Do not apply bleach, alcohol, disinfectant wipes, mildew remover, water, or other cleaners to a passport. The State Department lists mold and stains as passport damage. Cleaning cannot restore a mold-damaged passport to guaranteed travel validity.
Your immediate goals are to stop additional moisture, limit mold exposure, inspect the document, and replace it when mold or related damage is visible.
Decide Whether to Clean, Isolate, or Replace It
| What you find | What to do |
|---|---|
| Mold only on a removable passport cover | Remove the cover without rubbing the passport. Clean or discard the cover separately, then inspect the passport for spots, stains, moisture, odor, warping, or stuck pages. |
| The passport was near mold but has no visible mold or damage | Move it to a cool, dry, ventilated place. Inspect every page, the data page, binding, and back cover before travel. |
| Visible mold, stains, stuck pages, warping, or damaged printing | Do not use the passport for travel. Follow the damaged passport replacement process. |
| International travel is within 14 days | Request a passport agency appointment or get help from a trusted registered passport courier service. |
A damaged passport replacement requires an in-person application appointment. A registered courier can review your application and handle agency submission and pickup when you cannot make the agency trip yourself.
What to Do With a Moldy Passport
Isolate the Passport
Move the passport away from other documents. If it is damp, do not seal it in plastic. Place it on clean, dry paper in a well-ventilated area where children and pets cannot reach it.
Protect Yourself From Mold Exposure
Wear gloves, an N95 respirator, and protective goggles before handling visible mold. People with asthma, mold allergies, chronic lung disease, or a weakened immune system should not handle moldy items.
Get Moisture Out of the Passport
Use room air circulation or a dehumidifier to reduce moisture around the passport. Keep it away from direct sun, heaters, hair dryers, ovens, radiators, and other heat sources. Do not force damp or stuck pages apart.
Do Not Apply Cleaners or Abrasive Tools
Do not use bleach, alcohol, disinfectant wipes, soap, mildew remover, sprays, erasers, brushes, or a vacuum on the passport. These methods can add stains, spread ink, tear pages, separate layers, or damage the electronic chip and security features.
A removable external passport cover is different. Take it off and clean it or throw it away.
Inspect the Passport for Damage
Check the cover, binding, data page, visa pages, and back cover. Replace the passport when you find:
- Visible mold or stains.
- Pages that are stuck together, torn, warped, or missing.
- Smudged, faded, altered, or unreadable information.
- Peeling or separation around the data page.
- A loose cover or damaged binding.
- Damage near the electronic chip in the back cover.
Cleaning does not guarantee acceptance.
Airlines and border officials can reject a passport that appears damaged or altered. The State Department specifically identifies mold as passport damage.
How to Replace a Mold-Damaged Passport
A passport damaged by mold does not qualify for renewal by mail or online. Apply in person with Form DS-11.
Bring the following to a passport acceptance facility:
- The damaged passport.
- A signed statement explaining how the mold or moisture damage occurred.
- Original evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy when the damaged passport cannot serve as citizenship evidence.
- An acceptable photo ID and a photocopy of the front and back.
- One compliant passport photo.
- The required passport fees.
Do not sign Form DS-11 until the acceptance agent instructs you to sign it. Do not file Form DS-64 unless the passport is also lost or stolen.
Adult Replacement Fees
| Document | Application fee | Acceptance fee | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport book | $130 | $35 | $165 |
| Passport card | $30 | $35 | $65 |
| Book and card | $160 | $35 | $195 |
Expedited processing adds $60. Routine processing is currently 4 to 6 weeks, and expedited processing is currently 2 to 3 weeks. Mailing time is additional.
Urgent Replacement Before Travel
For international travel within 14 calendar days, request an appointment at a regional passport agency. Bring the complete DS-11 packet and printed proof of travel.
A registered passport courier can handle agency submission and pickup when the nearest agency requires a long trip or you cannot attend. Compare the courier fee with the cost of transportation, lodging, parking, and time away from work.
Use the urgent passport replacement guide or compare services in our passport courier directory.
How to Prevent Passport Mold
- Store it in a cool, dry place. Avoid bathrooms, basements, attics, vehicles, and other areas with heat or moisture.
- Never store a damp passport. Let moisture leave the document before putting it away.
- Use a protective travel pouch. A waterproof pouch protects the passport during travel, but remove the passport after the trip and store it in a dry location.
- Control storage humidity. Keep a fresh desiccant packet in the storage area without placing chemicals directly against the passport.
- Inspect it before booking travel. Check the data page, pages, binding, and cover while there is still time to replace it.
Moldy Passport FAQs
Do not rely on cleaning to restore travel validity. The State Department lists mold and stains as damage. Replace a passport with visible mold or related damage.
No. Liquids and chemicals can stain pages, damage printing, warp the passport, or affect its security features.
No. Apply in person with Form DS-11. Damaged passports do not qualify for DS-82 mail renewal or online renewal.
No. If you still have it, submit the damaged passport and a signed damage statement. Use Form DS-64 only when a valid passport is lost or stolen.
Do not count on it being returned. The State Department can retain a damaged passport after replacement.
Request a passport agency appointment and bring proof of international travel. A registered courier can handle agency submission and pickup when you cannot make the agency trip yourself.
Last reviewed: July 2026
Our role: U.S. Passport Service Guide explains the official damaged-passport rules and replacement options. The State Department decides whether a passport is valid, whether it can serve as citizenship evidence, and whether to issue a replacement.
Before travel: Replace a passport with visible mold, stains, stuck pages, warping, unreadable information, or damage to the data page, binding, cover, or chip. Do not wait for an airline or border official to make the decision at departure.
