Acceptance of a damaged passport
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: London/Oxford
Programs: BAEC Gold / ITA Volare Executive
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Acceptance of a damaged passport
Morning All!
Only slightly off topic for the board - the flights are with BA
My travel partner for a trip to Naples on the 19th has ripped the top corner of her passport photo page, does anybody have experience in whether this will stop her getting through customs at either end?
Obviously there is time to replace, but it's a cost she'd rather avoid until January is out of the way...
Cheers,
Ben
Only slightly off topic for the board - the flights are with BA
My travel partner for a trip to Naples on the 19th has ripped the top corner of her passport photo page, does anybody have experience in whether this will stop her getting through customs at either end?
Obviously there is time to replace, but it's a cost she'd rather avoid until January is out of the way...
Cheers,
Ben
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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I'm one of those who tends to advertise a relaxed approach to travel problems, but I think this is a rip too far, given it impinges, or very nearly impinges, the photo. Quite why we went for this design I will never know, at least it will change (again) in a few weeks time but I fear it will still just be a flimsy sheet.
In terms of Freedom of Movement, this is still OK, and the Border Force would allow her back in, and I suspect the Italian Guardia would tut but allow entry eventually. However I doubt any airline would be convinced on this and will take a harder line - there's no incentive on them to take on borderline cases since they could theoretically get fined (but won't in this circumstance). Hopefully you have time to get a replacement. Since this will be hanging over you until resolved you may as well sort it out now.
In terms of Freedom of Movement, this is still OK, and the Border Force would allow her back in, and I suspect the Italian Guardia would tut but allow entry eventually. However I doubt any airline would be convinced on this and will take a harder line - there's no incentive on them to take on borderline cases since they could theoretically get fined (but won't in this circumstance). Hopefully you have time to get a replacement. Since this will be hanging over you until resolved you may as well sort it out now.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: The North
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The second thing I noticed is that after only a few weeks and minimal travel (4-5 flights), the gold crest began to rub off from being my pocket. As the previous one had lasted 10 years and a lot more travel with no damage whatsoever to the cover, I wasn't impressed!
c-w-s - I didn't realise we were changing again so soon? Or are you referring to the post-Brexit situation, where the most pressing order of business appears to be Blue passports…
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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The design is changed every 5 years anyway, to keep fraudsters on the hop, but yes, the new dark blue UK passport is due out from next month (approx) regardless of what else happens.
#6
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Interesting, as I was unaware of this potential problem. Our passports (issued Feb 11) have all the important stuff in a heavy plasticised page at the end of the document.
#7
Join Date: Mar 2017
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Might have to protest replace mine imminently then - it has stopped operating at any of the UK [fak]eGates anyway.
#8
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland
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My last passport had a peel on the corner of the photo page which was not noticed by me until a check-in agent noticed it. I was doing weekly NCL-AMS commutes back then (seems a long time ago now) and initially the AMS passport control didn't like it but said "get it fixed", and the NCL BA desk (which was BA staffed then) did mention it *may* cause issues. UK border prodded and poked it (and perhaps deliberately making it worse by peeling further) and said I should renew. This went on for about two months before I accidentally washed my passport in a washing machine.
The assumption given to me was that the photo could have been changed to someone else's photo.
Yours shows a tear right into the photo, I wouldn't fancy my chances at all. Get it renewed.
Edit: As the photo itself "could" have been tampered with, a fast renewal may not be possible, it may take as long as a new passport - do check on this as procedures may have changed since I had to change my passport.
The assumption given to me was that the photo could have been changed to someone else's photo.
Yours shows a tear right into the photo, I wouldn't fancy my chances at all. Get it renewed.
Edit: As the photo itself "could" have been tampered with, a fast renewal may not be possible, it may take as long as a new passport - do check on this as procedures may have changed since I had to change my passport.
Last edited by Stez; Jan 2, 2019 at 5:54 am
#9
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OP - no chance. An ex learned this lesson the hard way, forfeiting a very expensive MH ticket as a result.
#10
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It is all about risk tolerance. If turned away, what is Plan B and what does that cost? Or, if not turned away, but one encounters Italian authorities having a "bad" day and is pulled aside for an hour or two?
#12
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https://www.gov.uk/government/news/b...-after-eu-exit
O/T we (well the Government) have always had the right to chose the colour of the passport. There isn't any requirement for them to be burgundy.
Last edited by UKtravelbear; Jan 2, 2019 at 6:13 am
#13
Join Date: May 2012
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https://www.gov.uk/government/public...no-brexit-deal
I'm asking as my husband is very keen to keep a burgundy passport that says EU for as long as possible (obviously the fact is says EU won't mean anything, but as a point of principle he doesn't want to lose this and certainly does not want a blue one) so was going to renew before 29 March, but had intended to leave it until we come back from a trip on 4 March to retain maximum validity. However if there's a danger of the blue ones coming in sooner I will tell him to do it now by fast track so he has it back before our next flight on 2 February.
#14
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An on checking my previous passports the photo / details page has been
Passport 1 - issued 1990 - on the very back page of the passport
Passport 2 - issued 2001 - last inside page - laminated but not stiff
Passport 3 - issued 2010 - inside last page - laminated but stiff
Passport 1 - issued 1990 - on the very back page of the passport
Passport 2 - issued 2001 - last inside page - laminated but not stiff
Passport 3 - issued 2010 - inside last page - laminated but stiff
#15
Join Date: Sep 2013
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In answer to the OP, I would get that replaced- I would say it's likely to cause a fair few problems. Yes you will probably be allowed through/on board eventually, but assuming there is time to get it replaced before the next trip, I would prefer peace of mind.