1. Do Not Hand Over Your Passport
Do not ever leave your passport with someone else not in your party. Full stop.
Your passport is the property of the U.S. government, and it is illegal for anyone other than the passport holder or authorized government officials to retain it. This includes rental agencies or tour vendors. Always offer a different form of ID or a cash deposit instead. In the situation that they refuse, find another option. It’s not worth the risk.
2. Always Keep it With You
Carry your passport with you at all times in a secure manner. It might be tempting to leave it behind while exploring for the day, but the safest place is almost always with you. If you do choose to leave it, ensure it’s in a safe, secure space.
3. Conceal Your Passport
Use money belts or concealed travel wallets. Don’t keep your passport in a bag on your back, especially out of sight. It only takes a moment of distraction for it to disappear.
4. Make Copies of Your Passport
Make photocopies of the data page of your passport and keep them in a separate location from the original. Store digital copies securely on a cloud service or your phone. This makes getting a replacement easier and many businesses may accept a passport copy for verification.
5. Use a Passport Cover
Protect your passport from physical damage with a sturdy cover, preferably waterproof, especially when you’ll be near water. My favorite cover now is one with cacti on it from Arizona; it reminds me of my hometown when I’ve been gone for years.
6. Store Your Passport in a Safe Place
Use hotel safes, locked suitcases, or secure pockets. If your accommodation provides a safe, use it. If not available, go back to tip #2: Always Keep it With You.
7. Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Stay vigilant in crowded or unfamiliar areas, especially in cities with high pickpocketing rates like Barcelona, Rome, and Paris. Always be mindful of your belongings.
8. Regularly Check Your Passport
Frequently verify that your passport is still in your possession. The sooner you realize it’s gone, the easier it is to retrace your steps and recover it.
9. Insure Your Passport
Use travel insurance to cover passport replacement costs. Replacing a lost or stolen passport while traveling is never fun and can easily derail your plans, but insurance can help take off the extra monetary sting. You should always have travel insurance anyway.
10. Know What to Do if You Lose Your Passport
Traveling is all about adventure and exploring new places and cultures. It is unpredictable, and things are bound to happen that we didn’t expect, that’s why we love it. Even with all precautions, you might still lose your passport. As long as you know what to do when your passport is lost or stolen, you will be able to get back on track as soon as possible.
Ready to explore the world as a student? Explore all of our student and teen travel programs around the world below. It’s time to put that passport to use!
