Passports

This will start the old do you carry or not carry the passport thread which is beat to death weekly. Personally I will argue that you carry your passport all the time since it is the only thing that proves your are legally in the country. Some countries require you to carry ID all the time --- "Your papers, please !!" And copy of the passport just doesn't cut it with the police -- maybe shop clerk but not the police. Others will argue that you don't need it, never been asked for it, leave lock in the room, etc. It your choice -- I follow the practice I would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Are you sitting down? http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm?topic=5330 http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm?topic=29941 http://www.ricksteves.com/graffiti/helpline/index.cfm?fuseaction=readtopic&topicID=56690&page=2 These aren't even the 2011 threads...just a random sampling of the MANY previous threads. FWIW, I always have mine in my moneybelt - besides the ID function, many times I've needed it for shipping (unplanned) purchases, it's required in many internet cafes, and if it's on ME, I know it's not anywhere it shouldn't be...

I am curious how my passport proves I am "legally in the country" and under what circumstances I would be required to prove that. Let's say I land in France and go through immigration there, and then travel by train to Italy. No one looks at my passport at the border crossing, so how does it prove I am "legally" in Italy? I do know I have to show my passport to the hotel reception so they can register us with the police. But that is not a reason for carrying the passport around at all times afterward. Of course there may be other reasons for carrying it around, but I'm always curious why this one is listed.

My only reason for not carrying it, is more chance of losing it.

"I am curious how my passport proves I am "legally in the country" and under what circumstances I would be required to prove that. Let's say I land in France and go through immigration there, and then travel by train to Italy. No one looks at my passport at the border crossing, so how does it prove I am "legally" in Italy? " Because Italy and France share a treaty with other European countries that allows free passage among them. Immigration control is at the point of entry into the first country and the point of departure from the last. The best reason to carry your passport is that if you lose it, the next few days of your itinerary are going to involve visits to the US Consulate.

I never carry my passport when sightseeing and leave it locked up in the hotel safe. I have never been stopped by anyone in europe while sightseeing asking to see my passport. Leaving your passport in the hotel safe is one less thing to worry about losing. In the old days when you used travelers checks you needed your passport to cash them out.

Debbie, you carry your drivers license all the time. When was the last time you lost your license. There was a posting a couple of year ago when a student in Barcelona who was by two uniform police and asked for his passport. Reason unknown for the stop. In much of Europe police do not need probable cause as in the US. They can simply do an identity check. His Spanish was not good and he tried to impress them with a copy of his passport. Had it not been for some locals who intervened with excellent English and Spanish his feeling was that he would have been in jail for awhile. Europe has the problems with illegal immigration as we do in the states. And Europe has been cracking down. Will middle age, or gray hair American tourist get stopped, probably not. But the point is your are required to have an id and a passport proves who you are and you are legally there because your passport has an entry stamp in one of the Schogen zone countries.

But how do you know they were really police? There is a well-known scam specifically in Barcelona involving fake police who ask to see your passport. There is a pot on Tripadvisor about it right now. The locals said that "real" police would not do random passport checks and one should never show one's passport to a "policeman" who stops you on the street. Insist on going to the police station.

Another reason to carry your passport: If you are shopping and want to take advantage of the VAT tax, you will need to show your passport, plus know the number. I guess for convenience purposes, you could carry a copy of your PP.

Although technically you are supposed to have it with you, the chance of legally needing it are so remote that it really doesn't matter which you choose. Do what you feel most comfortable with.

The police were uniform police. The scam that you are talking about is an undercover police, no uniform, and no badges or id. The police have the right stop and check ids and they do.

You are citing the hearsay report of a young person who did not speak the language, and was shaken up by the experience. He apparently said they had uniforms but what does that mean? There are fake uniforms too, I have seen them (uniform lookalike). You are relying on one report by a stranger and you do not know the details. You have apparently traveled to Europe many times ( as have I). Have you EVER. ( emphasis necessary) been stopped on the street by officials and asked to show your passport? I think not, and it is probably not just because you are an old white guy. I am neither old, nor white, nor a guy, but have traveled extensively in France and Italy, and have never been asked to show my passport on the street to prove I am "legally" in the country. Police on the street are not immigration officials and European countries are not police states. Unless you can cite to a particular country's law stating that it is required to carry a passport at all times, I will continue to leave mine in the hotel safe.

Some of these post are getting out of hand... Everyone seems to be of the belief that the only time you'll need an ID is if a police officer walks up to you and demands it. But just as in the US, there can be times when you must identify yourself to police: traffic stops, accidents, border crossings, if suspected of a crime... As I said before, these are very remote but the only valid ID for a tourist in Europe is your passport (though in most cases they'd probably accept a state drivers license and IDP). Besides, if you are suspected of a crime, you have much bigger problems than having your passport in your hotel safe...

One of the things that I value about this board is the opportunity for different people to share their experiences out of a desire to help others. It's important to be respectful of people who may have different opinions because their experiences have been different or perhaps their priorities are different. There are plenty of other boards where mocking and attacking are common. Let's not let this become one of them, just because we are relatively anonymous. Frank has been a valued member of this community for a long time and has a wealth of knowledge that we can all benefit from. He's putting forward his own opinion based on his experiences and things he has read. Let's respect that. Thanks, everyone.

There isn't any question that you may have to show your passport at border crossings (but rarely do except upon entry at the airport, when you go through immigration.) But traffic stops and accidents? Isn't that where you show your driver's license, not passport? (And if you are in Italy, you will hopefully have your International Drivers' Licence as well.) I do recall reading here somewhere by one of the residents in Germany that you are required to carry identification there at all times. But I don't think he or she said it has to be a passport.

Well said, Michael. I agree that these postings get out of hand sometimes.
Now, to the actual question: I always carry my passport with me. Have I been stopped? No, and the chances are remote, as are suspicions of crimes, requests for ID, or having my passport stolen while in the hotel. While these may all be remote possibilities, they are all avoided by having your passport securely in your moneybelt.

It always bothers me when people say here we go again on xxx topic. If you don't have anything to add ignore it. It seems the forums here are always flooded with new people, threads can be interesting even if the topic has been discussed hundreds of times. It is not easy to search these boards and there is new info all the time. If you feel your passport is secure in the hotel such as in a safe leave it there, if you prefer to carry it keep it in deep storage (money belt, neck pouch etc) on your person. Have fun in Rome!

Thank you all for your input. I guess this is one of the many decisions we still need to ponder before our trip.