Passport Problem
 

Hey,

I am planning on going to the States in January flying in to Boston from London Heathrow. Now my problem is that my passport recently went through the washing machine. I have tried looking around websites if to this this classifys as damaged. My photo is still veiwable and the lamanint has stayed stuck down. The only things that have come off is the Gold Emblem on the front of my passport and the stamps I've had put in it one previous trips to the States. I am wondering, should I apply for a new passport, or is this still considered good condition since my information is still readable?...

Thanks.

If your passport is close to expiring, I would go ahead and get it renewed since you have some time... why take the chance that it will not be accepted?

The gold emblem on mine wore off early on... and never had a problem.

I am sure they are more concerned with the picture and seal.

GOOD LUCK.

Nah, I only got it back in 2002 so its still got another 6 years on it. So it should be ok then? :)

Long ago I travelled on a US passport that the lettering on the front had utterly worn off and many of the stamps inside had blurred beyond readability. It wasn't the result of a wash machine but simply the result of always keeping it with me while travelling through tropical areas.

It didn't give any trouble.

Too funny, I did the exact same thing a few months ago. The blue from the passport cover bled through to the picture page and made it very difficult to read and probably no longer machine readable. Since I travel to Israel alot, I figured I should replace it as they can be extremely picky about those entering their country (especially now). State Dept. wouldn't allow a normal renewal, I actually had to go a post-office in person sign an attestation letter stating how I ruined the original. I was basically applying for a completely new passport. I got the new one last week.

Question: I booked an LH flight to TLV before I got the new passport # and I can't remember if they asked for my passport number during the booking. The new passport has a new number, do I need to call LH to give them the new number or can I wait 'til day of the flight?

Waiting until check-in on day of flight is fine. But there is no harm in having it updated in advance either other than your time on the phone and a cost of a call.

In my experience, depends on the individual agent as to whether or not they will make it a big deal. I travel internationally quite frequently (150000 miles on already purchased tickets this year) from the USA to Europe and Far East. Although my passport had to be modified with the addition of supplemental pages, never a problem until once, about 6 months ago upon return to ORD, an agent stated that the laminate in the corner close to the photo was "breached". After a consult with a supervisor, inspection with magnifying glasses, etc. I was allowed to re-enter but admonished that I must immediatly acquire a new passport.

Well, after many additional trips in and out of US, no problems...yet. (I am just reluctant to pay for a new passport and go to the time/trouble/effort to get a new one when I still have two years to expiration. However, I recognize the risk and carry a second, cancelled US passport as sort of a back-up in the event some agent demands I prove who I am, where I have been, etc. ( This passport was cancelled in June, 1998 when I received my now current one.)

On my previous passport I had problems in certain countries with the "extra" pages added, but on this latest I've had no problems.

I now use a passport holder to keep it in pristene shape - thank you business class gift on Singapore Airlines!

Years ago (pre 9/11), I did the same thing with mine (Canadian). I never had a problem using it at border crossings, though its tattered appearance usually did provoke a number of amused expressions from bored immigrations officials. :)

I'd get yours renewed, though. These days, why would you want to attract heightened interest to yourself, no matter how innocent the cause?

There is no problem to check in with a different passport, especially if the old one have expired ... :D - there is no need to update them.

Sorry, apirchik, I did not understand your reply. Please clarify.
Thanks

Easy. He just meant that it is irrelevant what they have in the comp before you check-in, since they have to scan/manually enter your passport details anyway, and the new info will just override the old info.

How long is it taking to receive renewal passport in mail?

I have a Nyquil stain on my passport that has been there for about 5 years. I've been to at least 60 countries with this passport and no one has ever had a problem with it. I also had pages added in LA without a problem. Today I took it to the US Consulate in Shanghai to get more pages added and they refused, saying it was damaged. Grrrr. Next I try the Consulate in Paris. I expect they won't have a problem.

Exactly. Even, if they forward your info in advance, you are still the same person as the one in the old passport. It should not make any difference.