monicainindy

Just this morning I noticed that my passport has the wrong month listed for my birthday, day and year are ok, month just off by a month. By the way, this is a US Passport.

I have traveled into Mexico with this passport numerous times and never had a problem going through customs. We leave for Italy on the 16th of Sept.

Do I have enough time to get this fixed? I have had the passport since 1999 and now I notice. If the passport is the only doc I present at immigration, how will they know the month is off? I want to get a new one and not have to worry about this but I am afraid they won't get me a new one on time. I know I can pay an expedite fee for a new passport but the state department website doesn't say anything about an expedite fee for a corrected passport. Any advise?

KeyWest

I really wouldn't worry about it at all. Your passposrt is a legal document issued by the US government. As long as you haven't altered it, you should be okay. Correct it after you come back.

elaine

when you use a passport they're not comparing it to your original birth certificate and I can't see why you would have a problem. It's a valid passport and you have more than 6 months before it expires, it will be fine.

However,if/when you want it reissued and corrected, you can still have it expedited if you wish, just enclose the original birth certificate along with the passport and the fee, and also enclose a letter explaining why you are including the birth certificate.

HowardR

Monica, you are worrying unnecessarily. Believe us, no government officials (ours or those of the countries you are visiting) will know that the birth month is wrong on your passport.
Just have it corrected when you return.

GreenEyedCatWoman

I agree with the others. No need to worry. The officials looking at it won't know it's incorrect.

For some totally unknown reason, my first passport said I was born in Missouri. I wasn't.

I was born in Illinois, have lived my whole life in IL, was married in IL, my husband was born in IL, my parents were both born in IL. In fact, every single space on the application wanting a state name was completed with IL, EXCEPT for one. I work in Missouri.

So I figured, no one can tell I wasn't born in MO by looking at me, and used that passport with no problem for 10 years.

My renewed passport is correct.

elaine

GECW,
I can usually spot the difference between a Missourian and an Illinoisian (Illinoisite?) a mile away.
Iowans and Idahoans all look the same, however.

GreenEyedCatWoman

Well Elaine, lucky for me the immigration people I've encountered aren't as sharp as you are.

Is it perchance the trailing TP that gives away those Missourians? That NEVER happens to we Illinoisans!!

monicainindy

I just remembered that my cousin's husband works for INS, sent them an email, get a feeling he will tell me the same thing. It is just that we have been planning this trip for so long that I don't want something like this to spoil it. My hubby is going to go to the post office tomorrow and see if a correction can be expedited... buy you guys are right, I may be worried for no reason.

elaine

honestly, it's not 'may be'
you have no problem, you have a 100 % valid passport, and I'm assuming you are not on any 'watch lists' and that you won't try to board carrying a weapon
you are fine, it's having the valid passport that counts

tclowe

You can contact the local passport office (in any big city) and they can rush passports. Due to human error and the urgency, you should request they rush it for you without addt'l charges.

monicainindy

tclowe - I thought of this and the thing is that I have had this passport since '99 and I JUST noticed today... wanna kick myself for this one!

LoveItaly

Well monucainindy speaking only about the SF Passport office you sure cannot contact them and have your passport corrected. I would, at this point, not worry about the month of your birthdate being incorrect, except I have read that HomeLand Security has talked about having the airlines take the passengers birthdates as well as their name (same as on passport), address etc.

I don't know what to tell you but I can give you the U&S Passport Office Information Service Phone No. which is 1-877-487-2778.

Intrepid1

There is only ONE way a Customs official will know that the birthdate on your passport is incorrect: that would be by comparing the date listed on the passport to the date YOU fill in on any Customs/Immigrations forms. And the easy way around that is to fill in the exact same date that is on your passport and get the date corrected later or when you renew.

However, when you do correct the date be prepared to produce documentation as to the validity of the corrected date.

ira

Hi M,

Somehow I just cannot conceive of the Italian Immigration officers asking you to come with them to a small room where you will be stripped, searched, tortured and eventually returned to Guantanamo Bay because the month of birth on your passport is incorrect.

Enjoy your visit.

Gretchen

It is a non-issue. Fix it when you renew your passport.

Intrepid1

Neither can I, Ira, because if it happens at all it will happen upon return to the U.S...and doesn't that make you feel safer down in Madison????

HKP

Are you sure you weren't born in the other month? ;-)

Only possible problem might be if you look dangerous enough to be pulled aside for questioning and they ask you when you were born!

monicainindy

Thanks everyone... you have been most helpful... I think I will just let it go! from now on I will keep on telling myself I was born in February....
My cousin who works for immigration said the same thing. He did advise that I take my driver's licence and birth certificate just in case.

faredolce

whoa, don't take your original birth certificate with you to Italy. Take a copy.

monicainindy

Just talked to the passport office, they encouraged sending the $60 fee to expedite processing so I can have it in two weeks.... if there's a snag in the process I will be without a passport. I am thinking I will just go and fix it later....

I have two copies of my birth certificate so I can take one of the original ones.