Replacing a damaged passport requires proof of identity and citizenship, a passport photo, and payment. The damaged passport must be surrendered and may require a form detailing the damage. Child passports now require a separate document. The cost varies depending on the speed of service.
In most cases, a damaged passport cannot be used and must be replaced with a new one. The process of replacing a damaged passport is similar to applying for a new one. You will need documents to verify your identity and citizenship, as well as an appropriate passport photo. If possible, try to remember how the damage occurred and when, because some governments require people with damaged passports to fill in a form detailing this information. Finally, passport replacement is rarely free, so you’ll need to have payment expenses on hand, which can be relatively expensive if you need the document in a hurry.
You will most likely be required to hand in your damaged passport with your application for a new one. Giving up your passport helps the Passport Service determine your identity and expedite the process. Be prepared to show proof of citizenship and identity, such as birth certificate and driver’s license. If your passport was an older document that included a photograph of your child, you may need to obtain a separate passport for him or her. Governments are abandoning two-person passes as acceptable travel documents, so passports for children are now available.
Passports require a photograph that meets certain guidelines. You will need to have a copy of the photograph used on the damaged passport or a completely new photograph. There are professionals who are familiar with the requirements for passport photography and can take and print an appropriate photo within an hour.
When the Passport Service processes your new passport application, it will assess the damage done to your old passport. In general, they look for signs of tampering, which is against the law in many countries. You may be asked to fill in a form detailing what happened to your passport. If there are obvious signs of fraudulent tampering, the form could be used as evidence against you, especially if a crime has been committed other than tampering with the passport. There is nothing to worry about if your passport has been accidentally damaged.
Replacing a damaged passport usually costs as much as getting a new one. If you need your passport within a month, additional charges may apply. In general, the faster you want your new passport to be made available to you, the more you have to pay. Child passports often cost about half the cost of an adult, but expedited service charges are generally the same. Some passport services are able to create and send passports within a week.
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