Keeping your passport safe and secure
Your passport is a valuable document. It proves your identity and Australian citizenship.
Keep your passport safe and secure by:
- storing it in a safe, dry place
- not altering it in any way
- knowing where it is at all times
- never allowing anyone else to use it.
Make a copy of your passport’s photo page or record the number and expiry date. It can be useful for your own reference and in certain travel situations. Keep these details somewhere secure.
There's a page in your passport for personal and emergency contact information. Use a pencil so you can easily update this information in the future.
Taking care of your passport
Keep your passport in good condition. If you damage your passport, you may not be able to travel. Deliberately damaging your passport is a crime.
Don't store your boarding pass inside your passport. The ink from the boarding pass can transfer to the photo page and obscure important details.
Take care not to bend the cover backwards, or you could damage the stitching that holds the passport together.
You may notice a slight curling on the cover of your R Series passport. This occasionally happens due to changes in humidity. It's not a manufacturing defect and doesn't affect the validity of your passport.
Keeping your passport tightly secured can help reduce this curling. For example, use an envelope or passport holder to store and protect your passport between uses.
Mailing your passport
If you need to mail your passport to get a visa or for another reason, use a service where you can track your passport’s location. This could be Registered Post or a courier service.
Include a self-addressed, pre-paid, registered envelope so you can track your passport’s return to you.
Protecting your passport against theft
If you lose your passport or if it’s stolen, someone could use it to steal your identity or for other criminal purposes.
Passports can be a target for identity theft as they hold key personal information, including your:
- full name
- date of birth
- place of birth
- passport number
- signature.
To protect yourself from identity theft:
- never share photos of your passport online
- always store your passport in a safe, secure place
- only disclose your passport information to trusted organisations with a legitimate need for it – ask them what they’ll do with your information if you're not sure.
Some international hotels and cruise companies hold their guests' passports during their stay. Raise any concerns you have with the travel provider before confirming your booking. You might have the option of providing a copy or scan of your passport instead of handing it over.
For more advice on protecting your personal information, visit the eSafety Commissioner website(Opens in a new tab/window).
If your passport is lost or stolen, call us on 131 232 or contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate. (Opens in a new tab/window)