What To Do When You Have A Damaged Passport

The DS-11 form that you have to fill out is available online at the State Department's website. You can go onto their site and complete the form and once it is complete you can print it out with all of your information intact.

Do not sign this form until you standing in front of a certified official, either at a passport agency or an Acceptance Agency. It will do you no good if you sign it before you are in the presence of an official, you will just have to fill out another form. Be advised that once you have filled out this application it can only be submitted to the State Department within five days of the date on the application.

Another form you must provide is the DS-64; this is a declaration of a lost, stolen or damaged passport. This paper application must be completed with accuracy. It will ask you why and how passport was damaged. You have to provide a detailed account of how your passport was damaged.

You will also have to have on hand proof of US citizenship, with a US birth certificate or documentation from the USCIS of citizenship or naturalization. Two photos for your passport are required, set to the standard of the Department of State (2 inch x 2 inch) against a plain white background. The photos cannot be more than six months old.

If you require replacement of your damaged passport quickly, such as in less than two weeks, you have to show evidence that you are traveling within this time frame as well. You will have to provide an itinerary of travel. In addition to this paperwork, you will be charged a number of fees, depending on your situation. There is one fee you can depend on and that is the $135.00 State Department processing charge. You can pay your fees with a check or money order made out to the Department of State. If you are filing in person at a passport agency you will have the opportunity to pay with a credit card.

Even if you are vacationing or residing outside of the United States and your passport is damaged, you have to contact your US embassy or Consulate in the country you are visiting. There are no exceptions for the documents; you have to meet the requirements even if you are outside of the States. You will still have to complete the DS-11 and the DS-64, however, some questions will not be valid in your case so you will just have to provide an N/A response while answering the rest of the questions.

Verification of your US citizenship has to be made available through a birth certificate or a notice of citizenship or naturalization certificate from the USCIS. You will also need legitimate identification; your social security number, as well as the damaged passport which has to be presented at the time of filing for a replacement. Copy all of the passport documents submitted in order to protect yourself against any mishaps.