Having a passport can open worlds of possibilities for you and your family, but with this power comes great responsibility. Passports for many are their sole source of proof of their citizenship, and if your passport gets in the hands of someone who plans to abuse it, it becomes a very serious situation for you and your identity. It is important to remember that, when getting a passport, the proper precautions can protect you from identity theft.

Knowing the process of acquiring a passport can aid in the prevention of identity theft. Certain documents are needed to apply for a passport, but once these are obtained, it becomes very easy to get a passport. A potential applicant needs to have proof of his or her citizenship, either by means of a certificate of birth or a naturalization certificate. Along with this proof, an applicant needs to supply a form of identification, and many forms are accepted, some not even government issued, such as a school or job ID.

There are multiple ways a identity thief can get their hands on passports. With the application and granting of a visa, an alien can enter the United States. This visa, however, only allows the alien to stay for a preset amount of time. Criminals will stay in the United States past this appointed time and will begin to integrate themselves into American society, and will try to acquire identification cards. Once he gains an ID, he can apply for jobs, credit cards, and even a social security card.

There are other options that allow criminals to illegally gain a passport. Passports are only valid for a set aamount of time. A child under 16 has his passport valid for five years, while a person over 16 has 10 years. This space of time presents a fruitful opportunity for a criminal, especially if you don’t travel very often.

If you think your passport has been stolen or just lost, be sure to report it immediately. When you apply for a new passport, you fill out a form reporting that you suspect your passport has been stolen. It is important then to reapply as quickly as possible, time can be the difference when it comes to your identity.

Identity theft doesn’t have to happen to you. Armed with the right information and the right precautions, it can be totally preventable. Simple steps can prove to save your identity. Make sure you keep track of old, as well as new, social security cards, driver’s liscenses, ID’s, and birth certificates. With the possibility of identity theft out of your mind, you and your family can finally enjoy that relaxing get away.

When you apply for a New Passport, the old passport is returned to you to keep. Although it is technically useless, it can still be used as an informal form of identification. In the case of a divorce or wedding, a new passport is required. It is important that these two passport application forms don’t get mixed up and put in the wrong hands.