?re not really that hard for pickpockets to negotiate and easier still if the culprit simply comes up from behind and cuts the strap and runs! A fanny pack might be suitable if it is concealed by a coat or some other garment or is hung from across the shoulder on the inside.
? Keep your passport in the safest place you can find. Ideally in a zippered, inside pocket, preferably with a Velcro overlapping closure. As ornate as that might sound, some of the better travel jackets and vests come with just such an arrangement specifically designed for passports, traveler?s checks and airline tickets.
? If you?re going out for an evening ask your hotel if they have a safe. If so, use it. DO NOT leave your passport in your room.
? If you find you have a spare passport size photo or two, take it along on your trip, we?ve heard of myriad uses from our clients. (Once, in London, I decided to buy a weeklong pass for the Underground and bus system. I was told I would need one passport style photo to affix to the pass. In Victoria Station that single, ugly little photo would have cost me about £15 {About $25!} Instead, I had my extra photos in with my passport, saving me money and considerable time and aggravation.) DON?T THROW YOUR SPARE PHOTO?S AWAY!
? Enjoy your trip and, when you return, consider having a real portrait made. Give us a call!

I may be wrong - but check to see what the rules are in the country you're visiting. For example, I read that in Hungary you're required to carry your passport with you - a copy is not acceptable if unless notarized, etc. If you're stopped by police and don't have your passport you can be taken to jail until it's all sorted out.

Why don't we look in obvious places for answere?

The US passport has valuable info on pages 2 thru 7 with titles such as:

Before you travel abroad (tells you in paragraph 4 - "Make 2 photocopies of your passport ID page. Leave one at home with family/friends. Carry the other with you in a place separate from you passport")

While in a foreign country

Important things to remember about your passport

AND ON PAGE 7 FOR COMPLETION (in pencil);

PERSONAL DATA AND EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

What absolutely GREAT information. Thank you all so much!!!

My husband was asked for his passport in a small town in Spain as we were coming down the street.

In France I have always just carried a copy of my passport as ID and have had no trouble cashing travelers checks or getting VAT refund.

I also take along two extra passport-type photos since I gather that in some places it is difficult to get the photos required (white background, exact size, etc.).

One of our students lost his passport in Salzburg. We showed up at the consul's office with a copy of his pp, his birth cert, 2 pix, and had the replacement within an hour. The gal was amazed that we were so prepared, but then she'd never traveled with teenagers!

I recently had my passport copied at a UPS store. The young man helping me asked if I wanted color or b&w, and the manager quickly told him that color copies of government documents are illegal.