Ignorant question about passports

Hi Charlie -

As a Brit, I can’t think of any immediate reason why you’d need to carry your actual passport around in England.

What I do, when I’m abroad, and which might be suitable for you to adopt, is scan the important identification pages and carry a paper copy with me while I’m out and about. It might be a bit over the top and rather too much ‘belt and braces’ but as a back up I also have a USB stick with copies of our passports, vaccination details (Covid, Yellow Fever, etc., where appropriate) and medical information, as in copy prescriptions, plus any other important travel documents (flight bookings, itineraries, travel insurance, hotel reservations and the like). This, along with the passports stays somewhere secure while we are out and about, usually a room safe, or secreted somewhere amongst our things if there is no safe. Sometimes hotels request you leave your passports with them occasionally but I can’t think they’d do that in the U.K.

Ian

In the UK there is no legal requirement to carry ID so you can leave your passports somewhere safe.

Folks knowledgeable about such things have reported on this forum that in most (maybe all) European countries you're required to have your ID with you. For an American in Europe, the passport is the only recognized national ID document. That doesn't mean all of us carry our passports around with us every day--though I do; being female, I have a purse I can bury it in. I stick the passport in a Zip Lock sandwich bag in case I get caught in a sudden downpour.

I never carry my passport with me when in Europe. Why would I be stopped and asked for it? If so, I am totally legit with a hotel and thus I will tell them. I do carry my drivers license because it is in my wallet anyway with the CCs.

Charlie, just an FYI for further thought about travel abroad. The use of state-issued Drivers Licenses as an official ID is really just a US thing. Most European (maybe all) countries have national ID cards for citizens to identify themselves. In many of those countries, foreigners are required to carry passports as not only an ID, but proof that you entered the country legally. They have an illegal immigration problem there as well, you know. So the not-so-secret police can and do sometimes ask to see it. Many people get away without it, but you can't always depend on lenient authorities. And sometimes things are going on where security checks are happening. So if England doesn't require it, as stated here, thats great for you, but keep in mind for future travels.

I have traveled in Europe for over 40 years and have never carried my passport with me (except when in transit between lodgings). I also did years ago when crossing borders back when there were border gates.

When I last renewed my passport, I also got a Passport Card. Though not suitable for entry into countries, it serves as an official piece of identification. It’s the size of a credit card and has all vital information.

This, along with the passports stays somewhere secure while we are out
and about, usually a room safe, or secreted somewhere amongst our
things if there is no safe.

My feelings are the opposite. The most secure place I have for critical documents while travelling is having them attached to me. It's kept in a money belt with me all the time.

The country you are visiting gets to decide what they accept as official identification and documentation, not the US.

Stan said it correctly.
In the UK I leave my passport safely where I’m staying.
I have a copy with me.
In Europe, I carry my passport with me in my moneybelt at all times.
It’s not true that you will never be asked to show it.
We were asked for them half way up a mountain road in the Dolomites at a police road check a couple of years ago.
I think they were looking for a specific person/criminal perhaps.
I have also been asked for mine in Turkey, also at a police road check, while driving with Turkish friends.

Just a reminder to everyone that the OP has posted their question in the England forum, so presumably that is where they are headed. Therefore European norms are irrelevant, as the UK doesn't have a national ID card. And ianandjulie's and jc's responses are all he needs.

Kim you are right, of course, but since the OP framed it as possibly an "ignorant question" I thought it was appropriate to point out that it was not "ignorant" as its not a universal standard.

I've never carried my passport around in any country

In the UK there is no requirement to carry ID and no legal power for it to be asked for - you may be asked for it as a condition e.g. at a hotel, but otherwise not at all. Leave it in the safest place you can

I never carry my passport either. To be honest I had no idea it was a legal requirement in much of Europe and have never been asked for it. I think it’s much safer in the hotel room.

I wear my passport the whole time except if I'm doing a day at the beach - not happening in the UK!

It goes in a concealed money belt attached to my bra- and I forget its there. Its far safer than in my room because no one else can pick it up, Ican't leave it behind.

And yes you may need to show it - cases I've been asked (can't recall if it was the UK), hiring a car, changing money at a counter, proof of age for discounts.

Plus there is the unknown times. A cruise shp tendered in NZ a few years ago - the wind changed and a few hundred cruise shp passengers didn't make it back on board. Those who didn't have passports would have found it hard to check in to a hotel.

If there is a bomb/shooting/explosion/earthquake/coup what ever - you may never get back to your hotel. I have everything i NEED (not want ) to travel with me - my passport, my cards my cash, phone. The stuff in the hotel can be abandoned.

Thanks, everyone. We'll leave them in the hotel. I've never had anything go missing from a room yet, including electronics that would be much easier to sell.

ianandjulie, I like the idea of paper copies! I can fit our passports and drivers' licenses on a single sheet, and make a copy for each of us.

Philip, I'll look into a passport card the next time we renew.

The only reason you may actually need your passport in England would be to tour Parliament. I did just read their website which is a bit unclear. I think I had to show mine when I did the tour, but I can not swear to this.

I have only needed ID for alcohol once or twice and that was an afterhours nightclub I highly doubt anyone else on this forum will be visiting. Since I’m almost double the age of 18, I’ve never been asked at regular pubs

I was just in England and never carried my passport. I was never asked for it.

I have been other places in Europe, and also have not carried it. I do have a photocopy if needed. The only time I had my actual passport on me was to go to the Reichstag in Berlin because it was required.

It’s no business of any British police officer who you are unless they suspect you of criminal activity.

It would be nice, if when you get your passport, you also get a small laminated card, the size of a driver's license with anticounterfeit measures, like Real IDs do. Maybe with a QR code? Its not something to be stamped, just something officially tied to your passport booklet. I carry my passport, in the money belt, on person all the time. And it is a bit of a pain. I wish money belt makers would just make the things 1/4 inch taller, cause the Passport is always a tight fit to close the zipper.

Philip.... when did you last get your passport that included the card?