Short answer
A passport is considered damaged when it has water damage, a torn or unreadable data page, a detached cover or binding, missing pages, or anything that suggests tampering. A damaged passport cannot be renewed by mail: you apply in person on a DS-11, surrender the damaged book and include a signed statement explaining the damage.
What counts as damage
- Water exposure that warps pages or blurs printing.
- A data page that is torn, delaminating, or has an unreadable photo or machine-readable zone.
- A cover separating from the pages, or missing or cut pages.
- Anything written or drawn on the pages by hand, including a child's marks.
- Chips, holes or burns in the electronic chip area of the cover.
How to replace it
- 1Complete a DS-11 but do not sign it until the acceptance agent instructs you to.
- 2Write a short signed statement describing how the damage happened.
- 3Bring the damaged passport itself — it is surrendered and cancelled.
- 4Bring proof of citizenship if the damaged book cannot serve as one, plus a photo ID and photocopies.
- 5Bring one 2x2 in photo taken in the last six months and two separate payments.
If you travel soon
Add the expedite fee, and if your departure is inside 14 days, call for a regional passport agency appointment with your itinerary. A damaged passport is not usable at a border once an airline notices it, so do not plan to travel on it.
Frequently asked
Official sources
PassportOffices.com is an independent resource and is not a U.S. government agency. Official requirements come from the sources below.
- U.S. Department of State — Passport Forms
Official passport application forms
- U.S. Department of State — Passport Fees
All passport fee amounts
- U.S. Department of State — Acceptance Facility Search
Acceptance facility locations and contact details
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