Dropped passport in hot tub water... do I renew or replace it?
Jun 25, 2011, 8:54 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 75
Dropped passport in hot tub water... do I renew or replace it?
My US passport fell into a hot tub for a few minutes and came out soaking wet.
It's only a little over a year old.
I'm trying to get a new one. The State Dept's website said that I can "renew" it by mail if the original passport was not damaged. Otherwise, I'll have to submit application in person(i.e. post office).
Does anyone know what their definiition of "damaged" is? Like I said, it only fell in hot tub water for a few minutes and looked fine.... does show sign that the paper dried up.
Thanks!
It's only a little over a year old.
I'm trying to get a new one. The State Dept's website said that I can "renew" it by mail if the original passport was not damaged. Otherwise, I'll have to submit application in person(i.e. post office).
Does anyone know what their definiition of "damaged" is? Like I said, it only fell in hot tub water for a few minutes and looked fine.... does show sign that the paper dried up.
Thanks!
Jun 25, 2011, 10:36 pm
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
From the State Department FAQ's, sounds like you have to reapply, not just renew (though of course it depends on the exact damage, though they do mention water damage)
a:If your passport has been significantly damaged, especially the book cover or the page displaying your personal data and photo, you will need to apply for a new passport. You will need to submit the following in person (See Where to Apply):
The damaged passport
Form DS-11
All documents required by Form DS-11, including citizenship documentation (i.e. birth certificate)
Water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), a hole punch and other injuries may constitute “damage” requiring use of Form DS-11.
Normal wear of a U.S. passport is understandable and likely does not constitute “damage”. For instance, the expected bend of a passport after being carried in your back pocket or fanning of the visa pages after extensive opening and closing. In most cases of normal wear, you may renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82.
Please remember, if you try to renew a significantly damaged passport using Form DS-82, you may be asked by the Passport Agency to apply again using Form DS-11 and incur additional fees.
a:If your passport has been significantly damaged, especially the book cover or the page displaying your personal data and photo, you will need to apply for a new passport. You will need to submit the following in person (See Where to Apply):
The damaged passport
Form DS-11
All documents required by Form DS-11, including citizenship documentation (i.e. birth certificate)
Water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), a hole punch and other injuries may constitute “damage” requiring use of Form DS-11.
Normal wear of a U.S. passport is understandable and likely does not constitute “damage”. For instance, the expected bend of a passport after being carried in your back pocket or fanning of the visa pages after extensive opening and closing. In most cases of normal wear, you may renew your passport by mail using Form DS-82.
Please remember, if you try to renew a significantly damaged passport using Form DS-82, you may be asked by the Passport Agency to apply again using Form DS-11 and incur additional fees.
Jun 26, 2011, 12:32 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: RNO
Posts: 375
My passport has been through an entire wash cycle. Many dozens of immigration officers have never said a word. I have however gotten several stern lectures from assorted rent-a-cops. Including the TSA, but then again the TSA disallowed my US passport as valid ID even before it was washed. (Actually, the TSA/rent-a-cops picking at the laminate has caused more damage than the water. I tend to watch them carefully now and only show when no other ID will suffice)
Jun 26, 2011, 8:16 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 75
No, the hot tub wasn't fine.... 
I got my passport out of the water...
but later that night, someone got too drunk and did a number 2 while sitting
inside the hot tub. (fortunately, everyone else got so drunk as well and never
made it to the hot tub)
I got my passport out of the water... but later that night, someone got too drunk and did a number 2 while sitting
inside the hot tub. (fortunately, everyone else got so drunk as well and never
made it to the hot tub)
Jun 26, 2011, 11:49 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Salish Sea
Programs: DL,AC,HH,PC
Posts: 8,974
.
Jun 26, 2011, 12:20 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 75
I didn't know most of the people in the room.... it was a NYC hotel suite with an in-room 10-person hot tub.... people do strange things at bachlor party's.(not really a bachelor, because the groom's been married three times already.... 
)
)
Jun 26, 2011, 3:15 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2005
Programs: Chick-Fil-A Red, Wawa, Red Cross blood donor
Posts: 4,824
Caddyshack anyone?
Jun 26, 2011, 3:39 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,757
If the laminate page with your information is still in good shape, I wouldn't worry about the rest. If you travel a lot internationally, after a few years your passport will be dog eared, half rolled up, spills and stains, all kinds of stuff. If it is falling apart, then you need to get it replaced. If the photo page is good, and the other pages are physically still well attached to the binding, then I think you're fine.
Look on the bright side - if you haven't already disabled the RFID chip in the cover, then the dousing may have done that for you. When I got my new passport 4 years ago, the first thing I did was take a hammer to the RFID chip to disable it.
Look on the bright side - if you haven't already disabled the RFID chip in the cover, then the dousing may have done that for you. When I got my new passport 4 years ago, the first thing I did was take a hammer to the RFID chip to disable it.
Jun 27, 2011, 2:31 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX AA EXP-3MM, HYT PLAT, SPG PLAT,HLT GLD,LEADERS CLUB
Posts: 1,183
well I can tell you if a customs agent does not like it he will take it and cancel it with a hole puncher and tell you to go get a new one....LOL
This is what happened to me after mine fell apart and was scotched taped back together. I say use it tell someone tells you to go get a new one.
This is what happened to me after mine fell apart and was scotched taped back together. I say use it tell someone tells you to go get a new one.