How to Organize Travel Documents

Imagine that you lost your passport and traveldocuments and information in one place. If you are
documents or that your credit card was stolen whilemissing any travel information, try to find it by
traveling in a foreign country. These types oflooking through filing cabinets, asking family or
nightmarish situations can’t be prevented entirely,contacting schools you recently attended which may
but careful preparation can make them morestill have your records.
manageable.Centralize
Before the digital age it was recommended thatOnce you have all necessary traveling documents and
travelers make multiple paper copies of theirinformation, enter what you need into your personal
important documents and information, and storecomputer. You can either scan the documents into
these copies in various locations. Now, there areyour computer, or type important numbers and
better ways of organizing travel documents andexpiration dates into a document. If you choose to
important information for international travel. A fewuse a scanner, be sure to scan each important page
simple tips can ensure that your documents willof your passport, and scan both the front and back
always be organized and accessible.of your credit cards and driver's license. If you would
Research Which Travel Documents You’ll Needrather take photos of your documents, these can
This may differ from country to country, so checkalso be uploaded. Keep these temporarily in a safe
with the embassy of the country you’re visiting.file on your computer.
You can usually find travel information on theirStore Your Travel Documents
website.Finally, upload your scanned documents and enter
A standard travel document list* includes:important information onto a secure website. You
- Valid passportcan enter wallet items, such as passports and credit
- Driver's license for identificationcards, and health information including travel
- Visa (depending on how long you will be visiting)immunization records and health care providers. Read
- Credit and debit cards (and card information toBest Ways to Access and Store Travel Immunization
cancel card if it is stolen)Records for more information on storage. On
- Immunization and vaccine records*Learn more about required documents at the
CollectionDepartment of State’s website.
Collect all necessary documents. Gather all physical