I just received my U.S. passport and it has an error; it lists the wrong state for my birth. I know I can send it back and get a corrected passport, but does it really matter? Will anyone ever notice?

Well -- when you fill out your landing cards you need to write your place of birth so if you want to commit perjury every time - sure, keep the incorrect one.

Traveling with an error in my passport would probably not be within my comfort zone.

And are there actually landing cards to fill out (for non-EU citizens) when you enter the Schengen zone?
I thought it was only the UK and ROI who have this system?
And the samples you see on the web ask only for town and country of birth. Not state or province.

I have never seen a landing card that asked for place of birth. Passport number, nationality, date of birth, flight number, destination, where you're staying in country. . . but never place of birth.

No one can tell you if you might encounter issues even if landing cards don't currently ask the question. I think the border controls have latitude to ask you relevant questions, such as items listed in your passport if they feel something fishy and can delay your passage. Also your passport is usually your only official identification abroad and as such even if the disembarkations cards don't ask the question, other documents you might have to fill out can ask that info.

<i> Passport question
Posted by: Drowden on Jan 11, 16 at 8:44pm
the wrong state for my birth.
Will anyone ever notice? </i>

The only one who will ever notice is the passport policeman after you have just made a 10 hour flight. Then you are dumped into a holding cell.

>>I have never seen a landing card that asked for place of birth. Passport number, nationality, date of birth, flight number, destination, where you're staying in country. . . but never place of birth.<<

I don't remember every landing card I've ever completed - but for one, the UK Border Agency landing card definitely DOES ask for place of birth.

A passport is the ultimate form of identification and proof of citizenship. You should insist that it be 100% accurate.
As one who once worked processing passport applications, I must say I am surprised that you received a passport with such an error. Numerous reviews of the completed passports were done in our office before being released. The mistake on your passport should have been caught.

>>The only one who will ever notice is the passport policeman after you have just made a 10 hour flight. Then you are dumped into a holding cell.<<

And the drama-queen tiara goes to ...

Thanks, everyone. I am going to return the passport and get a corrected one. I must say, though, that the first response from janisj was snarky. I asked a legitimate question, and I don't think I deserved the dripping sarcasm. I want this board to feel safe, and when I saw that response, I really wished I hadn't posted the question.

BTW, when I posted it, I didn't know where my extra passport picture was and going for another one and paying for it was making me cranky; I have to submit a form explaining the error, my birth certificate AGAIN, and a new passport photo. AND wait another month for a new one. This is a hassle through no fault of my own, but I'll do it.

>> I must say, though, that the first response from janisj was snarky. I asked a legitimate question, and I don't think I deserved the dripping sarcasm. <<

Wasn't snarky or sarcastic. Sorry if you thought so. If you travel on a an incorrect passport, then every time you complete any official forms you would be committing at least a misdemeanor . . . So I suggested it was up to your whether you keep the incorrect one or not.

It was snarky.

'It was snarky.'
Coming from a connoisseur.

Pfff every OP is now saying some Fodorite is snarky.
I will form a syndicate for snarky people. I vote myself as at least secretary if not president.

Who joins ?

(I thought Janisj was quite polite and to the point).
(I also thought that OP's question was ... not necessary, answer to that one was easy).

Tone can sometimes be misunderstood in online communications.

However, I don't see that presenting factual information is "snarky".

Facts are what they are. One may not like them - but Janisj did not make any mistake in the passport. The OP should take out their bad temper on the people that made the mistake.

I'm with Whathello on this one. If janis's comment was snarky ( I certainly don't think it was ) then give me snarky. More important is that maybe twenty years ago one might have gotten away with incorrect place of birth but not now. It's absolutely essential that all the information on your passport is correct.