Aug 5 2010
Effective Consolidation Of Your U S Passport Pages
So many things can go wrong during a trip, so it is amazing how smoothly things do go most of the time. Losing a passport definitely reigns supreme on the list of inconveniences, as that little document allows you to do most of things you need when you are away from home. However, letting your pass port pages become ripped or otherwise damaged can be equally problematic. Keeping a few things in mind about these pages can help you ensure a smooth trip.
While traveling, your passport is undergoing the same hardships you are. When you get caught in the rain, so does your passport. In an attempt to protect your passport from thieves, it might get crumpled up. To avoid this, be careful of where you store it and get a passport cover. This way, your pages will not become tattered and look suspicious to border officials. The extra inspection time can cost you travel time.
An even more pressing problem for travelers is simply using up all the space in their passports. This is especially troubling since most countries require a certain number of pages for entry or visas. This seemingly innocuous problem can actually prolong the process of getting to where you are going. A few precautions will help you avoid this scenario.
The first thing you can do is to politely indicate to border officials where you would like them to stamp. Doing this can help you avoid stamps that occupy a lot of room in your passport. This can be sensitive, and not all officials will respond positively. However, if you keep a positive, polite attitude and explain your predicament, most will be happy to help. If they just stamp away, do not argue or become angry.
If you do see you are running out of pages, a quick stop by any embassy should remedy the situation. Most embassies will insert additional pages for free or a small fee. This service can usually be done during the same day. Make sure to do this well before you travel so you do not get in a bind. Depending on the country, there is usually a limit to the number of pages that can be added, so check with your embassy.
A lot of travelers enjoy looking back on the stamps they have acquired. These serve as reminders of where they have been, and in some cases, as badges of honor for especially difficult trips. Make sure to make a copy, however, in case of loss. Again, beyond the sentimental value, you may need a travel history down the line.
Also, be aware that damaged USA passports probably will not be returned to you. This can also result in losing the pages that you spent so much time acquiring. So, make a copy before you submit it in exchange for a new passport. Do not remove the pages, as this will usually be considered tampering with an official document.
Attention to detail often separates a successful venture from a problematic one. The same thing goes for travel. While pasport pages do not usually cause any problems, you should look them over before setting out. Then, your passport can open doors instead of slowing you down.
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