If you are planning an international trip and your passport’s condition is questionable, you may want to have it replaced. You do not want to be stuck in a foreign country unable to prove your American citizenship, and this may very well happen with a damaged passport. You should take precautions in order to prevent any unnecessary mishaps while traveling internationally.
You will have to complete a DS-11 form which is an Application for U. S. Passport declaration. You can find this form on the U. S. Department of State’s official website. Once you have found this form you can type in your information directly onto it. Once you have completed the form you can print it out.
Make sure NOT to sign the form until you at the regional passport agency near your city in front of an official or at an Acceptance Agency with the agent’s go-ahead. It will be considered null and void if signed without an official witness. Once you have printed out this form, be aware it is only good for five business days after the date you filled it in.
The DS-64 is another official document that has to be filled out. This is an official statement to verify why and how your passport became damaged. You will have to provide detailed information as to what caused a damaged passport.
You will also have to have on hand proof of US citizenship, with a US birth certificate or documentation from the USCIS of citizenship or naturalization. Two photos for your passport are required, set to the standard of the Department of State (2 inch x 2 inch) against a plain white background. The photos cannot be more than six months old.
If you are traveling within 14 days and need an expedited passport you will have to provide proof of travel, such as an airline ticket or a travel itinerary. The State Department requires a processing fee of $135.00. This can be paid with a check, money order, or if visiting a regional passport agency directly you may use your Visa or MasterCard. If using a check or money order it must be made out to the U. S. Department of State. Other fees may be applicable depending on your circumstances.
Even if you are vacationing or residing outside of the United States and your passport is damaged, you have to contact your US embassy or Consulate in the country you are visiting. There are no exceptions for the documents; you have to meet the requirements even if you are outside of the States. You will still have to complete the DS-11 and the DS-64, however, some questions will not be valid in your case so you will just have to provide an N/A response while answering the rest of the questions.
Other passport documentation you will have to provide is verification of US nationality, two standard passport photos, current ID, social security number; and your damaged USA passport has to be present so it can be taken in turn for a replacement. In order to safeguard yourself from accidents make sure you copy all of your paperwork that you submit.
