Anyone know about passport "possesion" policy?

[JenT 0]

David's daughter is visiting (she's 17) and we disagreed about whether or not to carry her passport with us while we were in NYC. He was afraid it would get stolen and didn't believe that she needed to have it with her at all times. I disagreed, especially since this was her only form of ID. He asked why I don't carry my girls passports with us... they are minor USCs, without any other ID, so on one hand, he had a point. Everyone should have some form of ID, I suppose... but shouldn't a non-USC either ALWAYS have a GC or a passport with them at all times???? Anyone have a link to where that's stipulated? I tried travel.state.gov and couldn't find it....

We compromised and made copies of her passport to carry with us, but had we gotten stopped for some reason, what would have happened?

Jen

(I put this in OT because I wasn't sure if it fit anywhere else....)

[GaryC 7]

This indirectly answers your question I think.

Carry the minimum number of valuables, and plan places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html

As long as you have a copy of it and can produce one when asked by an official I don't see a problem.

I know that I at first I always carried my passport with me when I worked overseas. But coming close to loosing it several times I decided it was best to lock it up at the hotel. I have been overseas 15 times to 5 countries and other than exchanging money I have never been asked for it.

Edited August 2, 2007 by GaryC

[*JG* 2]

I carried Andre's when it was the only form of ID he had.

[JenT 0]

Thanks Gary... I know the USC 'rules' for overseas travel. What I don't know is what the US requires as far as every day documentation/ID from overseas visitors.

Jen

[Cassie 8]

I was told to carry my passport on me until I had my green card, and my green card on me at all times once I had that.

The letter that came with the GC stated it has to be carried at all times.

[GaryC 7]

Thanks Gary... I know the USC 'rules' for overseas travel. What I don't know is what the US requires as far as every day documentation/ID from overseas visitors.

Jen

Well, I am not sure. I know Luz and Robin don't carry their passports with them. I assume that if it came up I would be able to go home and get them. So far it hasn't been an issue. My feelings are that if they are with a USC is with them they would at least give you the chance to go and get their passports if needed. I am very careful about not wanting them to lose their passports, I would rather have the inconvenience of making a trip home to get them if the need arises. But that is just my opinion.

[JenT 0]

I was told to carry my passport on me until I had my green card, and my green card on me at all times once I had that.

The letter that came with the GC stated it has to be carried at all times.

Told by whom? Where is that documented specifically? Any idea?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

This indirectly answers your question I think.

Carry the minimum number of valuables, and plan places to conceal them. Your passport, cash and credit cards are most secure when locked in a hotel safe.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html

As long as you have a copy of it and can produce one when asked by an official I don't see a problem.

I know that I at first I always carried my passport with me when I worked overseas. But coming close to loosing it several times I decided it was best to lock it up at the hotel. I have been overseas 15 times to 5 countries and other than exchanging money I have never been asked for it.

yeah. carry a copy

[Cassie 8]

I was told to carry my passport on me until I had my green card, and my green card on me at all times once I had that.

The letter that came with the GC stated it has to be carried at all times.

Told by whom? Where is that documented specifically? Any idea?

I have been racking my brain trying to remember when I was told that and now I do. I was told that at the DMV. I was told to carry my passport and a copy of my marriage license around with me, to go along with my Canadian DL that was in my maiden name. It was to suffice as my ID, since they wouldn't allow me to get a state photo ID until I adjusted status. Not sure if/where that is documented anywhere though.

[tom&tata 2]

When I travel, I always carry the copy of the passport and leave the passport at hotel. I am not sure about the rules in the US, but even when I was visiting US, I only carried the copy.

I usually have other picture ID with me (school ID, office/work ID, foreign DL).

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Before I moved here and I used to go to florida on vaccation with my children, once we arrived at the hotel I would lock away the passports and flight tickets in the safe until we were going home...

I always worked on the fact that if the police needed our ID then they or I could get it from the hotel safe...

UK passports are worth $$$$$ on the blackmarket, that is why the Home Office advise you to lock it up when abroad....

Kez

[JenT 0]

Thanks guys. I just want to make sure we have the least hassle possible when we travel with her being here. I would have thought that the US would have some policy documented about this somewhere, but I guess we'll just use common sense, unless someone comes across a link they can share.

Jen

[Kez/JWolf 6]

Taken from the UK website.....

http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagena...d=1098377476175

General Tips:

Make a note of the passport number, date and place of issue (or take a photocopy), and keep separately in a safe place.

Check the passport expiry date.

Write the full details of your next of kin in your passport.

Leave a photocopy with a friend or relative at home.

Take a second means of photo-identification with you.

Keep your passport in the hotel safe and carry a photocopy with you.

If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, contact the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate immediately for advice.

Kez

[JenT 0]

Perfect. Thanks Kez.

Jen

[lucyrich 20]

US citizens aren't required to carry ID, unless they're doing something that would require it (driving a car, carrying a firearm, etc.). Carrying ID is often a good idea, of course, but it's not legally required.

Noncitizens are required to carry evidence of their status at all times. That's in INA 264(e). It may not be enforced often, but it says Every alien, eighteen years of age and over, shall at all times carry with him and have in his personal possession any certificate of alien registration or alien registration receipt card issued to him pursuant to subsection (d). Any alien who fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction for each offense be fined not to exceed $100 or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

That's translated into layman's English and explained in more detail here.

Oh, and BTW, it's illegal for a non-citizen to claim US citizenship. So if caught without ID, it's probably better for an alien to confess his alien status and be guilty of a misdemeanor than to falsely claim citizenship and be forever barred from naturalization.