Before heading on a trip outside the country, make sure you have the following important travel phone numbers on hand - preferably saved electronically in your email and on a card in your wallet:

What: Overseas citizen services, 202-501-4444
When to use it: In the event of the death of an American citizen abroad, arrest/detention of an American citizen abroad, robbery of an American citizen abroad, American citizens missing abroad, crisis abroad involving American citizens.

What: Visa services, 202-663-1225
When to use it: When you have inquiries about visa cases and the application process for securing visas while traveling abroad.

What: Passport services, 202-663-2654
When to use it: To obtain an emergency passport or replace a lost U.S. passport from outside the country.