This is a shameless plea for help. Has anyone else ever sent their precious documents through a very unforgiving spin cycle? My husband and I got back from Peru on Sunday--after traveling for 24 straight hours. Needless to say, I wasn't thinking clearly when I decided to throw my filthy backpack into the washing machine, complete with both of our passports in one of the pockets. Note to self: Sleep, then clean.
I've been researching if they're still valid or not, but the government's site isn't much help. Just check out these FAQs. #7 reads, "How I do I replace my damaged/mutilated passport?" Mutilated, sure. I think we can agree on what that means, but what is "damaged" exactly? One girl's washed passport could be a backpacker's run-of-the-mill documents. For instance, the holograms still work on our passports, but the denim background is kind of separating from the pages. Uncle Sam, does that matter?
I know what you're thinking. Just replace the silly thing for peace of mind. But here's the thing. According to FAQ #7, if my passport is "damaged," I have to apply for a new one as though it's my first passport ever. That means I have to hunt down documents I simply don't have handy, like an official birth certificate with a raised/embossed/multicolored seal (huh?), and go to the passport office IN PERSON. I have a job, pals. I don't have time for that.
So, uh, has anyone else ever washed their passport? Damaged it in another way? We're all frequent travelers here. Let's share the love.
Comments
Jul 17, 2009
Yikes, sorry, I've never washed my passport! But I've definitely seen people use ones that have been through a rinse cycle or two, if that's any consolation.
Passport details scare me. I have two friends who got their expiration dates extended with very unofficial typed messages, and they always get stopped and questioned. And when I went to Tanzania last year, my friend's passport accidentally received two visas, one of which was then voided...border patrol didn't like that much either. Anyway, I'm always afraid I'm going to get arrested on a technicality or by association--so I feel your pain!
Jul 20, 2009
Hi Alison -- it happened to me. I decided to take my chances on a trip to Italy that began with a stop in London. I arrived at the counter at the airport and was promptly told my passport was too damaged and not valid and I would not be allowed to board the plane. After a major freak out, the agents at the British Airways counter at JFK said -- fine, you can get on the flight but you're not going to be allowed to enter the country once you land in London and they are going to put you on the next flight back which you will have to pay for.
Decided to go for it. In the airport, found a store selling crazy glue which helped a bit. I was able to enter the country, and then travel from London to Naples and then Naples to London and back to the U.S. but not without being questioned at every single point extensively. It was scary and made me uneasy every day of our trip we had to go to an airport (which is not a great experience under even the best of circumstances). Once I got back to the States I got a new passport right away. For $100 bucks I never have to worry again. Well-worth the money and effort to gather the proper documents. I would say go get a new passport, stat!
Jul 20, 2009
Bless you guys! This is EXACTLY the info I needed. I think I'm going to try to process it through the mail first as a normal renewal and then see what happens.
I'll update the comments section when I know more!
Jul 30, 2009
My boyfriend jumped into a jacuzzi with his passport in his backpocket and it ended up looking just like that. He traveled with it for a few years with no problems at all. Until airports began scanner passports. We were pulled to the side when we were coming back from Madrid and the airport security questioned him over and over again if he was carrying any drugs. Now he has to get a new one to avoid situations like that.
Aug 06, 2009
My dog ate a brand new passport. Took it to the customs people at SFO as we were leaving for a cruise 6 weeks later and they said it was not going to pass muster. Replace it we did and had to pay for expedited processing to boot.
I beleive that these days, squeaky clean is the only way to go.
Aug 21, 2009
I have an update. It worked!
I, um, ironed my old passport and made it look as good as possible and then processed the renewal via the Internet like a basic renewal (though I still had three more years on my passport).
Luckily, I had the old kind of passport without an RFD chip so the wash didn't destroy it. I don't know if that's why it worked but I suspect so.
Hooray! I'm so glad I didn't have to go down there in person and apply like it's the first time ever!
Feb 05, 2010
im planning to make two trips abroad this year, to poland and a repeat trip to barcalona. A few "helpful" collegues pointed out that my passport looks like a dog has chewed on it.
My response was i have accidentally put it through the wash.
It does have a biometric chip. as its a new passport.
Is it fubar? it doesnt look that bad in all honesty just alittle frayed round the edges.
i am concerned about the chip getting wet and damaged.
F*ckbeans...