So far everything I have been writing about here was about places I have been to. This time I want to talk about what happened to me as 2021 was coming to an end. I arrived in Sicily late September of 2021 excited and ready to hit the ground running. Within 14 days, I found a place I wanted to live and signed a rental agreement. My home can be found in Brucoli, a coastal fisherman hamlet that has its charm.

Unfortunately, due to logistical constraints that the world is facing, my stuff did not arrive on time as it was scheduled. Living out of two suitcases, with little to no cookware and household items, without my car, made life a little bit more interesting. Even with these constraints, I managed to find my way around Sicily seeing Syracuse, Ortigia, Catania, Taormina, and even Rome, to name just a few.

WHERE IS MY PASSPORT?

Well, as the year was coming to an end, everything started coming in. The end of December got really busy. My car that was shipped from Los Angeles arrived a few days before the holidays, along with my household shipment. On top of that, a trip to Northern Italy for Christmas and a trip to Krakow, Poland for the New Year was planned. Additionally a work trip was scheduled for the beginning of the year back to the United States.

I can say that the house went from empty to full in 60 seconds! Living from a suitcase became very comfortable, and as much as I might hate it, it is nice to not worry about all the extras. I think I might be a minimalist.

As the house started to come together, due to a leaking roof, construction also was happening for repairs all while my stuff was getting delivered. Talk about chaos!

Four days away from my trip to Northern Italy, as I was preparing my documents for travel, I realized my passport was missing. As I frantically looked around the unorganized house, my passport was nowhere to be found.

Being a non-citizen of the European Union basically restricts me to boarding on a plane with a passport. I can not use my Texas driver’s license like I would traveling within the United States. Not wanting to cancel my trip to Northern Italy, I decided to drive all the way North to make it happen.

I left Catania in the afternoon around 14.00. I knew I had a long drive ahead of me. 15 hours according to google. I do not recommend doing this is in one drive, it is dangerous due to fatigue.

After making my way to my destination, that panic started settling in. The stress levels were high. After all, I have a trip to Poland planned, and a work trip back to the United States in the beginning of the year. After researching my options, I learned that it actually is very simple to acquire a limited validity passport while overseas.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR PASSPORT?

This is pertaining to Italy, but it is more or less the same around the world.

Obtaining a new passport is a lengthy process. According to the state department’s website, it takes 8 to 11 weeks. You might be able to get an Emergency or Urgent Travel Appointment if you meet those criteria below.

First, search the country you are in at the State Department Website, for details regarding appointment availability in your particular location. On the search function type in “Lost Passport”. Click on the link that has “Replacing a Lost or Stolen Passport” as a title. In my case it looks like this.

Read thoroughly, because not all consulates provide the same services. For example, I lost my passport in Sicily. The consulate in Palermo, the closest one, does not have emergency passport services. The Consulates in Naples and Milan do, along with the Embassy in Rome.

BE PREPARED!

With all the stress and panic that is going through you, the last thing you want, is to be turned away as you are trying to get an emergency passport. Be prepared and you’ll be surprised how quick and easy it is to replace your lost or stolen passport. Hopefully you attain the following items:

• Proof of U.S. Citizenship:  one valid form of photo identification (a certified, sealed birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, Certificate of Naturalization or expired U.S. passport, or driver’s license) and one photocopy should be presented if possible.
• One passport photograph without glasses (taken within the last six months);  The consulate where I went had a photo booth. I came with one in hand. Bring some local currency.
• Completed form DS-11 and form DS-64. Note: you cannot currently list a “Country” when completing the “Emergency Contact” section on our forms. Please list an emergency contact in the United States. I recommend you use the auto form generator tool.
• First-Time passport or a replacement for lost/stolen passport fees: $165.00 or the local currency equivalent. I brought cash, others that were there with me paid with card. I am not sure if this is available throughout all the consulates.

I was in and out of the consulate within an hour. It is recommended you make it to the embassy before noon. I was the first one in line 30 minutes before the consulate opened in Milan and the staff was very helpful. Your new passport will be valid for 12 months, therefore, apply for a regular passport as soon as possible. If you do it within the timeframe before it expires, it will save you processing fees.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this experience was overwhelming. Looking back I would say that I might have overreacted. The process was expensive, but easy. At the end I was able to make all the trip I had as planned. I will be soon applying for a regular passport to make sure I save money on those fees. Due to those circumstances, I ended up in Milan and got chance to explore and grab a coffee at the main square before my departure. I alway tend to make a travel experience regardless of the situation.

Do you think you would be able to stay calm if you lost your passport? Leave questions or comments below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

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