Avoid placing your passport in the seatback pocket during long flights, like my son did on our trip from Orlando to Paris.

He was adamant about keeping his passport close, and I figured that it would teach him responsibility.

However, it turned out to be a mistake. My son, who was 11 at the time, accidentally left his passport on the Air France aircraft. Naturally, once we got off the plane, they wouldn’t allow us to return to retrieve it.

How would we manage customs?

According to the U.S. State Department, over 300,000 American passports are reported lost or stolen each year.

“Keeping your passport safe is crucial,” stated Raymond Yorke, a representative from Redpoint Resolutions, a travel insurance provider.

You cannot cross borders without a passport. Ideally, it would be kept in a secure location at home, but that defeats its purpose since it needs to accompany you while remaining safe. So what can you do?

Tips for Managing Your Passport While Traveling

Here are some strategies to keep your passport secure:

◾ Don’t keep your passport in your back pocket: “That’s one of the worst places for it,” noted Jeremy Murchland, president of Seven Corners Travel Insurance. He said that many travelers feel the need to carry their passport at all times, which increases the risk of pickpocketing. He recommends storing your passport in your hotel safe instead.

◾ Conceal your passport when carrying it: Sometimes, it’s necessary to have your passport on you. So, what should you do? “My bag has a hidden pocket sewn into the lining,” shared Adam St. John, CEO of Sitata. “I use it to store my passport and extra cash.” Other common options include money belts and inner compartments of a backpack.

◾ If necessary, consider a third option: You might need your passport for VAT refunds while shopping. However, you still don’t have to carry it with you. Julie Ann Hargett, a luxury travel consultant, advises that you can leave your passport in the hotel safe and simply take a photo of it. Often, showing a digital image will suffice. If that’s not accepted, she suggests bringing the actual passport, keeping it in a secure place like a money belt, and leaving a photocopy in the hotel safe. Having a photo can also assist in getting a replacement should your passport go missing.

What to Do If Your Passport is Lost or Stolen Abroad

If you lose your American passport, you must visit the nearest embassy or consulate to apply for a replacement. Generally, U.S. passports are valid for 10 years for adults and five for minors. However, emergency passports may only be valid for one year. For more detailed strategies regarding handling your passport, check out my complete guide on my advocacy site, Elliott.org.

Important Passport Safety Tips

When checking into a hotel overseas, they might want to make a copy of your passport. Be cautious. Never leave it unattended, such as on a café table, as “it could be stolen in an instant,” remarked Sangeeta Sadarangani, CEO of Crossing Travel. Always keep your eyes on your passport when it’s out of your possession.

If you’re storing your passport in a hotel safe, ensure you remember to take it when you check out. A helpful trick from Betsy Ball, a partner at Euro Travel Coach, is to place one of your shoes in the safe. “This way, when packing, you’ll realize one shoe is missing,” she suggests. “It will remind you to retrieve your shoe, passport, and other valuables before you leave.”

In case your passport is lost or stolen, having the right insurance can reimburse replacement costs. David Weisselberger, a Miami-based lawyer, shared his fearful experience of having his passport taken while he was abroad.

“I thought my travel insurance would cover all expenses,” he shared. “I was surprised to find out it only reimbursed part of my costs. The policy stated it only covered theft from a hotel safe, not from a personal bag.”

He emphasizes the importance of thoroughly reviewing travel insurance policies to ensure they cover all scenarios regarding lost or stolen passports.

Did we actually make it to France?

So, what became of my son’s passport? After regaining our composure, we sought assistance from a gate agent. She arranged for the plane to be searched during its cleaning, and indeed, the passport was right where my son had accidentally left it. We breezed through customs without any hassle.

That was a narrow escape. Additionally, it served as an invaluable lesson. Since then, my son has traveled extensively worldwide, and he now always keeps track of his passport. He has never misplaced it – not even once.

A lost passport might seem like a minor glitch in the grand scheme of travel mishaps. Yet, as we stood in Charles de Gaulle Airport facing the possibility of being sent back home, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the irony. We had flown across the ocean but found ourselves trapped between our gate and French customs. Fortunately, we successfully reached France, my son became a more experienced traveler, and I realized that sometimes, the most meaningful parental moments come disguised as close calls.