It’s common knowledge that very few things go as planned when on vacation. If you’re one the many that have stolen United States passports, you should try not to freak out. However, you don’t need to. There are things you can do to get a new one quickly, and with a new passport under your belt, you can get back to having fun on your vacation or get home with little hassle.

First, relax. It’s easy to get panicked when you realize you can’t find your passport. Anyone would. However, panicking will not help you. So relax and take a deep breath. There is a solution.

The next thing to do if you lose your passport is immediately contact the closest US embassy. Do not wait, and do not procrastinate. If your passport gets into the wrong hands, it could put you in very real danger. Identity theft has become an increasingly common problem all over the world, and passports prove to be an excellent tool for those looking to steal someone’s identity.

You will need to talk to someone from the American Citizens Service department of the Consular Section when you reach the embassy. The first thing they will do is invalidate your stolen passport, meaning no one can use it. Next, they will let you know what exactly to do in order to go about getting a new passport, like how to get a new application and passport photos.

Report the theft to the local authorities, if applicable. They will file a report that only further ensures that your passport stays out of the wrong person’s hands. These reports are useful if you suspect your identity’s been stolen, as they are required by the embassy to issue reports.

Be sure to supply all the necessary information to the embassy in order to confirm your identity. You will need to provide your name, place and date of birth, when and where you were issued your passport, and also the passport number. Make sure to have this data in a secure place, as having it ready beforehand expedites your request and ultimately grants peace of mind. Also make sure someone in the United States knows that your passport has been stolen. Notifying them of any possible delays is always a good thing, and they might also be contacted in order to verify your identity.

Consider investing in money belt or a little purse that you can wear under your clothes. Those looking to steal identities are more likely to target those who have their important documents in conspicuous places, and by simply keeping yours out of sight, you reduce the risk of theft greatly.

Recently, a story came out in the news about Lindsay Lohan, our favorite train wreck. She claims her passport was stolen in France, leaving her unable to attend her DUI case in Beverly Hills, as well as her mandatory Alcohol Education classes. While this may or not be a valid excuse, she was able to obtain a new new passports quickly. These stories only go to show that this sort of thing happens all the time, and while it can be frustrating, there are solutions. And if you find yourself stuck in a foreign country someday with a stolen USA passport, knowing what to do is half the battle.