Planning a trip only to discover that your passport is damaged, lost, or stolen could stress anyone out! If you’re panicking or aren’t sure what to do next, there is nothing to worry about. This blog will inform you of all the necessary steps to replace your passport.
Damaged Passports
If your passport is damaged, it cannot be used and should be replaced. What exactly is damaged? According to the U.S. Department of State, normal wear and tear do not constitute a damaged passport.
Your passport is damaged if…
- There is any water damage
- A rip or tear appears
- Any visa pages have been torn out
- A hole punch is present
- There is any personal marking or tampering on the personal data page
If your passport is damaged, you must apply for a new one. Those applying for new passports cannot apply by mail and must apply in person at an acceptance facility.
Replacing Your Damaged Passport
If your passport is damaged, you will apply for a new passport using Form DS-11. The Form must be filled out and printed out. Only sign this form with approval from an acceptance facility agent. The agent needs to verify your identity and witness your signature.
You will also need to provide…
- The damaged U.S. Passport
- A Signed statement explaining the damage to the U.S. passport
- Proof of U.S Citizenship ( a photocopy including the front and back of the document)
- Proof of identity (a photocopy including the front and back of the document)
- A passport photo that meets the U.S Department of State’s requirements for passport photos
- Payment: Post Offices will accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for acceptance fees, but you will also need a check or money order written out to the “U.S Department of State” with your application.
You must submit your application in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility to verify your identity. A Passport Acceptance facility is usually a Courthouse, Clerk of Court, Post Office, Library, University, or other municipal building.
A passport acceptance facility search page is on the U.S. Department of State website. The search engine lets you put in your zip code to find a place that does passports near you, it also has phone numbers, operating hours, how to get an appointment (or if walk-ins are acceptable), and it’ll let applicants know if photo services are available on-site.
Lost or Stolen Passports
Before anything else, you must report your passport as lost or stolen to the U.S. Department of State. You can call them at 1-877-487-2778. Once a passport has been reported, it will be invalid for travel, and can no longer be used. Don’t forget to report your passport lost or stolen! You may not know who got their hands on your passport.
Replacing Your Stolen or Lost Passport
If your passport is lost or stolen, you do not have possession of a passport. You will have to apply for a new passport using Form DS-11, as well as a Form DS-64 (Statement regarding lost or stolen passport)
You will also need to provide…
- Proof of U.S Citizenship ( a photocopy including the front and back of the document)
- Proof of identity (a photocopy including the front and back of the document)
- A passport photo that meets the U.S Department of State’s requirements for passport photos
- Payment: Post Offices will accept credit cards, checks, and money orders for acceptance fees, but you will also need a check or money order written out to the “U.S Department of State” with your application.
You must submit your application in person at a Passport Acceptance Facility to verify your identity. A passport acceptance facility search page is on the U.S. Department of State website.
Losing Other Necessary Documents
If your birth certificate is lost, you can get a new one from vitalchek.com, or at the office of vital statistics/courthouse in the county you were born in. This takes around 10 days, depending on where you were born, except for New York, where you must go in person to get a new one.
If you lost your naturalization certificate, you can get a new one through the department of immigration. This process takes about six months.
If you cannot obtain a new birth certificate or naturalization certificate but have had a passport in the past, you can pay an extra $150 to do a file search when submitting your application. This waves the requirement to submit proof of citizenship, this usually works but doesn’t always work depending on how old the passport issued was. (If you have a photocopy of your last passport, this is guaranteed to work)
Finding a Lost U.S. Passport
On the contrary, if you find a U.S. Passport in the United States, mail the passport to the U.S. Department of State’s Consular Lost and Stolen Passport Unit, or CLASP. If you find a U.S. passport while abroad, return the passport to the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.
If You Need Your Passport Expedited
Your application process may change if you need a same-day or expedited passport.
The US Department of State is where you can get a Same-day passport, but it is only available to those traveling within 14 days. One must call for an appointment, and walk-in service is not available. Because of limited availability, you will not be guaranteed an appointment. There are only twenty-six U.S. locations, so you may have yet to have one in your state.
If you are looking for a passport near you and need it expedited, consider using a private courier. Couriers like The Passport Office can rush the passport process as fast as three to five days! Apply at The Passport Office today for your expedited passport in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, or Hollywood.
