TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Losing a passport while on the island

I was just wondering if someone lost their passport while on the island where would you go for help? The US consulate for the Dutch side is in Curraco and the French side it is located in Barbados. Do they send someone to the island or are there designated people on the island that can take care of these things? I have always been careful and will continue that way, but would also like to be informed if the unimaginable happened.

Is there anyone that has first hand knowledge of this, or at least second hand?

About 8 years ago, My wife and mine were stolen on the Dutch side. I made a Police report and got a copy, which was of course in Dutch. The passports were stolen the same day we were returning. We got to the Airport and talked to American Airlines and Airport Security. We still had our driver's licenses. A few phone calls were made and we were allowed to leave the Island. Once we arrived in Miami, It took us about 15 minutes with the Immigration Officer. He looked over the report made a phone call and allowed us in. Every since then my wife has been flag and has to see the Immigration Officer when we arrive. She always has an X with the new machines.

Here is an idea/suggestion on Passports. In addition to making several color copies of your passports and storing them in the many different pockets of luggage. It is also a great idea to SCAN your passport in color and email it to yourself using a typical web based email address like yahoo, gmail, etc. Then you could pull up the email with any computer (such as the immigration agents computer)

I have done that since then, and it makes me feel more comfortable if the passport is stolen again.

Same experience with us once, the passports were stolen on the French side and we had a French Police report and were allowed to travel with minimal problems with immigration.

My home in SXM has a small safe and my passport goes in as soon as I arrive and doesn't come out until I'm packing to leave. I am terrified of losing it. I should do the color copy thing, but I've neglected that. I do, however, have a picture of my passport (and my daughter's) on my phone. Emailing it is a better idea in that you could, of course, lose your phone. GREAT SUGGESTION! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

I like your idea of e-mail. There is always access to that anywhere and you wouldn't have to worry about losing your phone or camera. In reply to others - we do put our passports in the safe as soon as we get to our room so we don't worry, but it is nice to be prepared for anything that comes our way.

Except for all those nasty people saying not to look at your phone in the C&I holding pens

Oh my! You just reminded me of a HORRID woman in Charlotte. She was the Airport Nazi. Very mean woman. In addition to barking about cell phones, she wouldn't let a young girl back under the ropes after she had gotten out to use the restroom. Made her walk the maze and squeeze past people. Charlotte is such a zoo, and her demeanor never helped. We avoid Charlotte at all costs now.

What about if you just lose your passport? You wouldn't have a police report. I was on a flight (domestic) and when I went to look for my passport; I couldn't find it. Did I leave it at the check in desk? Had I lost it walking to the gate? I panicked!! I looked all around me and then I realized that I had probably turned the wallet I keep it sideways and it had slid out. I found it stuck down between the seats, but for about a good 3-4 minutes; I think my heart had stopped . <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Knowing how easily things disappear - for whatever reason- I colour copy our travelling documents, my International Driving Permit, all or any travellers cheques we may be taking and all my credit cards, licenses, etc. As for the IDP it's now become necessary as some insurance companies are refusing coverage/accident repayment..telling their policy holders they were in breach of contract because even though they could use their drivers license in the country they were visiting - they did NOT have a valid drivers license for that country. An IDP IS a valid license for most countries. Needless to say...keeep it seperate from your drivers license so if one is stolen/lost you still have the other.