Originally Posted by
dtsm
I've found best not to carry my passport around but rather a photocopy (and of course keep one at one where someone has access to same in case of emergency).
Nowadays if you think the photocopy isn't enough, state department now actually provides a passport ID card that is valid to land travel to Canada but not international air travel. You can carry this around in lieu of photocopy.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt...card_3926.html
My passport lives in one of the Travelon RFID-blocking cases as well.
With regard to a passport copy/passport card, what I use to carry with me in countries where it's not required to have passport on self at all times is a self-made laminated copy. I copy the front page of the passport (in black and white to be legal) at 64 or 67% reduction, which ever is the smallest standard reduction on your copy machine. Trim it, then use the credit card luggage tag lamination blanks at Kinkos to laminate it. Trim and it's the perfect credit card size. I've used it at banks internationally to change money, ID for purchases/VAT tax refunds, and everything else non-official when a passport was requested, even as ID for cruise ships and ports. Never have I been questioned about it. Of course, my passport travels with me, but for day-to-day, it stays in the hotel/ship safe and the "card" is my ID.