This guide is designed to provide you with all the information you need, whether you're dealing with a water-damaged passport, a torn one, or any other form of damage that will make your passport unusable.
If you have international travel within 14 days, or need a foreign visa within 28 days, you may qualify for an urgent passport agency appointment. Appointment availability and same-day issuance are not guaranteed. A registered passport expediting service may help eligible applicants with submission logistics.
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Table of Contents
What Qualifies as a Damaged Passport?
The definition of what actually qualifies as a "significantly damaged passport" is fuzzy. Even the Federal Regulations that are used to assess a damaged passport do not offer a lot of help on this subject.
In the section on passport invalidity, the regulation states, "A United States passport is invalid as soon as:
The passport has been materially changed in physical appearance or composition, or contains a damaged, defective or otherwise nonfunctioning chip, or includes unauthorized changes, obliterations, entries or photographs, or has observable wear or tear that renders it unfit for use as a travel document, and the Department either takes possession of the passport or sends a written notice to the bearer.The most confusing part of the definition of a damaged passport is the term "observable wear and tear". In our over 20 years of speaking with readers, passport experts, and passport officials, we have received pretty consistent answers to the question, "How observable does damage have to be in order for a passport to be rendered invalid?"
Examples of Normal Passport Wear and Tear
Are dog-earred pages sufficient wear and tear to render the passport unusable? Not usually.What if the gold on the emblem has been rubbed off? Not a big deal.
While each of these examples may fall under the category of "normal wear and tear," it will still be a subjective call made every time you try to use your passport. If you aren't comfortable with that, consider replacement soon.
Types of Significant Passport Damage
There are many clear-cut cases where a passport definitely is too damaged to use. Some of the most common include:
- Washed Passport: if you accidentally washed a passport and now have faded pages, loose binding, and/or smeared ink, your passport is too damaged to use.
While it can be difficult to determine the degree that water damage has affected a passport, if the structure or clarity of the document is comprimised, you will need a replacement.
- Unofficial Markings: If pages in your passport have been defaced by stickers, ink, paint, mold, or stains that cannot be removed, you will likely need a replacement.
- Stuck Pages: If pages in your passport are stuck together and cannot be separated (particularly if it impacts the personal data page or visa stamps), you will need a new passport.
- Rips, Tears, and Holes: major tears, missing pages, or serious damage to your passport's cover or binding can make it unfit for travel. Minor wear is different, but damage to the personal data page is especially concerning.
- Damaged RFID Chip: A damaged or nonfunctioning RFID chip can make a passport unfit for travel. Chip problems may not be obvious by looking at the passport, so seek official guidance if you suspect a defect rather than waiting for an airport scan.
How to Replace a Damaged Passport: Step-by-Step
Replacing a damaged passport can be a straightforward process if you know the right steps to follow. This guide will walk you through each step, ensuring you can complete the process and get your new, undamaged passport.
Step 1: Determine the Extent of the Damage
- Assess the Damage: Evaluate whether your passport is indeed damaged to the extent that it requires replacement. Examples of significant damage include water damage, torn pages, a detached cover, or unscannable biometric information.
As a rule, if you think your passport might meet the threshold for "significant damage," replace it.
- Documentation: If possible, take photographs of the damage for your records. Also, copy any relevant information inside the book you may need or wish to preserve.
Once you submit your replacement application, your damaged passport may or may not be returned to you.
Step 2: Gather Required Documentation
- Form DS-11: Complete Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport. For damage beyond normal wear and tear, you must apply in person.
- Proof of Identity: Bring a valid form of identification, such as a driver's license or government-issued ID, and the required photocopy. Bring separate evidence of U.S. citizenship if the damaged passport cannot be used as proof.
- Passport Photos: Get recent, compliant passport photos. Ensure they meet the specified standards and avoid mistakes that might cause your application to be delayed or rejected.
Step 3: Prepare a Statement Explaining the Damage
- Written Statement: Prepare and sign a brief statement explaining how your passport was damaged. Submit it with the damaged passport and your application.
Step 4: Visit a Passport Acceptance Facility or Agency
- Find a Location: Locate your nearest passport acceptance facility or regional passport agency.
For routine or expedited processing, you can usually apply in person at a passport acceptance facility. A regional passport agency appointment is generally for qualifying urgent travel.
- Appointment: Schedule an appointment if your acceptance facility requires one. Regional passport agencies operate by appointment only, subject to eligibility and availability.
Step 5: Submit Your Application and Pay the Fees
- Submission: Hand in your completed DS-11 form, photographs, proof of identity, damaged passport, and the written statement.
- Fees: Pay the applicable passport replacement fees. This will be the same cost as a new passport (including a $35 execution fee per passport).
These prices are currently:
- $165 for an adult passport book
- $65 for an adult passport card
- $135 for a minor's passport book
- $50 for a minor's passport card
Step 6: Choose Standard or Expedited Processing
- Consider Processing Time: Choose between standard processing (currently 4 to 6 weeks) or expedited service (currently 2 to 3 weeks) based on your urgency.
- Additional Fee for Expedited Service: Be prepared to pay an additional fee if you choose expedited processing.
- If you need a passport faster than 2 to 3 weeks, skip ahead to the next section, Replace a Damaged Passport Fast.
Step 7: Track Your Application
- Application Tracking: Once your application is submitted, you can track its status online. This helps you stay informed about the processing stage of your new passport.
Step 8: Receive Your New Passport
- Delivery: Your new passport will be mailed to the address you provided. It typically arrives in a secure package.
Once your new passport arrives, be sure to check for errors. Some passport printing or data errors can be corrected without a fee; the requirements depend on the error and when the passport was issued.
- Old Passport: The State Department generally retains damaged passports, so do not assume yours will be returned. If it is returned, it will no longer be valid for travel.
What if you need to replace a damaged passport fast?
Current passport application processing times range from 4 to 6 weeks. These times are subject to change depending upon how many people are applying and the current workload of the U.S. Department of State.
Expedited passport processing is currently taking 2 to 3 weeks.
Regional passport agencies may be able to issue a replacement very quickly to applicants who qualify for urgent travel service, but same-day issuance is not guaranteed. There are two ways to get this done:- Schedule an appointment at the nearest regional passport agency. You will have to travel to the agency and submit the application yourself. This can add significant, hidden costs to the passport application process, including transportation, time off from work, and possibly food and lodging while you wait for your passport application to be processed.
- Authorize a reputable passport expediter to assist with your application. A courier may help with document review, eligible agency submissions, and delivery logistics. It cannot bypass passport requirements, guarantee issuance, or make the State Department process an application faster than it would through a direct agency appointment.
Be sure to check out our guide to the top passport expediting services to get our expert recommendations based on over 20 years of helping readers like you.
Damaged Passport Replacement Frequently Asked Questions
In our years of experience in passport services, we've gathered common questions about damaged passport replacement.
Below are some specific questions and their answers, with links for additional information where relevant.
- What exactly qualifies as a 'damaged' passport?
- A passport is considered damaged if it has significant physical defects like water damage, torn pages, or unauthorized markings. Minor wear and tear usually don't qualify.
- Can I travel with a damaged passport?
- Traveling with a noticeably damaged passport is risky and it might not be accepted by authorities. Replace it before you travel if it's damaged.
- Is there an expedited service available for damaged passport replacement?
- Expedited services are available for an additional fee. Currently a replacement can be processed in 2 to 3 weeks.
- How do I prove my passport was damaged if it's not visibly obvious?
- Provide a written statement describing the damage, especially if it's internal (like an issue with a faulty RFID chip).
- Will my damaged passport be returned to me after replacement?
- Usually, the damaged passport is retained and not returned. If a passport is returned, it will have corner cut or a hole punched in it to indicate its invalidity.
- Can I repair my damaged passport instead of replacing it?
- Do not attempt to repair significant damage yourself. Alterations can create additional problems; apply for a replacement instead.
- Are there additional fees for replacing a damaged passport?
- Standard new passport fees apply. There are no additional fees for damage, but expedited processing and/or speedier delivery options cost extra.
- How should I submit my damaged passport for replacement?
- For significant damage, bring the damaged passport to your in-person Form DS-11 appointment at an acceptance facility or passport agency. Do not mail it as a DS-82 renewal.
- What if my damaged passport had additional visa pages, can they be transferred?
- Visa pages cannot be transferred between passports. Contact the relevant embassies for visa transfers.
- Can I apply for a damaged passport replacement online?
- Online renewal is not available for a passport damaged beyond normal wear and tear. Apply in person using Form DS-11.
Don't Risk Traveling with a Damaged Passport
Due to the subjective nature of damaged passport rules, we always encourage American citizens to replace their damaged travel document if they have any doubt at all about its usability.
Yes, you will have to pay the fees to get a new passport, but it will almost always be significantly less than the cost of having to reschedule or cancel an international trip at the last minute.
If your passport has been damaged and you want to apply for a replacement, you can do this by following the same steps that are required in order to obtain a new passport. You must also submit the damaged passport and a signed statement explaining the damage, along with the application and supporting documents.
If you are in a hurry to get your replacement passport, compare a direct agency appointment with help from a private courier. A passport expediting service may be useful when agency travel or submission logistics are difficult, but it cannot guarantee same-day issuance.
Be aware, you might not get your damaged passport back. For security reasons, damaged passports may be retained or destroyed by the U.S. Department of State.
Pro Tip: A passport with only normal wear and tear may be eligible for renewal by mail if you meet all Form DS-82 requirements.
Compare Your Fast Passport Options
If routine service is too slow, you may need an agency appointment or help from a registered courier. Compare your options before you decide.
