What do I do with a damaged passport?
by joanne
(pa)
Question: My passport went in the washer and was damaged. What do I do with it?
Answer: Significantly damaged passports can neither be used for international travel nor are they eligible for renewal by mail. To replace the damaged passport you must appear at an application acceptance facility in order to apply for a new passport.
The State Department website states that water damage MAY constitute “damage” requiring use of Form DS-11. If the the book cover or the page displaying your personal data and photo have been damaged, you will definitely need to replace it.
If you have no plans to replace the passport, then you can either keep it as a memento or mail it to passport services where it will be invalidated.
Return to Passport Replacement FAQ.
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Top 5 Questions About Expedited Passport Couriers
2. What exactly does a passport expediter do?
3. Are passport expediting services legitimate?
4. How can I identify a reliable passport expeditor?
5. Is expedited passport service worth it? Read them in order or click the question you most want answered.
Expedited service takes from 5 to 7 weeks excluding mailing times on the front and back end. Current mailing delays are significant. Requesting 1-2-day mailing service is recommended.
Regional passport agencies are offering two types of appointments: Life-of-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service.
Life-or-death emergencies are serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family (parent, legal guardian, child, spouse, sibling, and grandparent) that require you to travel outside the United States within 3 business days.
If you need to travel due to a qualified life-or-death emergency, please call the National Passport Information Center for an appointment:
Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. ET, call 1-877-487-2778 (TDD/TTY:1-888-874-7793) Outside of these hours, call 202-647-4000.
For Urgent Travel Service, you need to call 14 days before your scheduled international travel or 28 days if you also need to secure a foreign visa.
If you need to travel urgently for reasons other than a life-or-death emergency, please call the NPIC at 1-877-487-2778 Mondays through Fridays 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. ET.
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