Before you travel: a simple passport-safety routine

Small document habits can prevent a minor travel problem from becoming a major disruption.

Start with the basics

Check the personal information in the passport, the expiry date and the condition of the photo page. Keep the passport closed and dry when it is not being used, and avoid storing loose documents against the photo page where ink or moisture could transfer.

Plan for secure storage

When travelling, keep the passport with other important personal items and use secure storage when it is available. The Government of Canada advises travellers not to leave passports unattended in luggage, vehicles or hotel rooms. A waterproof pouch can also reduce the risk of accidental damage.

Keep sensitive details private

Avoid posting full passport images, passport numbers or machine-readable data to social media or public cloud folders. If you need a digital copy for your own records, store it in a secure location with access controls. Online never asks readers to upload passport scans or identity documents.