My mom washed my passport
Dec 14, 2006, 1:05 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Posts: 2,159
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8703e/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/104)
I flew through sea this week on my way back from asia. I had a long 14 hour layover so I visited with my parents. When I got to their house my mother being mom wanted to do my carryon laundry. I told her not to worry that I would just do it myself or take it to the cleaners when I got home. While I was asleep she decided to do my laundry including my jeans which had my brand new passport with 48 pages which I got in November. The passport has dried out and everything looks okay. There are not smudges or anything but the cover is seperating from the first page which has my photo on it. It looks kinda cool - weathered and maybe the water messed up the rfid chip. anyway, should I get another or keep this one?
I flew through sea this week on my way back from asia. I had a long 14 hour layover so I visited with my parents. When I got to their house my mother being mom wanted to do my carryon laundry. I told her not to worry that I would just do it myself or take it to the cleaners when I got home. While I was asleep she decided to do my laundry including my jeans which had my brand new passport with 48 pages which I got in November. The passport has dried out and everything looks okay. There are not smudges or anything but the cover is seperating from the first page which has my photo on it. It looks kinda cool - weathered and maybe the water messed up the rfid chip. anyway, should I get another or keep this one?
Dec 14, 2006, 1:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1P MM, SPG Lifetime Gold
Posts: 654
I did the same thing about 10 years ago and recall that all the stamps still had some color to it, though not completely legible.
Pre-9/11, it was never a problem for me and it expired in 2001. I wouldn't bother getting another one.
Pre-9/11, it was never a problem for me and it expired in 2001. I wouldn't bother getting another one.
Dec 14, 2006, 1:14 pm
#3
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: IAD, and sometimes OMNI/PR. Currently: not far from IAD, but home will always be SAN (not far from the "touch my junk and I'll have you arrested" Memorial TSA Check Point) even if I'm not there so much these days.
Programs: UA, CO, Calcifer Award for Mad Haiku Skillz
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Best title I've read for a post in quite a while! 
I'd be interested to learn if/how the RFID was affected.
I'd be interested to learn if/how the RFID was affected.
Dec 14, 2006, 1:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London
Posts: 6,265
Your passport will now be treated as very suspicious by most immigration agents who see it. "Washing" passports can be used to help hide changes to the data pages or to remove stamps that you would prefer that immigration doesn't see.
Best you get it replaced (the passport, not your Mother!)
Best you get it replaced (the passport, not your Mother!)
Dec 14, 2006, 2:06 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UAL 1K
Posts: 203
Your passport will now be treated as very suspicious by most immigration agents who see it. "Washing" passports can be used to help hide changes to the data pages or to remove stamps that you would prefer that immigration doesn't see.
Best you get it replaced (the passport, not your Mother!)
Best you get it replaced (the passport, not your Mother!)
Dec 14, 2006, 2:38 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: I am usually found in YYC or GIG
Programs: UAL Premex
Posts: 1,858
I didn't need my mom to do this......I do my own laundry "and" the wifes, but still........excrement occurs....heh. 
I managed to wash my passport a year ago, and since I have been thru the US about a dozen times and other countries 4-5 times, never had any immigration issues at all, as the page they scan works just fine.
Does kinda look cool too....weathered......
I managed to wash my passport a year ago, and since I have been thru the US about a dozen times and other countries 4-5 times, never had any immigration issues at all, as the page they scan works just fine.
Does kinda look cool too....weathered......
Dec 14, 2006, 4:43 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AMS (SEA, JNB)
Programs: Mucci Reperateur des Coeurs Brises
Posts: 4,107
I also once washed my own passport. Then I dried it. The iron found it.
I brought it to the consulate in Johannesburg and they laughed. It was pretty much a waste; while everything was still legible and readable, it looked so suspicious as to be considered unacceptable. Many pages had torn and easily tore with even light handeling, ink had run and/or faded, the cover was pealing, it was a mess.
I received a new one within two days (the old style where they paste the photo into the second page), and the last page has a big stamp stating "This is a replacement for a mutilated passport."
I brought it to the consulate in Johannesburg and they laughed. It was pretty much a waste; while everything was still legible and readable, it looked so suspicious as to be considered unacceptable. Many pages had torn and easily tore with even light handeling, ink had run and/or faded, the cover was pealing, it was a mess.
I received a new one within two days (the old style where they paste the photo into the second page), and the last page has a big stamp stating "This is a replacement for a mutilated passport."
Sep 29, 2007, 1:49 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: UA 1K, LA, WN, SPG Plat, MR Gold
Posts: 730
I just did this today...I don't travel internationally for 2 months so I'm right at the 2 month cutoff...
The front page is separating and covered with lots of blue dots, but everything is legible...that being said I will probably get it replaced.
However, I have a Brazilian Visa that's good for a few more years...how do I go about getting that transfered? Can I?
The front page is separating and covered with lots of blue dots, but everything is legible...that being said I will probably get it replaced.
However, I have a Brazilian Visa that's good for a few more years...how do I go about getting that transfered? Can I?
Sep 29, 2007, 2:55 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: Advantage, United, Krisflyer, Continental, Delta, Lufthansa, Thai
Posts: 50
I just did this today...I don't travel internationally for 2 months so I'm right at the 2 month cutoff...
The front page is separating and covered with lots of blue dots, but everything is legible...that being said I will probably get it replaced.
However, I have a Brazilian Visa that's good for a few more years...how do I go about getting that transfered? Can I?
The front page is separating and covered with lots of blue dots, but everything is legible...that being said I will probably get it replaced.
However, I have a Brazilian Visa that's good for a few more years...how do I go about getting that transfered? Can I?