A damaged passport is one which the customer cannot use as proof of identity because of its condition. damage or discolouration to any part of the passport caused, for example, by: water. chemical or ink spills.
In most cases, if a passport's appearance has been fundamentally affected, it contains a damaged chip, or has incurred other superficial wear and tear, it will not be accepted as a travel document. Therefore, significant passport damage includes: Water damage. Faded pages.
Damaged passport
There's discolouration of the bio-data page. There's chemical or ink spillage on any page. There are missing or detached pages. The chip or antenna shows through the end paper on the back cover for the new style e-passports.
Damaged or defaced passports are considered invalid and cannot be used for travel purposes. In this situation, you will need to renew your damaged UK passport. If your passport is damaged it is cause for suspicion.
It is important that: There are no tears or cuts in the pages, especially the photo page. Everything on the photo page is legible and clear. There are no marks across your photo or in the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) on the photo page.
In such cases, you would need to apply for a replacement passport as it would be unlikely that any immigration official would accept it as a valid travel document.
If you have a passport with a chip and an NFC enabled phone, you should be able to scan your passport chip. It might not be scanning because: you haven't aligned the NFC reader on your phone with your passport; or. your passport chip might not be working.
You could dry the pages with paper towels as much as possible, then hang it to dry on a string with the pages spread out or separated by bits of paper towel- don't leave them in contact with each other wet or they may stick together. Change the paper towels for dry ones periodically as it dries.
Other windows reveal the antenna for the passport chip, which is embedded in the photo page. The holder's photo appears in colour on the observations page, facing the photo page. Polycarbonate is more durable than laminated paper.
You should consider replacing your passport if: It is torn in any way. The binding has come loose or is frayed. Water damage has resulted in faded pages.
Damaged Passport: A passport where the physical appearance or composition has been changed through ordinary wear or tear, carelessness, or by accidental happenstance (e.g., having been washed, torn, burned in a fire by the applicant or a third party, or mauled by an animal).
An e-Passport contains an electronic chip. The chip holds the same information that is printed on the passport's data page: the holder's name, date of birth, and other biographic information. An e-Passport also contains a biometric identifier.
Many passport covers are made from plastic and those surfaces should be cleaned regularly. Using a disinfectant wipe that is over 60 percent alcohol is a good method.”
You need to book a passport office appointment and pay online. You can book an appointment up to 3 weeks in advance. If you need a passport to travel urgently for medical treatment or because a friend or family member is seriously ill or has died, call the Passport Adviceline instead.
Get to the stain as soon as possible. Combine 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of water in a bowl. Mix them together with a whisk or fork until a paste-like consistency is achieved.
Passports that have water damage can no longer be used and should be replaced. You must apply in person to replace a damaged passport at an acceptance facility or at a passport agency.
If it's just a minor corner you should be fine. But if your whole passport fell into water, you should get a new one.
Humidity and water can harm the pages of your passport. You can travel with a waterproof cover over your passport to better protect it and make sure you store it in a dry, safe environment.
What shows up when immigration scans your passport? Basically, all the info on the printed identity page, possibly your photo. That identity info may then be run through their various databases to find out if you are a wanted person, a felon, or are otherwise inadmissible.
They will open the passport to the page containing your photograph and details such as the passport number. They put the opened passport face down on a scanner which does two things: first it reads some of the text from the open page. This text is the encryption key used to access the chip embedded in your passport.
Slowly slide the mobile device up and down the document until the app recognises the passport chip. When the chip is located, you will see a message saying “Hold still” if using an Android device. For an Apple device, you will see a yellow progress bar in the background, as shown in the second image on the next page.
If you're renewing or replacing a passport
You must bring your old passport to the Post Office if you still have it. If you've changed your name, you'll also need to bring proof of your new name (like a marriage certificate).
If you're renewing your passport using a paper application form, the process takes around 10 weeks from when HM Passport Office receives your old passport and supporting documents.
It costs £82.50 to renew or replace your passport if you apply online or £93 if you fill in a paper form. You must be aged 16 or over (or turning 16 in the next 3 weeks) to get an adult passport. There's a different process to get a passport for a child.