I'm heading to Japan for a few weeks at the end of summer ~ Augustish, and my passport was accidentally washed recently. I know I'm a dumbass but we all make mistakes. Does anyone know where to go online for specifics on duplicates? When I get a chance I'm gonna head to the nearest passport office (glorified post office) but I was wondering if there's any info on it from someone who's already done it. Basically I'm pretty sure it's still acceptable, as all writing is still legible, inside print, signature, cover, everything except one of the visa stamps for a trip to england a few years ago. Aside from the weathered look, the only problem is that the glue holding the inner pages section have separated completely from the cover. From reading most of everyone else's experience with a washed passport this will just give me more scrutiny at immigration but if everything checks out I'll be fine. Obviously the best choice is to get another made, but this one is only a few years old and wondering if there may be a cheaper, faster way to get a duplicate.

5/14/2008 2:30:06 AM

Quote :

"Does anyone know where to go online for specifics on duplicates? "

http://www.google.com

5/14/2008 2:33:02 AM

First thing I tried and couldn't find it. The state department's travel site doesn't cover it in any of their passport pages.

5/14/2008 3:47:24 AM

I dont think that the State Dept offers an option for duplicates in the same sense that the DMV offers duplicates for licenses. Either you apply for a renewal or you apply from scratch. I would imagine that you could include your current passport with your application and just fill out a renewal form. Like you said, while the passport may still be usable, it is worth it to get a new one just to avoid the extra scrutiny that a ruined passport will bring you. I would try calling State Depts consular services / passport services and get the definitive answer straight from the horse's mouth.

5/14/2008 7:14:20 AM

You can't get a duplicate passport. You're going to have to send them your old passport with a form requesting a new one. They'll void your old one and send you a new one.

But they're horribly backlogged on passport requests so you need to do this ASAP if you want to actually go on your trip.

5/14/2008 7:39:26 AM

^ It took two weeks between me turning in my passport and getting it in the mail. This was about a month ago.

5/14/2008 8:43:53 AM

everyone always says the backlog is bigger than it is. friend got one in like 10 business days a month ago.

5/14/2008 8:50:56 AM

yeah turnaround was incredibly fast for me a few months ago, wasn't backlogged at all

a few weeks max

5/14/2008 8:53:57 AM

Got mine in one week last month.

5/14/2008 9:13:15 AM

I just know we're heading into high season for passports. If you wait until end of May - June don't be surprised if it takes a month or more.

5/14/2008 9:18:39 AM

I washed my passport once. I had to spend pretty much a whole day at the US embassy in London to get a temporary replacement.

FYI: If you passport is damaged in any way, it isn't valid.

Quote :

"You can't get a duplicate passport. You're going to have to send them your old passport with a form requesting a new one. They'll void your old one and send you a new one."

This is true and exactly what I had to do.

5/14/2008 11:41:02 AM

Ah ok, thats what I need to hear. Thanks for everyone's input, gonna put in for a new passport next week.

5/15/2008 12:55:48 AM

Yeah and make sure you have a spic and span passport going into Japan, they've really tightened their immigration up alot.

5/15/2008 5:51:19 PM

Quote :

"...make sure you have a spic and span passport..."

For those of you who are cognitively challenged, that does not mean wash or launder your passport.

5/15/2008 6:27:35 PM