Do you find yourself in an emergency situation in which you require your passport, either your current one or a new one, but you need it delivered to you in another country? Such a scenario is possible, and there are a couple of different routes to getting you your passport in a timely manner. Let us take a look at two common ways that people consider when delivering passports internationally.
Can I hand-deliver another individual’s passport internationally?
Generally, it is risky to deliver another individual’s passport internationally. Different countries have different laws governing what constitutes passport misuse. Even if a country doesn’t have explicit laws addressing hand-delivery of another person’s passport, it is likely to arouse the suspicions of customs agents when entering a country with another person’s passport. While you may not even be attempting to utilize the passport, authorities may suspect passport misuse. If they suspect misuse, you may end up violating the laws of the country you are transiting through. Many countries, including the U.S., have laws protecting against passport misuse.
It may be possible to travel with another person’s passport internationally for the purposes of delivery if you have a written authorization from the passport owner. However, you may still encounter difficulties when going through customs, and in the worst case, the passport may be confiscated.
Ultimately, having another individual hand-deliver your passport is a risky venture, particularly depending on the laws in the countries that they will be transiting through to deliver it. It is advisable to avoid this option, if possible.
You may also be interested: 7 Tips for Making a Strong O-1 Visa Application
Can I mail a passport internationally?
Another, more secure option for getting your passport is to have it shipped internationally. This avoids the potential of it getting confiscated while getting hand-delivered.
Passports can be mailed overseas through providers such as DHL. However, it is important to note that, because a passport is an official document, delivery services often have special requirements to satisfy before they will mail it, such as:
- A Government-issued ID;
- A Schedule B; and
- A detailed invoice for what is being delivered.
If you have the means to submit your passport via a certified mail service, it is highly recommended that you do so, rather than rely on another person to deliver it for you. While dealing with the delivery of an official document, such as a passport, can be highly stressful, utilizing official services can reduce your stress and chances of your passport being lost or confiscated. Additionally, if you have questions about international passport delivery, you can always call a certified mail service to inquire about their passport delivery options and process.
If you are unsure about what option will work best for delivering your passport to you internationally or if you have any concerns about your passport related to your immigration status or case, contact us for an assessment.
