Is it legal for a US citizen to put US passport inside an EU nation passport cover?

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Mar 20, 2016, 10:08 am

#16

LondonElite

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Quote:

Originally Posted by standard

I do something similar all the time. I use a leather passport cover of another country in the hopes that if there is a hijacking (rare now, bombs are more common), I would be released. I think a French cover wouldn't help. Countries that may help are Japan, India, South Africa, Brazil, etc.

Are you expecting to be hijacked by extremely stupid terrorists?

Mar 20, 2016, 1:41 pm

#17

GUWonder

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cbn42

There's no such thing as a European passport. EU countries simply put the words "European Union" on their passports, and use the same color.

There is an EU passport of sort but it's like the UN's laissez-passer and goes by that name despite functioning largely like a passport for a select set of EU officials working for the EC at least. These EU international travel docs are in some ways better and in some ways worse than passports issued by some EU nation-states.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LondonElite

Are you expecting to be hijacked by extremely stupid terrorists?

Being hijacked by stupid terrorists has happened before.

Mar 20, 2016, 7:34 pm

#18

CX HK

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With regards to the legality issue, I am no lawyer, but I would assume that if there is no illegal intent -- as in, you are not trying to mislead anyone that you are a French citizen -- then simply remove the cover when you go through immigration, and you can keep it on normally with no issues.

Mar 28, 2016, 9:51 am

#19

mre5765

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I thought it was well understood that the passport should be handed to the passport control officer absent the passport cover.

Some passport control officers won't care, some will go through the drama of removing the cover, and some will abuse the traveler.

Why seek conflict?

By all means, carry your passport in a cover of another country. Sealand seems perfect. But remove it before handing to anyone that needs to scan the passport in a machine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by alphaod

I swear the only people who use passport covers are people that don't fly a lot. Just my observation.

I use them to reduce the chance of damage to my passport. If my passport has any damage, I won't be able to renew it.

Mar 29, 2016, 10:35 am

#20

CX HK

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mre5765

I use them to reduce the chance of damage to my passport. If my passport has any damage, I won't be able to renew it.

How so? I have heard of passports not being valid anymore given too much damage but never not being able to be renewed.

Mar 29, 2016, 11:00 am

#21

GUWonder

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CX HK

How so? I have heard of passports not being valid anymore given too much damage but never not being able to be renewed.

Some countries have a separate renewal application that applies for non-damaged passports and/or passports that aren't expired by "too long". Otherwise it's an application as if "new".

Mar 29, 2016, 12:30 pm

#22

Slobodansm

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Quote:

Originally Posted by weltfrieden

Is it illegal for a US citizen to put his/her US passport in a French passport cover?

I was browsing for a new passport cover and saw this on Amazon. The seller even has Mexican, Italian, German, British, Canadian, and others....
Amazon.com: France Passport Cover Genuine Leather Passport Holder Travel Wallet REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE (Burgundy): Clothing

Customs officer will open your passport to the ID page since no custom officer is that mentally impaired (although there are some fine specimen out there) so as to believe what the cover says. And what is the difference between having French passport cover and one of those shine-bright-like-a-diamond Victoria Secret passport cover? Maybe they will think you are not as good looking as a VS model and that will rise suspicion of your identity? My sister has one of those and she has never took the passport out of its cover for the sake of a customs officer.

Of course if there is strict announcement to have the passport taken out of its cover, then do so. Otherwise, I wouldn't stress out about it at all.

Safe travels!

Mar 30, 2016, 2:28 am

#23

CX HK

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Slobodansm

Customs officer will open your passport to the ID page since no custom officer is that mentally impaired (although there are some fine specimen out there) so as to believe what the cover says.

Actually some Schengen Zone customs agents merely wave people with EU passports through (at least they used to) -- certainly, one could get lucky and get through.

The hope is that now security and scrutiny have been stepped up a little.

Mar 30, 2016, 4:22 am

#24

LondonElite

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The customs agents are not interested in your passport, and won't see it (or its cover) unless you are selected for a search.

Apr 18, 2017, 8:40 pm