Traveling abroad requires the use of a passport. In addition to expiration, your passport may also be deemed invalid by the relevant authorities due to damage or other reasons, making it unusable. Therefore, it is advisable for individuals planning to travel abroad to check their passports in advance to avoid disruptions to their trips.
It was previously reported by Epoch Times that a woman from Taiwan had planned to travel to the city of Wuhan, China in January 2020, but her passport was chewed up by her Golden Retriever, preventing her from traveling as scheduled. It was only later that she found out about the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Wuhan. She expressed gratitude to her beloved dog for impeding her journey, allowing her to celebrate the Lunar New Year safely.
Accidents like getting chewed by a dog, spilling coffee on it, inadvertently washing it with clothes, or sudden downpours can render your passport unusable due to damage. So, to what extent can a damaged passport be considered unusable? And what should one do if the passport is severely damaged?
David Alwadish, the founder and CEO of passport and visa services company ItsEasy.com, told The Huffington Post that damaged passports can delay the customs clearance process as officials may suspect tampering or fraud by the individual.
“When a passport is damaged, immigration officers find it difficult to verify the person’s identity, especially when important identity information cannot be read or scanned,” Alwadish said.
This is why various governments and airlines have established policies regarding damaged passports.
Sally French, a travel expert from NerdWallet, pointed out that even if a passport can technically be scanned, airline or customs staff may refuse entry if they suspect alterations or believe the machine cannot read it.
Alwadish explained that these regulations are in place to protect travelers and prevent fraud. “The security of these documents is compromised when they are damaged, making it difficult to verify the accuracy and consistency of the information. Requesting a passport replacement helps ensure there is no possibility of alteration or fraud.”
“If the passport is damaged beyond normal wear and tear, it may be considered invalid, and you will need to apply for a new passport,” he added.
Alwadish stated, “‘Normal wear and tear’ refers to natural aging, such as bending when kept in the back pocket or pages opening and closing frequently. Minor creases caused by travel are considered normal as long as the information, security features, and photo on the passport are intact.”
French mentioned that some scuffs, bent corners on the passport cover, or small stains are also considered ‘normal wear and tear.’ However, “once water stains, torn or missing pages, delamination, or unrecognizable photos are present, it will be considered damaged and may lead to being denied boarding at the airport.”
The U.S. Department of State website also outlines what constitutes passport damage, including water damage (including mold and stains), severe tears, unofficial marks on the data page, missing visa pages (torn, removed, or cut), and holes.
Alwadish added, “Any damage that alters the original state of the passport or identity information—such as water damage, tears, missing pages, unauthorized marks, holes, dog bites, or cover damage—will be deemed as the passport being beyond normal wear and tear.”
French advised, “If your passport is in a gray area, don’t take the risk. Even if your passport is still valid, you should apply for a new one.”
Alwadish emphasized that if your passport is damaged and nearing expiration, you should renew it regardless, rather than opting for a regular renewal. This is because replacing a damaged passport is difficult and the outcome is unpredictable, akin to playing Russian roulette.
As per the regulations of the U.S. Department of State, to replace a damaged passport, you must submit the damaged passport, a signed statement explaining the damage or missing parts, and a DS-11 form (including supporting documents, photos, and fees).
Regarding the requirement to submit damaged passports, Alwadish explained that the U.S. Department of State does not want individuals to dispose of damaged passports themselves, as these documents may fall into the wrong hands and be misused.