Water damage, a torn identity page, missing pages or a separating cover can make a passport unsuitable for travel. An unexpired date does not make a damaged book acceptable. If the damage is more than ordinary wear, the U.S. replacement route is generally an in-person application using Form DS-11, not a routine DS-82 renewal.
Inspect the book while there is still time to act. Discovering a problem at airline check-in leaves fewer options than finding it when you first book the trip.
Normal wear or a damaged passport?
The State Department distinguishes ordinary wear from damage. Its application guidance lists water damage, mold, stains, significant tears, unofficial markings and missing pages as examples of damage. Minor bends or folded pages can be normal wear.
| What you find | What to do |
|---|---|
| Minor edge wear or a small bend | Check the rest of the book; ordinary wear alone does not necessarily require replacement. |
| Water stains, wrinkled pages or mold | Assess replacement before travel, even if the book has dried. |
| Torn, loose or altered identity page | Do not repair it yourself. Seek replacement instructions. |
| Missing pages or unofficial writing | Treat the issue as more than a cosmetic defect. |
A photograph cannot establish that a passport will be accepted at a border. If you are uncertain about the extent of the damage, explain it to Passport Services before relying on the book.
Read this graphic as text
- Minor wear: Small bends and folded pages can be ordinary wear.
- Water or mold: Drying the book does not reverse water damage.
- Tears or missing pages: Do not glue, tape, erase or repair the document.
- Replacement route: DS-11, damage statement and required evidence.
An unexpired date does not make a damaged document acceptable.
What if your passport went through the washing machine?
Drying it does not reverse water damage. Look for rippling, stains, blurred printing, changes to the identity page and separation around the binding. Do not iron, laminate, glue or tape the passport. Those attempts can introduce additional alterations.
A readable name and photograph are not the only considerations. The passport is a physical security document, and the airline or border authority may identify a problem that is not obvious during a quick check at home.
How to replace a damaged U.S. passport
The State Department’s passport FAQs direct damaged-passport applicants to submit the damaged document, a signed statement explaining its condition and Form DS-11 with the required supporting documents, photo and fees.
- Complete DS-11. Leave the signature blank until the acceptance agent instructs you to sign.
- Prepare the damage statement. Describe what happened and sign it. Do not invent an explanation if you do not know how the damage occurred.
- Gather separate citizenship evidence and identification. A damaged passport may not be usable as citizenship evidence. Bring the documents required for your application rather than assuming the damaged book is enough.
- Get a new passport photo. It must meet the current U.S. photo requirements.
- Choose the submission route that fits your departure. An acceptance facility and an urgent-travel passport agency serve different situations.
Our DS-11 versus DS-82 comparison explains why an otherwise renewable passport can require an in-person application when it is damaged.
Does travel insurance or a valid visa solve the problem?
Neither makes a damaged passport valid for travel. If the passport contains a visa, ask the issuing country how replacement affects that visa. A visa sticker may be damaged too, and permission to carry an old visa alongside a new passport depends on the destination’s rules.
For an overseas loss or damage incident, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Its replacement procedure is different from applying through a domestic acceptance facility.
If your flight is approaching
Tell the provider or passport agency exactly what is wrong with the book and when you leave. A damaged-passport case should not be booked as a straightforward mail renewal simply because that route looks faster on a price list.
Ask 24 Hour Passport & Visas about replacement assistance. We can help identify the application route and document preparation needed for your deadline. Our private service fees are separate from government fees.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a passport with one wet page?
There is no universal “one page is fine” exception. The nature of the damage matters, and a carrier or border authority may refuse the document.
Should I report a damaged passport as lost?
Do not report it lost if it is still in your possession. Follow the damaged-document instructions and submit the book as required.
Can I just renew online?
A damaged passport does not qualify for the normal online renewal route. Start with the official in-person application requirements.
Tell us your destination, departure date and application status. Call first to arrange a visit to our Los Angeles office.
Call (310) 913-7804