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ItsEasy & Passport Renewals

Damaged Passports

Damaged US passports must be replaced in order to travel. If you have a washed passport or water damaged passport or your passport is torn, ripped, or falling apart, you will need to replace the passport prior to travel. Damaged passports or even totally mutilated passports can be replaced quickly by following our Damaged Passport Replacement instructions.

Washed Passport

Passports that appear to be damaged can cause long delays at border crossings because once the passport is damaged, it is difficult to for the immigration agent to verify if the holder of the damaged passport is who they say they are. In cases where there the passport damages affects the front cover causing a separation with the information page containing the passport picture, the agent may suspect that the original picture has been removed and replaced. The biggest fear with damaged passports is that they have been altered.
Replace Damaged Passport

Mutilated US Passports

The US State Dept does not want damaged passports out in the open due to the fact that they may be thrown out. The government wants damaged US passports replaced properly by turning in the damaged passport with a new passport application and receiving a replacement passport. In this way, the US State Department may properly dispose of the damaged passport.
Replace Mutiliated Passport
When the replacement passport is issued, a notation will be written on the amendment page of the replacement passport indicating that the replacement passport is a replacement for a damaged passport.

Replace Damaged Passport!

Related Passport Information Pages

Passport Name Change, Passport Application, Second Passport, Replace Lost Passport, Get Passport in a Hurry, Renew Passport Fast

Sample Requirements For Replace Damaged Passport

Below is a sample set of requirements for obtaining the Replace Damaged Passport Service. These requirements are only a SAMPLE. To get the EXACT requirements for your passport needs, please go to our TripBuilder page and enter in your specific information that is your exact situation.

US Replace Damaged Passport Requirements

Prerequisites for Replace Damaged Passport

(if the below criteria are not met, please select a different passport service above)

  • Applicant is a US citizen over 16 years old AND;
  • Applicant has damaged US passport in his or her possession

1.1  Process Overview

An Acceptance Agent is a government employee who will verify the identity of the applicant.

Acceptance Agents are available at most Post Offices and Court Houses.

Applicant must indicate that he/she is using a hand carry service to process their new passport application. Acceptance Agent will have the applicant sign the new passport application, seal documents in an envelope and return the sealed envelope to the applicant.

Sealed envelope with new passport application is delivered to ItsEasy for processing.

1.2  Damaged Passport

Applicant must submit damaged passport. Damaged passport will not be returned.

1.3  Proof of Citizenship

To replace a lost or stolen passport, applicant must bring an original or certified copy of a birth certificate, naturalization papers or old passport.

Birth certificates must show applicant and parent(s) full names - "short form" birth certificates may not be acceptable.

1.4  Proof of Identification

Applicant must have a driver's license or state-issued identification issued more than six months ago to apply for a new passport. Official government or military picture identification is acceptable.

1.5  Passport Photos - Complimentary

Applicant must submit two identical, 2"x2", color, passport-style photographs.
ItsEasy.com is proud to exclusively offer COMPLIMENTARY passport photos through our 5-star smartphone app.
Search "ItsEasy" in the Apple App Store or Google Play. Ask for details!

Passport photos may also be obtained for $15-$25 plus time spent at many post offices and stores around town.

NOTE: Photos must be printed on photo paper. Letter or glossy paper will not be accepted.

1.6  Proof of Travel

Applicant must submit a computer-generated itinerary from a travel agency or online booking tool (such as an e-confirmation) showing departure from the U.S.

Print two copies. Provide one copy to the Acceptance Agent to be included in the sealed envelope and one copy must be included with documents delivered to ItsEasy.

If traveling on business and no itinerary is available, a letter on company letterhead indicating dates and purpose of travel MAY suffice. If applicant does not possess proper itinerary, please contact us for options.

1.7  Letter of Authorization

Applicant must submit an original, signed "Letter of Authorization" which allows ItsEasy.com to submit the application to the US State Dept.

Please use the Letter of Authorization form provided by ItsEasy.com

The letter must contain the following elements: name of applicant, name of courier company, current date, and the original signature of the applicant or parent(s) or legal guardians of children under the age of 16.

1.8  Government Fees

The US State Dept charges $190 for expedited passports and $35 for verification of new passport applications by the Acceptance Agent.

Both fees must be paid to the Acceptance Agent on site. The new passport fee of $190 may be paid by check, cash, money order. If paying by check, starter checks are not acceptable. Indicate the applicant's name and DOB in the memo line. The Acceptance Agent fee of $35 may be paid by any payment method.

1.9  Passport Application (DS-11)

Applicant must submit one completed passport application form (DS-11) by following the link below. The US State Dept website "wizard" will walk you through the application. Handwritten applications will not be accepted for expedited services.

After completing passport application online, print by pressing "Create Form" button. Print two (2) completed passport applications. One copy will be included in the sealed envelope by the Acceptance Agent and the second copy (which does not need to be signed) must be included with documents delivered to ItsEasy.com

DO NOT SIGN the completed application until instructed to do so by Acceptance Agent.

Note: While completing the application, the wizard will prompt you to select fees, shipping and processing options. Select any options to complete form. No payments will be made and options selected will have no affect on the actual service delivered by ItsEasy.com. The guide is simply to assist the general public in calculating fees for traditional mail-in applications.

1.10  Damaged Passport Explanation Letter

Applicant must include a letter addressed to "The US State Department" explaining how the passport was damaged. Be as descriptive as possible. Applicant must sign and date the letter.

1.11  Review Your Documents

Applicant will place the sealed envelope from the Acceptance agent and additional documents listed below in a shipping envelope (if the sealed envelope is too large for the shipping envelope, fold it neatly in half)

1) Envelope sealed by Acceptance Agent containing items above.

Note: Most standard processing passport applications are submitted through the post office. The post office encourages applicants to pay for confirmed shipping which adds between $15 and $25. Since you are using an expediting service, DO NOT PAY THE ADDITIONAL POSTAGE FEES. This will cause delay and possible rejection of your expedited passport application.

2) On the outside of the sealed envelope, applicant must write the following:

Last Name, First Name
Date of Birth
Departure Date
Contact Phone Number

* If there is more than one application in the envelope (for multiple applicants), write out each applicants name and date of birth.

3) Copy of travel itinerary

4) Completed (signed) copy of Letter of Authorization (marked "EXTRA COPY")

5) Completed (unsigned) copy of passport application

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