Path to a New Passport

Losing a passport (ehhem... having it stolen by force), is definately not a travel experience many of us daydream about. However I am finding the replacement an interesting process and I hope that it ends sucessfully... in a depressingly blank, but new and good for many more years, US passport.

Step 1. Contact the local Embassy-Consulate Section.
I called the US embassy here in Quito the morning after my passport was stolen. I asked what I needed to do. I was told I needed to make a police report at the police station which covered the area where the crime took place and that I needed to bring a report to the embassy. I was told I could make an appointment for that afternoon at the consular section, however I decided to be a bit more realistic about the time it would take to make my report at the Ecuadorian police (smart thinking Erin!).. and I made the appointment for the next morning (today).

Step 2. Report the stolen Passport to the Ecuadorian Police.
This was actually more complicated... but at the same time ridiculously suferficial... of a process than one might think. First I tried to look up the coverage areas for the local police online. After many unsuccessful leads, someone remembered that our secretary´s uncle works for the Ecuadorian Police. She called him and found out there really wasn´t anything near where I was mugged. Rather I should go to the "Policia Judicial" downtown. Valeria, a co-worker, and I headed to the "mariscal" the most touristy area, and the area most full of bars, restaraunts in Quito. When we entered we thought it was the right place: lot´s of pissed off-sad people were making "denuncios", reports of robberies and other crimes. However when we described our situation and the word "extranjero" entered the conversation... it was "to the tourism police" for us.

Step 2. (Continued). Report the stolen passport to a differentEcuadorian Police.
Next we went down the street one block to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where a Tourism police attache is located. As soon as the problem was discerned at the front gate we were escorted with gusto to the third floor, which appeared to be the police lounge. This police station was much better off than the former.... nice couches, TV on, police officers lounging around and socializing. We were the only "clients" in the office at the time and were immediately seated and address. Unfortunetly, it was soon apparent that this was also not the right place. The officer was surprised to find out that I didn´t have anything, other than the passport, of much value to report. Apparently this police stations sole function is to help tourists recover insurance funds for expensive items. This officer could write me a report to be used to give to an insurance company but he assured me that I needed to go to another type of police office, "a comisaria."

Step 2 (Continued for the 2nd and last time). Report stolen passport to Policia Comisaria.
The third station was a bit further away and not in such an obvious location. We finally spotted the sign and then walked right by it again by accident. When we finally found ourselves in front of a guy with a computer... and a typewriter(!). All I had to do was tell him where I was, what was stolen, and the passport number. He didn´t ask for identification although I did show other forms of identification. It was lucky that we had made copies of the passport (although, then again... that is the only reason I had the passport with me in the first place when it was stolen), as I was able to get the number through the office. I had the number saved in other places as well... but just not with me. After paying 25 cents for the paper on which the report was going to be typed-printed (both), I was the proud owner of a "denuncio". yeah!

Step 3. Go to the Embassy for Passport Appointment.
This was an experience. I went to the Embassy this morning and there were all sorts of people waiting at the embassy this morning in the Consular Affairs section (did I really want to work at one of these!¿¿?... Foreign Service offices usually have their first two years´ assignments working in a Consular Affairs office doing VISA interviews... yikes!).. People were waiting for visa interviews... passport applications for foreign-born citizen´s etc. I actually was the only person to walk into the United States Citizen´s Passports office after going through security and then finnally figuring out which direction in the large internal office and multiple waiting rooms was appropriate. When I finnally talked to someone I found out that whoever I talked to on the phone had been obtusely incomplete in their directions (you need a "denuncio" and an appointment here). I actually needed another report, from the Ecuadorian Policia Migration Services office, varifying when I used the passport to enter the country... and that I actually did use the passport to enter the country. Also, the photos that I had planned to use for my Ecuadorian Visa before I left the states would not meet the requirements for the Passport, so I needed new photos. Lastly I needed to fill some forms and have proof of: 1. US Citizenship, 2. Indentity

Step 3. (the former will actually be Step 7). Get a Migration Services Report.
The "Servicios Migratorios" office was, of course, at the other side of town. After I left the Embassy I stopped by the South American Explorers (see side-bar link, these people are awesome) to pick up my nalgen bottle I left there on Tuesday (the fateful day of the mugging), and to check out the location of the Servicios Migratorios on the Club´s BIG map. After determining my route, I headed North. This part of the process was relatively painless, all I had to do was produce the "denuncio" and pay $5. The wait was only about 15 minutes.

Step 4. Obtain Passport Pics.
At this point it was only 11am and my appointment at the Embassy had been at 9am. I figured since I was making such good time, I should continue in pursuit of the remaining components required for the passport. The embassy had recommended a photography shop and I was familiar with the area of town, so I decided to make things simple and take their recommendation. 4 photographs, 2x2 inces, on white backing, in color, without certian types of finish ....etc, etc, etc.... $6.

Step 5. Fill out documents and Collect Proofs of Citizenship and Identity.
This doesn´t seem too bad... I am filling them out now. The problem is that an address for mailing of the passport purposes is requested... and I think I would rather pick it up. The paperwork also lists forms of Proof of Identy that are considered approipriate. It appears my driver´s license and international "youth" cards should prove sufficient for this. The problem is the "Proof of Citizenship". The list of possible proofs includes ... a passport (an old one will suffice), an original birth cirtificate, or notice of registration or proff of approved registraion in a US consular office. This is a problem: I obviously do not have the passport, because it was stolen. I don´t have my orignal birth certificate, although I suppose it COULD be sent via mail and then i would have to keep track of another document. I did register online with the US Department of State. HOWEVER, I never recieved any sort of confirmation, or proof of excepted registration. I am able to access my registered account, and all the information is there. I decided to contact the Embassy again to ask about this point.

Step 6. Contact the Embassy Again... for another appointment and to inquire about proofs of Citizenship.
So... the person I talked to at the embassy this time said.... "they can get proof here". So I made another appointment for Monday. I will also bring a copy of the former passport and the report of the registration I filed with the State Department. We´ll see how it goes... stay tuned.