Passports and other legalities?

[deepbluevibes]

Here's a sort of interesting story;

I went to Indiana to visit family with my dad in July of this year. Now, we have a really intelligent cat, and we have our mailbox in the side of our house, i.e. it's part of the house, a slit in the wall.

Now, we taped that bastard shut, and put a towel in front of it to block it opening, but SOMEHOW our cat got through all that and got in the house.

For about three days. And couldn't get out.

So, coming back, we noticed that there was piss all over the house and cat crap after looking around a bit. Convienently for the cat there was a box laying on the ground with passports we had *just* recieved the day before we left to Indiana. It used it like a litterbox.

Now after brushing off the dried pee (it didnt crap on it) the passports stunk pretty bad but were still apparently useable, says the company we got them from or whoever.

Now here's my question; when I go to Tokyo, is it legal to photocopy the passport, and carry that around, leaving the real copy behind in my hotel? Because I mean this thing really stinks... and will the passport photocopy legally identify me with other identification added to it?

If not, how can I get around this? :-/

[Invictus]

You need the passport, not a copy. Sorry! You could always try taking the passport to the local consulate and seeing if they'll issue you a new one, given the rather unique circumstances...

...and if you try that, I totally want an article with the story. ;)

[decswxaqz]

I think it depends. By law, all foreigners have to carry their passport/alien ID card. I guess if you are going to be needing your passport in an official capacity (applying for stuff) then yes, you'll need you proper passport. But for every day things to confim who you are I guess a photocopy will do?
...
Or make your own passport and put a stamp on the front cover, wacky passport photo, the full works :P

[deepbluevibes]

You need the passport, not a copy. Sorry! You could always try taking the passport to the local consulate and seeing if they'll issue you a new one, given the rather unique circumstances...

...and if you try that, I totally want an article with the story. ;)

Tried. They wont.

[hapamama]

Get some febreeze and paper towels, or some dryer sheets.

Place paper towels dampened with febreeze or the dryer sheets between the pages of your passports. Seal in zip top freezer bags, and stick them under something heavy. It should deodorize your passports somewhat.

[koku]

OH no! Must write down EVERYTHING! Quick! What are you going to do the SECOND you arrive? Turn left and look at Japan? NO! THAT'S WAISTING TIME.

With quickness you must!


:P

[Henjin]

Is that some inside joke I'm missing, or have you finally gone off the deep end? :p

[atomiton]

i never carry my passport around... and I usually only use it when entering and leaving the country.

[koku]

Is that some inside joke I'm missing, or have you finally gone off the deep end? :p


I've been in the deep end waving for everyone to follow already :P

To answer your question, No. I'm just over exagerating deep blue's goal of planning everything for his 10 day trip.

Not sure if you remember when Pooka questioned it and deep responded a little harsh :P

Nothing like blowing things out of porportion (what i'm dong) to liven up the day ^^.


Psh deep end > j00.

[Chinpokomon]

Tried. They wont.
That's ridiculous.
I guess you'll just have to "lose" the passport so you can get a new one.

[deepbluevibes]

That's ridiculous.
I guess you'll just have to "lose" the passport so you can get a new one.

get one in 10 days before i leave? 0_o

also, this isnt planning out anything at all kokujin.. wtf? lol

[Chinpokomon]

get one in 10 days before i leave? 0_o

http://www.passportsandvisas.com/passport/new/rush.asp
http://www.passportsandvisas.com/passport/new/emergency.asp
I didn't say it would be cheap... ;)

[Henjin]

Put it in a ziplock bag so it doesn't smell up your bag/pocket.

[Xenotrauma]

hapamama should have you hooked up on this one, febreeze -owns- cat juice.

[stsparky]

You can get a duplicate Passport on a rush in about 24 hours from your local Federal Government. You pay for it - but it can be done. Do it.

[koku]

get one in 10 days before i leave? 0_o

also, this isnt planning out anything at all kokujin.. wtf? lol


OH NO!

the DeTAils are in shambles! What are we going to do!? Quick, rewind back 14.5 days so we can think longer!

Did you make copies of your schedule?

Did you memorize your schedule?

ARE YOU IN CONTROL?! THIS IS KILLING ME! IT'S TOO UNPREDICTABLE!

what if it rains? what if it rains? It will tear us apart. Oh God, Oh God, HELP.



:eek:

[Pierrot le Fou]

While it is illegal to be caught without passport/Japanese gov't ID if you're a non-citizen, chances are you won't get stopped for a random check, and even if you do, a passport copy including both the photo-page AND the visa for Japan should do it. It is technically illegal, so technically you could get deported, but the chances for that are truly minimal. I still would recommend carrying around the passport just in case.

[Henjin]

I actually wasn't aware that I needed to have it on me at all times. I only carried it around because I didn't want to leave it in my hotel room. Yeesh. Good thing I only forgot it once.

[hapacheese]

Heh... I always forget that it's illegal to not have your passport with you. I mean, I'm always afraid that I'm going to get drunk somewhere and forget it :(

[deepbluevibes]

yeah, my sentiments exactly... if you get it stolen, will a copy be legit enough to prove you are who you are if asked?

i.e. my passport is stolen.

three days later a cop checks me. then i have my copy on me. i explain that mine got stolen. will he be like "ok" or "fuck you"?

[Pierrot le Fou]

I have no idea. You're assuming that the cop cares enough to ask you to stop, that he can speak enough English to communicate that he wants to see your passport, cares enough that it's just a copy to do something about it, cares enough to tell you his name and take you back to the police box for questioning (both required by law), and then cares enough to hold you for hours seeking a confession before calling someone to get you deported.

99.9% of cops would understand would be my guess. But it's illegal anyway, so for the other .1%...

[Henjin]

*Walking along, minding own business, downing his 3rd bottle of Pocari Sweat*

*Spots koban*

察だ！パスポートがない。走れ!

*Promptly hit by bus because he looked the wrong way crossing the street*

[Scott]

I don't know about other people, but I was with my friend almost constantly for a week and a half walking around streets at all hours of the day (and night) and we were never stopped. I sort of blend in, but my friend is very conspicuously Caucasian, with pale skin, long, long blond hair (below his butt), and blue eyes. We're both fairly tall too.

We carried our passports at all times, though - just in case.

[atomiton]

sheesh... as IF you'd be deported for not having your passport on you.

paranoia extreme.

i've never been stopped in ANY country i've been to. it's not 3rd world, you know.