Damaged U.S. Passport Replacement: What to Submit and When to Apply in Person

• A damaged U.S. passport generally must be replaced in person with Form DS-11, the damaged passport, a signed explanation, supporting documents, a photo, and fees.
• Water damage, mold, stains, significant tears, unofficial markings, or missing pages can create travel problems; ordinary wear and tear usually does not require replacement.
• Routine processing currently takes 4–6 weeks, while expedited service takes 2–3 weeks, not including mailing time. Urgent travelers may qualify for a passport agency appointment within 14 calendar days of international travel.

Do you need to replace a damaged U.S. passport?

If your passport has more than ordinary wear and tear, replacing it before an international trip is the safest choice. Airlines may deny boarding, and foreign border officials may question or refuse a passport that is damaged enough to affect its pages, cover, personal information, or security features.

The U.S. Department of State specifically identifies water damage, mold, stains, significant tears, unofficial markings, and missing pages as examples of passport damage. A passport with mild creasing, small scuffs, or other normal signs of use generally does not need to be replaced.

When in doubt, don’t rely only on whether the passport still scans. A document can look usable to you but still be rejected by an airline or immigration officer.

Which form is used for a damaged passport?

For a damaged or mutilated U.S. passport, adults generally apply in person using Form DS-11. This is true even if you would normally qualify to renew by mail or online. A damaged passport is not treated like a routine renewal.

You should not sign Form DS-11 until the passport acceptance agent tells you to do so. The agent will review your identity documents, administer the required oath, and witness your signature.

Damaged passport replacement checklist

Prepare the following items before your appointment:

• The damaged passport. Bring the original document, even if pages are torn or the cover is badly damaged.
• A signed statement explaining the damage. Describe what happened and identify the parts of the passport that were affected. Keep the explanation factual and specific.
• Form DS-11. Complete the form using the official form-filler or a paper version, then print it single-sided on standard letter-size paper.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship. Depending on your situation, this may include a certified U.S. birth certificate, a previous full-validity U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or a certificate of naturalization or citizenship.
• Photo identification and photocopies. Bring your original acceptable photo ID and a photocopy of the front and back. If your ID is issued by a different state from where you apply, you may need a second form of identification.
• One passport photo. Follow the Department of State’s current photo rules. Do not attach or staple the photo to a DS-11 unless the acceptance agent instructs you to do so.
• Payment. Check both the passport application fee and the separate facility acceptance fee before your appointment.

Bring original citizenship evidence when required, along with photocopies. The acceptance facility generally sends the original documents with the application and returns them separately from the new passport.

Where to submit the application

Most applicants replace a damaged passport at an authorized passport acceptance facility, such as a participating post office, library, court clerk’s office, or local government office. Many facilities require appointments, so check the location’s instructions before visiting.

Acceptance facilities handle in-person DS-11 applications but do not decide whether your damaged passport will be issued. The Department of State reviews the application and supporting documents.

Current fees for a damaged U.S. passport

Because a damaged passport replacement uses Form DS-11, an adult applying for a passport book normally pays two separate fees:

Children under 16 also apply in person. The current Department of State fee is $100 for a child passport book, plus the $35 acceptance fee. A passport card costs $15, or $115 for a book and card together, before the acceptance fee.

The expedited service fee is currently $60 per application. You may also be able to pay $23.36 for 1–3 day delivery of an issued passport book to a U.S. mailing address. That delivery option does not speed up the government’s processing time.

Fees can change, and payment methods vary by location. Confirm the amount and payment instructions before your appointment.

How long does damaged passport replacement take?

Current Department of State processing estimates are:

• Routine service: 4–6 weeks
• Expedited service: 2–3 weeks
• Mailing time: up to about 2 weeks each way, depending on how you submit and receive the documents

Processing estimates begin after the application reaches the Department of State and do not include all mailing time. If the agency requests more information, the application may take longer.

If you have already applied, keep the application locator number and monitor your email for updates. You can check the application status online after the application has entered the system.

What if you’re traveling soon?

If your international departure is within 14 calendar days, you may qualify for an appointment at a passport agency or center. Appointments are required, and the Department of State does not guarantee that one will be available.

You’ll need proof of international travel, such as an airline itinerary or another accepted travel document. Bring the same damaged-passport replacement materials required for a regular DS-11 application, including the damaged passport and signed explanation.

Passport agencies and centers are different from local acceptance facilities. They are intended for urgent travel and other qualifying situations, not as a general walk-in replacement service.

Common mistakes to avoid

Trying to renew online

Online renewal is not the usual route for a damaged passport. If the passport is damaged, use the in-person DS-11 process unless the Department of State gives you different instructions for a special situation.

Submitting only a photocopy

The damaged passport itself is part of the replacement submission. Bring the original document rather than only a scan or photocopy.

Writing a vague explanation

“Passport damaged” is less useful than a short explanation describing the event and the affected pages. For example, explain whether the passport was exposed to water, torn, marked, stained, or missing pages.

Waiting until the day before departure

Even an urgent appointment does not guarantee same-day issuance. If your passport is questionable, start the replacement process before booking nonrefundable travel whenever possible.

Paying a third party for an appointment

The Department of State does not charge a fee simply to make a passport agency appointment. Be cautious of websites that look government-affiliated or ask for payment to access the official appointment system.

What to do next

Compare the passport’s condition with the Department of State’s examples of serious damage. If it has water damage, mold, stains, significant tears, unofficial markings, or missing pages, gather the original passport and supporting documents, complete Form DS-11 without signing it, and locate an authorized acceptance facility. If you travel internationally within 14 calendar days, use the passport agency appointment process instead of waiting for routine processing.

Helpful Links

• Passport Services FAQ – Verify the Department of State’s guidance about damaged and mutilated passports, including examples of damage and required documents.
• Where to Apply for a U.S. Passport – Find an authorized acceptance facility or determine whether a passport agency is appropriate for urgent travel.
• Passport Fees – Check current passport, acceptance, expedited-service, and delivery fees before submitting an application.
• Get Your Processing Time – Review current routine and expedited processing estimates and check application status.
• Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency – Review eligibility and appointment steps for international travel within 14 calendar days.
• U.S. Passport Fee Calculator and Form Guide – Official page referenced in the article.
• U.S. Passport Application (Form DS-11) – Official page referenced in the article.
• Find U.S. Embassies and Consulates – Official page referenced in the article.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I travel with a damaged U.S. passport?

A. You may encounter problems even if the passport is still valid. Airlines can deny boarding, and foreign authorities may reject a passport with serious damage. If it has water damage, mold, stains, significant tears, unofficial markings, or missing pages, replace it before traveling.

Q. Can I replace a damaged passport by mail?

A. Usually not. A damaged passport generally requires an in-person application using Form DS-11, even when you might otherwise qualify for renewal by mail or online.

Q. Do I need Form DS-64 for a damaged passport?

A. Form DS-64 is used to report a lost or stolen passport. A damaged passport replacement normally requires the damaged passport and a signed statement explaining the damage instead. If the passport is also lost or stolen, follow the separate lost-or-stolen passport instructions.

Q. What happens to my damaged passport after I apply?

A. The damaged passport is submitted with the application for review. Your original citizenship and identification documents are generally returned separately from the newly issued passport.

Q. What if my passport was damaged while I was outside the United States?

A. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for instructions before attempting to travel. Overseas passport procedures can differ from the domestic DS-11 process, especially when travel is urgent. Find a U.S. embassy or consulate ↗