Replacing Damaged Passports: What Are the Requirements?
Published January 09, 2023
Getting a passport can be tedious. But of course, since it’s a necessary document for travel, you must do it regardless. Thankfully, US passports are valid for five to ten years.
However, if you’re unfortunate enough to damage your passport, you’ll have to apply for a new passport sooner than anticipated. This time, however, the requirements will be a bit different.
But first, do you truly need to replace your damaged passport?
How Damaged Does a Passport Have To Be To Need a Replacement?
If you lost the passport, you obviously have to replace it. After all, you cannot categorize the state of being lost into different levels. But when it comes to damage, it becomes more sophisticated.
To start with, there are different levels of damage.
Unlike when you lose a passport, the damage can be categorized into different levels. If you accidentally sit on the passport, for instance, you’ll likely cause the passport to fold in some way.
In that case, you can very quickly repair the damage and make it look like it was never folded. But if the passport was damaged due to a storm and was completely ripped apart, that’s a different story.
So, at what level of damage would there be a need to replace the passport? you may ask. Here’s a look at some examples of surefire ways to tell that your damaged passport needs a replacement:
- Water damage
- Loose or frayed binding
- Torn out visa pages
- Holes
- Markings on the data page
- Large tears
- Damage, specifically in the RFID chip
These are specific examples the State Department provided. However, they also noted that any damage that significantly changes the composition or integrity of the passport would warrant a replacement. They also provided examples of damage that should still be fine, like:
- wear and tear,
- markings in the visa pages, and
- a small tear on a visa page.
It’s best to lean more towards replacing your passport rather than second-guessing yourself.
After all, you wouldn’t want to go to the airport only to find out your passport is not usable because you refused to get a replacement months before. Of course, once you decide to replace your passport, you will need to know what you need to gather.
What Are the Requirements for Replacing Damaged Passports?
The requirements for replacing damaged passports are roughly the same as the requirements for getting them the first time. But considering how it’s probably been a long time since your first application, it makes sense that you no longer remember all the details. So, here’s a list of the requirements:
- A signed statement explaining the damage to the passport
- The damaged passport
- Form DS-11
- Proof of citizenship (e.g., birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, certificate of citizenship, etc.)
- A photocopy of the proof of citizenship
- Present ID
- A photocopy of the present ID
- Photo to be used for the new passport
- Fee ($165)
In case you truly can’t recall your first time applying for a passport, the only difference between this and the normal application process is the first two requirements.
You have to bring the damaged passport so they can confirm that you’re not tricking them. You must also provide an explanation through a statement or document for greater authenticity.
Other than these two, there’s really no difference in the process.
How Do You Replace Damaged Passports?
Once you have all the requirements, all you have to do is go through with the actual application process. Here’s how a damaged passport replacement process usually goes:
- Go to a nearby passport or acceptance facility.
- Either get a Form DS-11 in the facility and fill it out there or fill it out at your home, print it out, then give the form to the clerk as soon as you arrive.
- Follow their instructions.
- Choose a service, whether you want to receive it at the normal speed or quicker than usual. Naturally, premium services that deliver the passport more quickly will have higher fees.
- Go home and wait for the agency to deliver the passport to your mailing address.
(Related: Do I Need to Get a New Passport After a Name Change?)
Lost Your Birth Certificate? Request A Replacement Online
Instant Vital Records offers a birth certificate replacement service you can use from the comfort of your home. Enter your information and our software will automatically complete the required forms for your state. We print and mail your forms along with required payments to your state health department. You can trust that we take your personal information privacy and security seriously with HIPAA compliant data storage and data encryption. To get started, simply click here to begin your application. Your replacement documents will arrive by mail to your home within a few weeks.
This Blog Is Fact Checked By Experts
Our team of experts has thoroughly verified the accuracy of this content. For detailed information on the editorial guidelines followed on our website, please click here.
About The Author
Lenard Arceo is an experienced blogger and writer who enjoys learning to code in his spare time. His commitment to delivering factual content is what has helped him create hundred of helpful articles that have reached millions of people.