Passport Stolen, but now found.

animum

Hi all,

I am not quite sure if this is the correct place to ask this but here goes.

My passport was stolen in the US, but has since been handed into a police station in US. I am the only person that can sign for it to be released, or an Irish Consulate. The consulate doesnt have the staff to do this, but have been helping me to try to get it posted to thier office, but this is proving to be very difficult.

I need to apply for a new passport ASAP as I am flying with Ryanair in January.
I have police reports/ and confirmation that the passport is in the Department of Foresnics and Evidence in Chicago. All of this is on official documents.
This is the second time my passport has been stolen in America.
Therefore I would now only be entitled to a restricted passport. I was to travel to Oz in Feb 2015, and you are not allowed into Oz only with a full passport.

So what I am asking is; Does anyone here think that I could plead a case with the passport office, as technically, my passport is not lost, I know its location and I have official documnetation to state the same.
Or if this cannot be done, does anyone know can I get a restricted passport for 2 years, but apply for a full one in 6 months time if I get my passport back?

I think its unfair that being mugged and all my personal belongings stolen from me, is completely different, to me misplacing or losing my passport.. I am being punished although being the victim of a crime. Doesnt seem fair to me.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions/ feedback..

Kristopherus

Could you try the American Embassy here?

animum

I didnt even think of that.

It seems that the Irish Consulate is arguing to the Chicago Police Department, that the passport is Irish Government property and they have no right to not release it, under my instructions and theirs.

It seems to be all red tape around it.
Very frustrating.
Thank you for your suggestion.

Zambia

What's a restricted passport?

Ken.

Zambia wrote: »

What's a restricted passport?

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel_and_recreation/travel_abroad/passports/replacing_a_lost_or_stolen_irish_passport.html

If you have a poor passport record, (that is, you have lost two or more passports) it is likely that a limited passport facility will be given to you for specific travel purposes. On each occasion on which a new passport is issued to you, (even when the passport is being issued for a limited time) you will have to pay the full cost of this passport.


From my reading of that its only people who lose their passports that get a restricted one. Yours was stolen so you shouldn't be penalized.

animum

I thought the same, but the passport office are telling me differently.

Its a rare one I guess.. once stolen it is probably not often recovered.

Ken.

Just had a thought. Do you know anyone in America. Family or friends. If yes could they hire a lawyer to go and get your passport back for you. Might be cost prohibitive.

source

Don't all Irish passports state they are property of the government and if found they are to be returned to the nearest consulate/embassy?

animum

source wrote: »

Don't all Irish passports state they are property of the government and if found they are to be returned to the nearest consulate/embassy?

Hi, thank you for your replies, the above is correct but they need a signature... I am not there and the consulate wont go down to the station.

animum

Hi all,

Incase someone else finds themselves in a similar situation, here is the outcome.
My passport has been release from evidence dept in chicagoa and returned to the Irish Consulate, who in turn, is posting it back to Passport Office in Dublin.
I called Dublin and gave them my passport number and asked if they could confirm that the passport is in their possession.
I have been informed that when the passports arrive, they are not recorded, they are instantly shredded. I will only be allowed a restricted passport on the basis that the passport will not be in my possession when I am applying.

There is no difference whatsoever between a passport being lost or stolen, when it is returned, no-one records this, I just wish I was told this at the start and I could have saved myself alot of time, money and stress trying to get it back to Ireland.
Sorry for the rant

shantolog

I don't mean to thread hijack but seeing as I have a similar passport question I hope its ok,... Should you definitely recieve your old passport back after applying for a new one?

Going through some old paperwork I came across a letter from the passport office stating my original documents (birth cert. ect. ) used in the passport renewal process were being returned but the passport was being sent back separately. I never actually got the old passport back and that was the last I heard of it, any ideas?

Thanks

schemingbohemia

I received my old passport back when I got my new one a few weeks ago. It will have had the corners cut off so will not be of much use to anyone if it was misplaced or lost, so no harm no foul.