How to check if my passport was reported lost/stolen

Factual Questions
1

So here’s the story:

  • Sent my US passport to a visa agency via FedEx so that I could get a visa to travel to India

  • FedEx LOST the package with my passport. I reported the loss to Fedex, etc.

  • I filled out the paperwork at state.gov to request a new passport and report the old one as lost. I did NOT submit the form online, but printed it out to hand over in person/send in by mail.

  • I made an appt. with the passport office in Seattle for Tuesday of next week, so that they can expedite the passport replacement for me.

  • Today, I got an automated email from FedEx informing me that the package was moving and should arrive at the visa agency on Monday!
    Now, everything SHOULD be fine. Once the visa agency receives the passport on Monday, I should be able to cancel my appt. to get a new passport on Tuesday, and let things with the visa take their course. But after FedEx failing me so badly, I’m feeling fairly paranoid about the potential for things to go wrong. I can envision the following scenario: I cancel my appt. for Tuesday, the visa agency takes my passport to the Indian consulate, and they discover there that the passport has been reported lost and is invalid. And I no longer have an appt. to get a new one. So I totally blow all the lengthy turnaround times and screw up my trip completely.

I did NOT submit the “lost” report online to state.gov … but what if the report did somehow go through? Maybe I forgot or clicked wrong, or it still registers something in their database…? I know these are paranoid thoughts, but I really really don’t want things to go wrong here.

So my question: Is there a way to check to see if my passport has been reported as lost/stolen or declared invalid by the State Dept.?

Calling the Passport Info. Center (877-4USA-PPT) yielded nothing. The rep said he couldn’t check that info. in his system, he could only give me the postal address of the office I can WRITE A LETTER TO for a response. Not exactly speedy.

I mean, I guess I could book the cheapest flight I can find and then use my passport as ID at the TSA and not get on the flight … but does the TSA actually run the passport number on a domestic flight, or do they just check that the passport looks legit? I guess I could book a flight to Canada … but I can’t recall when they check the passport (at the departing airport or upon arrival in Canada; I don’t really want to fly to Canada if it’s not necessary).

Any advice …?

2

Turn up to the Tuesday appointment, explain the confusion and leave it to them to sort out which passport to issue/invalidate?

(and then chase Fedex for any out-of-pocket expenses and wasting your time)

3

Having a second passport is a good idea if you’re visiting Israel and Islamic countries.

4

I think it’s illogical as heck to be concerned that State already knows the original passport is lost/stolen. They won’t know if you haven’t told them explicitly.

If you want something to be paranoid about it’s this scenario: FedEx didn’t lose the package. It was diverted by an unscrupulous FedEx employee who knew what was probably in it by the address it was going to. After copying the passport info he returned the package to FedEx. Soon a forgery of your passport will be used by Abu Al Bad-dudi in his latest terrorist exploit. Make sure you have a good alibi for your exact whereabouts for the rest of your life.

You’re welcome. :smiley:

5

I know this is so… I guess I’ll have to rely on the lack of thoroughness of the various US spooks.

Thanks—hadn’t thought of that. Before the package turned up again, I assumed that maybe someone had stolen it just as you say; it never occurred to me that they would steal it and then re-insert it into the FedEx system. :smack:

6

I don’t think it works that way—they’ll cancel the first passport when I get the second passport. So I’ll still only have one.

7

I think I’m going up to Seattle Monday afternoon, regardless. You’re right—I should probably keep the appt. and let them tell me the proper course of action. I’ve got to think that the actual Passport Office, in person, should be able to tell me if a passport has been reported lost/stolen…

Oh, that tally is being added up. There’s already a claim in with them, with initial expenses entered and the list left open as others are incurred.