There is a hotel in Bosnia that I was hoping to stay at this summer. When I contacted them via e-mail to make a reservation, they asked for a scanned copy of our passport (in addition to our telephone number). I've never had an accommodation make this request. Should this be concerning? The hotel is highly rated in Lonely Planet (RS does not cover the town we are going to in his book) and has good Trip Advisor reviews. But I'm still slightly put off by sending them a scanned copy of my passport information. Should I be concerned?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
I wouldn't worry about it. A copy of a passport is useless to a thief - only the actual passport has value to them. You will have to show your passport when you check in anyway, and they will record information from it.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23343 posts
Concerned about what? That is not an uncommon request or a request for your passport numbers. Often apartment owners will make the same request. They want to know who they are dealing with. When you check-in to a hotel in Italy they will copy your passport.
Posted by
Oak Park, Illinois
4535 posts
Perfectly normal and required by law in some countries. As noted, there is no harm that can come of it.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5836 posts
European properties commonly but not always ask to see passports of foreigners and would frequently photo copy the passport. Scannings saves paper.
Posted by
2081 posts
Jordan,
My first time in Europe the hotel clerk asked for my Passport. I asked them why and all they wanted was the number. I think its the number they are after, but rather have a "copy/fax" of it so they can verify its real and you.
Happy trails.
Posted by
OP
Snohomish, WA
77 posts
Thank you for sharing your stories (and assurances)!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32929 posts
perfectly normal
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
388 posts
We have heard of this before. If its anything like Italy, they may have to register all their guests with the local police. In Italy it is known as the "Permesso di Sogiorno". In Italy however, they take your passport on arrival and give it back when you come back down from your room. In Bosnia, it looks like they need that info ahead.
Posted by
Des Moines, IA
2193 posts
In addition to everything already mentioned, the passport details will also help the hotel collect (or even prosecute) should a guest trash a room, max out a scanned credit card with hotel services, refuse to pay, etc. While I have almost always been asked for my passport upon check-in across Europe, I have never been asked to leave it for the length of my stay. I know others have done this and think it’s no big deal, but I personally wouldn’t leave my passport with the front desk for my entire stay when it’s my only form of ID...I always keep it with me. As for sending a copy ahead of time, I don’t think it’s a big deal.
Posted by
Ballwin
833 posts
The Permesso di Sogiorno that Abe mentioned is completely different than the hotel registering your short stay with the local police. The Permesso di Sogiorno is a permit that you must apply for if you are staying over a certain number of days (90, IIRC) and it's a lengthy process with multiple visits to the questura, paperwork, fingerprinting, etc.
It is fairly normal to present your passport upon arrival at the hotel, although some do request a copy earlier, like your Bosnian hotel is doing. I wouldn't worry about it. If this is the hotel you want to stay in (since it has good reviews and ratings), then I would comply with the request.