Damaged passport

[harveybobbles]

Arrgh.

The other half has put my Passport through the wash and I'm off for a short holiday in three weeks. It is now dry and whilst the passport looks 'okay', the pages are a bit crumpled. The photo page has not delaminated and the only ink that has run is a couple of immigration stamps.

I'm only flying to France, but I'm not sure whether I should:

1) Risk it, it looks 'okay' and I could bring lots of other ID.

2) Send it off in the post, but if it's not back in 3 weeks I've no chance of going as they'll have my damaged passport! Most people suggest a renewal takes about two weeks but a replacement may take longer than a renewal??

3) Make an appointment at my local (ha!) Passport office using the 'Fast Track' service (1 week delivery). The Premium service is not available for replacement passports.

What would you do/what have you done?

What a PITA.

[phumy]

What I would have done is removed the passport from the clothes that she put into the washing machine, don't blame her/him for your forgetfulness.

[GCH]

harveybobbles said:

The Premium service is not available for replacement passports.

Yes it is - have done it myself as recently as april (both of them- one lost, one renewal, both on same day, both ready in 4hrs).

Even if only offered the one week service by the morons on the phone line (they are totally useless), when you go for the appointment upgrade it to same day when you are at the counter.

Edited by GCH on Wednesday 14th November 11:33

[MacW]

My passport went through the wash about 4 years ago and I travel abroad 3 or 4 times a year.

Had a couple of raised eyebrows here and there but nothing beyond wry humour from customs.

[harveybobbles]

GCH said:

Yes it is - have done it myself as recently as april (both of them- one lost, one renewal, both on same day, both ready in 4hrs).

Even if only offered the one week service by the morons on the phone line (they are totally useless), when you go for the appointment upgrade it to same day when you are at the counter.

Edited by GCH on Wednesday 14th November 11:33

Thanks.

I have booked an appointment exactly 1 week before I go. I couldn't get any other appointments nearer the time. I have been assured it'll arrive on the 6th (the day before my flight!) but if I can upgrade at the time I will do. Their website clearly states however that for lost, stolen and replacement passports the Premium Service is not available: https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

The only other option is to stick is to get it "Checked and Sent" via the Post Office tomorrow morning and pray that it arrives within 3 weeks. That way I'd save myself some money (train to London, the day off as holiday and the additional cost to Fast Track!) but have no guarantee it'll arrive in time: I'm told the current time is "about 2-3 weeks, but no assurances".

Sadly I am flying with easyJet and I've been told in no uncertain terms that they will not let me travel on a damaged passport regardless of the level of damage.

[carreauchompeur]

I wouldn't worry too much about the inner pages, so long as the photo page retains its structural integrity you'll be fine...

[Deva Link]

harveybobbles said:

Sadly I am flying with easyJet and I've been told in no uncertain terms that they will not let me travel on a damaged passport regardless of the level of damage.

One of their staff at Liverpool turned a woman with a washed passport away on the programme "Airline" - the passenger seemed a reasonable person and reckoned she'd used it several times before with no problems.

[GCH]

harveybobbles said:

Thanks.

I have booked an appointment exactly 1 week before I go. I couldn't get any other appointments nearer the time. I have been assured it'll arrive on the 6th (the day before my flight!) but if I can upgrade at the time I will do. Their website clearly states however that for lost, stolen and replacement passports the Premium Service is not available: https://www.gov.uk/get-a-passport-urgently

The only other option is to stick is to get it "Checked and Sent" via the Post Office tomorrow morning and pray that it arrives within 3 weeks. That way I'd save myself some money (train to London, the day off as holiday and the additional cost to Fast Track!) but have no guarantee it'll arrive in time: I'm told the current time is "about 2-3 weeks, but no assurances".

Sadly I am flying with easyJet and I've been told in no uncertain terms that they will not let me travel on a damaged passport regardless of the level of damage.

Yes, that is what the website says.
All i know is from my personal experience.
I fully expected to leave passport office with my main passport the same day and have the replacement for my second passport (which had been lost) arrive a week later. Annoying, as needed to urgently replace some visas in the lost one, and had a trip 2 days later using the primary one, but the phone operative was adamant that the policy was inflexible and as per website.

What actually happened, was at the counter she said strictly speaking the policy was as per the website, but the counter staff have the power to use their discretion and can do lost/stolen/damaged ones same day if they deem it appropriate. I didn't ask for this- she volunteered it and asked if wanted both same day. There was also an error on my details on both when i collected them, so they made two new ones (with the errors corrected) in 10mins, so they definitely do have the power to bend the rules when needed.

Check and send service is just extra cash for the biddies at the post orifice to cast their eye over the form, and to send special delivery. I wouldnt bother with it as as soon as it is sent, it is just a regular mailed application with no fast track or priority- total waste of money.
Bite the bullet and take the appointment.

Edited by GCH on Wednesday 14th November 15:27

[The jiffle king]

current waiting times are less than 6 days, so if you are worried, book in for an appointment and you´ll get yours back quickly enough

[jock mcsporran]

I've mentioned it before on here but we use CIBT for passports and visas. You obviously pay for the service but it takes the hassle and worry out of the process.

[ChrisBMW]

I done something similar about four years ago and from your description sound to have the same level of damage on my passport, since then I have travelled to the States at least four times, India and a number of European countries as well as a number of internal flights on low cost carriers including Easyjet with no issues.

[valiant]

Passport office seem to be pretty quick this time of year anyway. Just renewed and got it back in a week using their 'ordinary' service so a big from me.

[harveybobbles]

GCH said:

Yes, that is what the website says.
All i know is from my personal experience.
I fully expected to leave passport office with my main passport the same day and have the replacement for my second passport (which had been lost) arrive a week later. Annoying, as needed to urgently replace some visas in the lost one, and had a trip 2 days later using the primary one, but the phone operative was adamant that the policy was inflexible and as per website.

What actually happened, was at the counter she said strictly speaking the policy was as per the website, but the counter staff have the power to use their discretion and can do lost/stolen/damaged ones same day if they deem it appropriate. I didn't ask for this- she volunteered it and asked if wanted both same day. There was also an error on my details on both when i collected them, so they made two new ones (with the errors corrected) in 10mins, so they definitely do have the power to bend the rules when needed.

Check and send service is just extra cash for the biddies at the post orifice to cast their eye over the form, and to send special delivery. I wouldnt bother with it as as soon as it is sent, it is just a regular mailed application with no fast track or priority- total waste of money.
Bite the bullet and take the appointment.

Edited by GCH on Wednesday 14th November 15:27

Thank you.

I have an appointment booked for 30th November (exactly one week before I go). Apparently there is nothing available earlier! I find this hard to believe but hey ho. I'm also told that the delivery is "up to 1 week", so may well arrive much earlier using the Fast Track service.

I will ask/beg/plead for a same day passport on the day as it'll save me having to take a day off work to wait around for the courier. Quite happy to meet a few friends in London for lunch then wander back to collect it in the afternoon.

[downthepub]

My old passport had a dip in a swimming pool once, only trouble I had with it afterwards was a refusal of an Algerian visa, which wasn't much of a hardship, truth be told. Didn't have trouble with entry or visas to the US/Nigeria/Australia/UAE/Norway and a bunch of EU countries.

[SmoothCriminal]

If you use check and send I'm sure you'll get your passport back in under 3 weeks. I lost mine and applied for one in July and still got it in under two weeks.

[brettgerrett]

hi

im in massive predicament and have to fly out to Italy Thursday but since booking my flight on Friday I have lost my passport

has anyone managed to get an upgraded application to the premium same day service on a lost passport.

I know its at the ips's discretion but my boss is not a happy bunny!

thanks in advance for your comments and sorry for opening and old post

[jock mcsporran]

Unlikely on a lost passport. Even our agents only offer a Fast Track 6 day service on a lost or stolen passport.

If you travel a lot (and need visas) it would be faster to apply for a second passport.

[harveybobbles]

brettgerrett said:

hi

im in massive predicament and have to fly out to Italy Thursday but since booking my flight on Friday I have lost my passport

has anyone managed to get an upgraded application to the premium same day service on a lost passport.

I know its at the ips's discretion but my boss is not a happy bunny!

thanks in advance for your comments and sorry for opening and old post

Hi

I am the OP. Despite telling me that I could only get the 1-week service (both on the web and the 'phone) the IPS allowed me to upgrade from the fast track (i.e. within a week) service to premium same-day with no hassle.

They would not allow me to book this in advance though, so I had to ask the interviewer very nicely on the day (and it is at their discretion) who was happy to do so as I was travelling within the week (and had evidence of this and because the passport office in London wasn't too busy on the day I was booked for).

Mine was damaged rather than lost, mind, but they still allowed same-day despite clearly stating that it was not available on their website. I was quite impressed with the service I received.

Good luck!

Edited by harveybobbles on Sunday 3rd February 18:26

[GCH]

harveybobbles said:

Hi

I am the OP. Despite telling me that I could only get the 1-week service (both on the web and the 'phone) the IPS allowed me to upgrade from the fast track (i.e. within a week) service to premium same-day with no hassle.

They would not allow me to book this in advance though, so I had to ask the interviewer very nicely on the day (and it is at their discretion) who was happy to do so as I was travelling within the week (and had evidence of this and because the passport office in London wasn't too busy on the day I was booked for).

Mine was damaged rather than lost, mind, but they still allowed same-day despite clearly stating that it was not available on their website. I was quite impressed with the service I received.

Good luck!

Edited by harveybobbles on Sunday 3rd February 18:26

Told you

brettgerrett said:

hi

im in massive predicament and have to fly out to Italy Thursday but since booking my flight on Friday I have lost my passport

has anyone managed to get an upgraded application to the premium same day service on a lost passport.

I know its at the ips's discretion but my boss is not a happy bunny!

thanks in advance for your comments and sorry for opening and old post

Book an appointment for one week service, plead your case at the counter (signed letter from your boss and print off detailing your confirmed flights would help!) and you should be fine.
As above i have received a same-day replacement for a lost second passport. However it is totally at their discretion on the day and they will not let you book it.

[kinabalu]

Mrs K posted her passport for renewal a week last Fri, ordinary first class, new 1 arrived on Wed, 1st class post & service me thinks.