BTilke

I will be flying to the U.S. in June and have a passport issued in 2000 (replacement for a stolen passport), exp. 2010. Last year, I was told by the airlines and the guys at Eurostar (in Brussels, Paris and London) that my passport was not machine readable, so I will have to get a new one to go back to the States this year.
BUT on a day trip to Brussels from London last week, the (very good looking) Flemish guy who checked my passport in Brussels said it WAS machine readable with the new scanners they put in earlier this year.
So now I'm confused...do I need to get a new passport or not?
I know I have to trek down to the U.S. consulate in London for a definitive answer, but I was wondering if any Fodorites knew if these new scanners are installed at U.S. airports (particularly Orlando).
I'll get a new passport if needed, but my current one has my UK residency visa in it, etc. I'd rather not spend the time and money for a new one if it isn't necessary.
Any insights appreciated.

AAFrequentFlyer

Since you had it renewed in 2000 I would have to assume that your passport is machine readable. If at the bottom of your photo page it has your name and in the second line with bunch of numbers and letters, then you have nothing to worry about.

For example:

P<USAFLYER<<AA<FREQUENT<<<&lt ;<<<<<<<<<<<&lt ;
067456745863USA3486213457M856346<<<<&l t;<<

or something similar.

jody

HI..we are in Orlando and have had new passports for the last few months..and they always slide them thru a machine....like the card swipes at the grocers...so I am guessing they are machine readable. Even before that they slid them thru some kind of machine! I think there will be some new kind issued shortly..with a chip or something undefinable to an average person! ..but they haven't started it yet. Our latest passports were issued a few months ago and the only change I see is the picture is digital and printed on the paper..not like my old one that was falling off!

Travelnut

I'm still using my 1996-issue passport...

Intrepid1

Agred that if it has those numbers and symbols at the bottom it is, in fact, machine readable...and you may have noticed that when they do slide it thropugh the "reader" what appears on their screen is that other picture you provided when you renewed it.

sandi

My 1996 passport is machine readable. So your 2000 passport should also be.

Queenie

If yout passport was issued at a US embassy it may not be machine readable. As you are an expat, this could be the case.

But if you had it issued in the US is should be machine readable.

Or..you might just have to apply for a US visa! (joke)

lincasanova

as i understand it, if you are a U.S. citizen.. doesnt matter.
call your consulate.

wsm2004

My husband had his passport stolen in Spain and had one re-issued over there - it was NOT machine readable and caused us extra hassels at Miami airport and in Costa Rica - so when we just went to Europe I made him get a new passport - for me the 60$ was worth it -