Huge Problem HELP! (damaged passport while abroad)
 

Ok. I am an American living in Turkey. My passport got wet and the plastic has seperated from the side of my passport next to my picture. I am going home in less than a month. I am going home to take care of my taxes which I didnt know that I have to do. After I do my taxes I need a name change because I got married here. They give your SSN# The the IRS when you need a new passport. I wanted to take care of the taxes before they came to me (They are easier on you that way). The name on my ticket is my old name and if I get a new passport the names wont be the same. Its a huge mess. What are the chances they will let me return to the US with this damaged passport and I can get a new one there after I take care of the IRS?

Welcome to FlyerTalk!!

If I understand correctly you're concerned about going to get a replacement passport because you're worried about the IRS finding out. Is that correct? The IRS is going to figure out that you messed up your taxes eventually, so I wouldn't worry too much about that, and I do not think that they can deny you a replacement passport for failure to pay.

When I had an old laminated/glued-on picture passport the cover page similarly started pulling apart and one or two agents said something to me, but explaining that it got wet and damaged got me through anyways. But I replaced that passport 2+ years ago so I have no idea how strict they are about that these days.

I'd pay the extra $100 or whatever to get a replacement now and then another replacement after you change your name.

Any recommendations for Turkey? I'm going for a week at the end of the summer. :D

It depends.... do you want to go to where the tourists go?

Can I keep using my old name on a new passport even if my name has changed?

If your tax situation is simple, it might be an idea to download TurboTax from their website and either just submit your taxes electronically from home (TK) or apply for an extension. That way, you might have some time to get the passport issued in your new name.

Its been 7 years since I filed. The last 6 arent important because I didnt work the the first year I didnt file is complicated.

I'm confused on the name change bit. In the original post you mention that you need to do a name change after you file your taxes so I didn't think you had actually changed it yet with the US or state governments. If you have to get the new passport issued in the new name you should get to keep the old one. You also can try calling the airline to see if they'll change it for you, though chances of that are lower than not.

And we're looking for 3-4 days of stuff to do not in IST. We were thinking of heading in to the north central Anatolia region to see some of the ancient ruins but aren't sure since the infrastructure there seems rather limited.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappadocia
try here. Its a tourist spot so most people speak english

On the passport form the ask about other names you have used and if you are married etc. I am thinking lying would be a bad idea.

I understand not wanting to lie, but I still can't figure out which jurisdictions you've actually changed your name in. If you've only changed it in Turkey but not in the US then I would think that you really still have your old name as far as the feds are concerned.

My name change has only happened here. There is just something about signing a government paper stating that all facts are true etc. when they arent. It makes my hands sweat.

I assume that the form you are referring to is the DS-64 or the DS-82. In both cases there is a place where you need to indicate that your name has changed due to marriage, but I have no idea if the State Department considers marriage in a foreign country as sufficient grounds for a name change or not. Looking at this page from the embassy it looks like if you got married legally in Turkey the Feds probably already know about your name change, so that could make things harder. At this point I think you'll have to call the embassy and get an answer there as to how to approach the name change situation. If they invalidate the passport and let you retain possession of it (which they normally do when it is invalidated) you might be able to check in with the old one and clear immigration and customs on arrival with the new one, since they don't look at your ticket at that point. But the airline may give you trouble trying to check in with an invalid passport and refuse to carry you.

So after all this I'm not so sure I actually gave you any useful information. Sorry.

Thanks for the Cappadocia suggestion. Looks like the same type of stuff we were looking for but with a bit more infrastructure to support it. Quite helpful. ^

Taxes cant hold you from getting replacement passport
 

Taxes can't hold you from getting a replacement passport.
I've sent you a PM (Private message) on that issue.

As for the replacement US passport--

Get your replacement passport in your new name;
have old passport ready to surrender and other supporting documentation such as marriage license available...doubt they'll aske for birth certificate, but can't hurt to have it at hand) -- US dept of State will cancel your old passport and issue the replacement in your married name.

Contact one of the following for help and to explain your situation.--

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara is located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, tel.: (90) (312) 455-5555, fax (90)(312) 468-6131. Visa information is also available at (90) (212) 344-4444.

The web site is http://turkey.usembassy.gov/. Non-emergency e-mail messages about consular matters may be sent through the web site.

The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul is located at Kaplicalar Mevkii Sokak No. 2, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, tel.: (90) (212) 335-9000, fax (90) (212) 335-9102.

Istanbul-specific information can also be accessed via the Consulate General's web site http://istanbul.usconsulate.gov/. Non-emergency e-mail messages about consular matters may be sent to email: [email protected].


The U.S. Consulate in Adana is located at Girne Bulvari No. 212, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana, Turkey. Tel: (90) (322) 346-6262, fax (90) (322) 346-7916. General information can be accessed at the Consulate’s web site at http://adana.usconsulate.gov.

The U.S. Consular Agent in Izmir can be contacted at (90) (232) 464-8755.


The main U.S. Dept of State website is at:
http://travel.state.gov/

The only issue I can foresee with this is if the ticket is already issued in the old name. That could be a problem with the airline that might make it hard to use the ticket.

You have never called a US Consulate for anything, have you? Well, they are not really kown for picking up the phone, and when they do, they are not really known for their friendly, helpful attitude.

All embassy or consulate staff (such as telephone operators etc are not necessarily US citizens, but rather locals in the employment of the facility so that may well account for your bad experiences.

Never had a problem when I called, and better yet visited in person; then of course, I didn't speak to low-level staff, nor did I on visits ever need an appointment at any hour of the day or night.

And, no I do not work for the US State Department.

Rather much better than that. :D

Oh, and NO, I'm not CIA either. Nor am I "James Bond 007" anything.

That junk is strictly for the movies.

Have you tried to repair the passport yourself?

This is merely a suggestion:
1. Place the picture page of the passport face up on an ironing board.
2. Place a piece of cloth (such as an old towel or hanky) over the photo page.
3. Take an iron (on a low heat setting) and place it on top of the cloth.
4. See if you can fuse it back down.

You might want to try this on something else before doing it on your passport. If all else fails, the US embassy / consuls in Turkey can get you a replacement passport for your journey to the US.