Travel precaution - certified copy of passport helpful?

[gypsyinabigtown]

G'day all,

When I travel overseas, I typically get a few colour copies of my passport and keep one in the carry-on, checked luggage as well as in a safe place back home. I also email a scanned copy to myself.
I do it because I guess it might come handy if I end up losing my passport and have to prove my identity to an Australian consular post overseas for a temporary passport.

I was wondering if there is any benefit to get the colour copies of the passport certified by a Justice of the Peace (i.e. verified as a true copy after the original document has been sighted).

If it makes things with officials easier, then I can go aheads and get it - but if just the colour copy itself will be good enough for all cases, then I may not bother.

Is there any scenario where a certified colour copy would help but a regular colour copy wouldn't?

Many thanks in advance for all responses.

 

[JessicaTam]

I would think that just the photocopy would be sufficient. If you lose your passport the AU embassy will be able to look you up and the photocopy may just help with the process (i.e. it would have the number and expiry date) not necessarily expedite it. They would want to check your bona-fides regardless so the certification would be unnecessary.

If another overseas body was not happy with a photocopy I doubt a stamp and signature on it claiming it was a 'true and correct copy' would sway them.

disclaimer: I have not had to have a passport replaced whilst o/s.

 

[Mal]

I can't see it helping - but I don't know all intricacies.

Passport photos are electronically stored by DFAT, so I assume a consulate post can request a copy - or pull up a copy. Passport details are also stored, so I can't think of a situation where it would help.

 

[simongr]

I have never taken a copy of my passport with me when travelling.

 

[markis10]

Making a copy of your passport would breach crown copyright, not that I would expect the crown to be too worried, they are not part of the prescribed crown documents that may be copied AFAIK.

 

[Joshua]

I have had a passport stolen overseas at the start of this year. Drivers license was sufficient and had a replace within 5 days (was bad timing with weekend and national holidays). Had a colour copy but didn't use it. I personally can't see any further benefit as others have said. The only situation is if you lost it during transit where again it is only going to be a helpful reference for electronic verification.

 

[richie9x]

The passport office has the following advice on their website

It is also highly recommended that, for your own reference, you keep either a photocopy of your passport or a record of your passport number and expiry date. You will be required to enter the passport details to report your passport lost or stolen online.

From that I would take it being certified or not would not really matter.

 

[serfty]

FWIW, I always keep a color copy of my PP face page in my luggage, in a separate from the one I put my PP in.

 

[MattinCBR]

Making a copy of your passport would breach crown copyright, not that I would expect the crown to be too worried, they are not part of the prescribed crown documents that may be copied AFAIK.

The Commonwealth seems to have waived their copyright by posting statements such as this:

"Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home. You should carry a copy of your passport with you for identification purposes."(smarttraveler.gov.au)


There are some countries in Africa that require that you cary either an original passport or a certified copy with you at all times, otherwise I think the only reason for carrying a copy is to enable local law enforcement/consular officials to be able to report it as missing/stolen and more efficiently arrange a replacement, I certainly wouldnt try to board a plane/cross a frontier using a certified colour copy, and would imagine/hope that if issuing a new one, an Australian High Commission/Embassy would rely on something more than a JP signing a colour photocopy!

Matt.

 

[markis10]

The Commonwealth seems to have waived their copyright by posting statements such as this:

"Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home. You should carry a copy of your passport with you for identification purposes."(smarttraveler.gov.au).

True, its surprising how often that happens!

 

[Hvr]

I carry a colour copy that has been covered with hard plastic. When is Thailand (and several other countries) you are required to always carry your passport. There are some areas in BKK where it may not be advisable to carry an original document and I have the copy if required with the original safe in the hotel safe.

Having said that I've never actually had to show my passport other than checking into the hotel.

 

[Sprucegoose]

disclaimer: I have not had to have a passport replaced whilst o/s.

I
Believe they are only printed in Canberra and Washington. ??

 

[gypsyinabigtown]

I
Believe they are only printed in Canberra and Washington. ??

That may be right, although if you suddenly find yourself without a passport in a faraway corner of the world, I suppose you are just issued an emergency (temporary) travel document right away, instead of having to wait for the full replacement passport to be printed and mailed to you.

 

[Mal]

I
Believe they are only printed in Canberra and Washington. ??

London too. Also I believe all immi capital city offices in Australia can as well in a pinch (but not sure about that)