British holidaymakers are being urged to check their passports carefully before travelling, as even common signs of damage could cause delays when applying for a replacement or, in some cases, prevent the document from being accepted as proof of identity.
What counts as damage
According to Home Office guidance, HM Passport Office examines every passport submitted for renewal or replacement to check for damage, excessive wear or any signs it may have been tampered with. A passport may be considered damaged if important details can no longer be read or if parts of the document have become detached. This can include peeling laminate on the personal details page, missing pages, tears, water damage, ink or chemical stains, bite marks, cracks in the photo page, or damage to the passport chip.
Normal wear and tear is acceptable
However, not every mark means your passport needs replacing. The guidance makes clear that normal wear and tear is generally acceptable. Minor scratches, light creasing from water, slight tears around the edges and everyday signs of use are unlikely to cause problems if the passport remains readable and shows no signs of being altered.
What happens if damage is found
If HM Passport Office believes a passport has been damaged, officials may ask the holder to explain how it happened before issuing a replacement. In some cases, they may also request extra documents if they are unable to confirm a person's identity or nationality from their records.
The guidance also says passports are checked for signs of fraudulent tampering, as damage can sometimes be used to disguise attempts to alter a person's identity or travel history. Applications that raise these concerns can be referred for further investigation.
Anyone who notices significant damage to their passport before a trip is advised to deal with it as early as possible rather than waiting until travel is imminent.
