Passport - damaged or not?

MarkM88
MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
in Coffee lounge
My passport expired a few years back and I thought I’d get it renewed. 

However, I note if it’s damaged they usually like you to explain how it’s happened. 

Mine inside, the lamination is starting to lift around the edge a little bit in a few places. 

Would that be classed as damaged or wear and tear and will it impact the renewal? 

Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    It's expired anyway so it makes no difference. If it hadn't expired then replacing it would be different.
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    Okay thanks. Just some of the online information suggested if it was damaged or looked like you had tried to tamper with it, it could impact renewal. It’s just wear and tear though. 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    I found this Gov document, which might help @MarkN88? 

    Definition of a damaged passport A damaged passport is one which the customer cannot use as proof of identity because of its condition.

    Damage can include:
    • when the personal details or observation page are unreadable
    • laminate peeling or lifting away from the personal details page
    • unreadable security details
    • missing or detached pages
    • where the front, back or personal details page has been cut
    • damage or discolouration to any part of the passport caused, for example, by: water, chemical or ink spills, tears, rips, bite marks
    • on a blue e-Passport, where the: perforated passport numbers have been torn (the perforations will show slight charring, this is normal), personal details page is broken or cracked
    • where the chip or antenna shows through the: endpaper on back cover of a burgundy e-Passport, personal details page of a blue e-Passport
    • when, after investigation, we identify the passport chip as damaged and not faulty
    Damage that does not need an explanation from the customer

    You, the examiner can continue with the application without asking the customer how the passport damage occurred, if all the following apply:
    • the damage is not on the personal details or observation pages
    • any visas, vignettes or immigration stamps are unaffected by the damage and you are happy there are no security features or details missing
    • damage or discolouration to the passport cover and visa pages is caused by: water, chemical or ink spills o tears, rips, burning, bite marks, writing or drawings
    Definition of wear and tear

    Wear and tear is more likely if the customer travels extensively, their travel history (stamps and multiple visas) in the passport will help the assessment of wear and tear.

    HM Passport Office will renew a passport showing general wear and tear when they have confirmed the customer’s nationality and identity. We will cancel the passport and return it to the customer.

    Signs of normal wear and tear are when:
    • the personal details page of the passport is legible (readable)
    • there is no obvious trace of amendments or tampering
    • the binding is intact
    • the laminate is secure
    • there are minor tears around the edges of pages or the cover (indicating normal use)
    • there is only slight water damage to the page edges (crinkling or curling)
    • there are minor scratches on the personal details page on a blue e-Passport
    • the personal details page is bent on a blue e-Passport
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    Thanjs @Tori_Scope

    its the second point that I was worried about. As mines starting to come away from the edges in two places so wouldn’t no if that was classed as peeling or lifting. I’m not even sure if it matters if I’m renewing because it’s expired. 

    • laminate peeling or lifting away from the personal details page
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    MarkN88 said:
    I’m not even sure if it matters if I’m renewing because it’s expired. 

    • laminate peeling or lifting away from the personal details page
    It doesn’t….
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    poppy123456 said:
    • laminate peeling or lifting away from the personal details page
    It doesn’t….
    Sorry Poppy, didn’t mean to sound like I was disputing, just wanted to make sure. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    No worries, i didn't think that at all. I totally understand you needed to make sure.
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    Well my update is, I managed to do the renewal online and due to my change of surname too, I had to send old passport, change of name deed original copy and another document. 

    I used Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm so it should of arrived yesterday. Tracking has had no updates since Monday when it was posted. 

    Spoke to Royal Mail they say it It could be delayed or could of actually arrived but not have had a scan at the location so not been updated on tracking. 

    The passport tracking hasn’t updated either but I’m guessing they get that many that if they had received the documents it would take a while to be added. 

    Just worried if the documents have went missing I’ll have to replace them. 
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    Hopefully they haven't gone missing @MarkN88! 
  • OverlyAnxious
    OverlyAnxious Online Community Member Posts: 4,125 Championing
    I had a special delivery redelivered at the weekend.  Postmen will sign for anything except those so they're a right pain for me.

    Anyway, waited for it between 10-1.30...and then got an email at 1.30 to say it hadn't been delivered as no answer at the door...  Annoyed as I'd specifically waited for it!  :|

    Went to the loo after waiting so long...and as soon as I sat down there was a knock at the door.  Yep it was the postman with the parcel.  :#

    I now actively avoid anything on eBay that's posted 'special' rather than just signed for!
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    Yeah I’m obviously going to give them time, although they reinstated the special delivery time frames end of August. 

    They have issues be a refund for the cost of delivery for not meeting their guaranteed time. 

    As I say just hoping it’s all in the RM or passport system somewhere. 
  • MarkM88
    MarkM88 Online Community Member Posts: 3,119 Connected
    I’m happy this morning because it’s been marked delivered. Hopefully once the passport office works through their deliveries and checks the documents that I will have my passport application moving along soon. 
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 62,922 Championing
    That's good all sorted
  • Ross_Alumni
    Ross_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,611 Championing
    Good to hear it's progressing nicely @MarkN88 :) 

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