Embarrasing Passport Question
 

After coming home from my last European trip, I washed my travel jacket--with my passport in it. The passport is still readable, and you can easily verify that the picture is me, but it looks like it went through a washing machine--sort of like dollar bills that have been washed and dried. Do I need to replace the passport?

Yes, you will need to replace it. my husband did the same thing. While its readable, it may not be acceptable. depending on when you next need to use it, you can either replace it through normal channels or express service which is basically 1-2 day turnaround but requires you to have a valid itinerary or ticket showing you need it that fast. it also means spending most of a day at the passport office.

I completely agree that it s/b replaced. I read somewhere that a passport is no good if it's mutilated. And in today's world of heightened security, you do not want to use a passport that might look fake or altered to a customs agent. They might not be so quick to believe it looks that way because you washed it. Better safe than sorry.

I had alot of trouble once getting back into the US after I had forded a stream with my passport in my pocket.

Depending on the situation, you might be admitted to a country and then have to go to the US Embassy for a temporary replacement -

The question is whether it is readable by a computer scanner. While I'm not certain as I don't have my passport in front of me, I believe their is a bar-code on the last page and US INS scans that as you enter the country. Not sure what happens to bar code after wash, rinse, and spin.

For me, it'd be better to know it works then to hope it might as I'm heading into another country on vacation or coming home.

Looks like you should get it replaced. Airline travel can be stressful enough, without getting into a sweat every time you approach immigration...

Thanks for all the responses. As usual, Fodorites know best (FKB), so I'm off to fill out some forms.

you had better. washing your passport could be seen as trying to remove previous stamping marks....trying to hide that weekend visit to afghanistan eh?

Sam

"Clinton:had a head, got some head and moved the country ahead."