One passport, freshly washed

August 12, 2009 9:53 PM

I just put my (non-RFID, US) passport through the laundry. It's soggy, wrinkly, and the cover is no longer stiff, but everything's still legible. I'm planning to travel to Beijing for about a week in October. Do I need to be panicking about getting it replaced?
posted by Alterscape to Travel & Transportation (15 answers total)

My passport (non RFID, US) was in the same condition when I spent a month going around China. Of the things I was hassled about, my passport's condition was not one of them.

Also, I'll bet you're already doing this, but keep your passport inaccessible (in the hotel's safe, even) and keep several photocopies of it to use as ID until someone (an official) makes you get the real one.
posted by cmoj at 10:04 PM on August 12, 2009

I wouldn't say panicking, but I'd replace it, if only because you don't know what other mishaps will befall it in the course of your travels. Right now, everything's legible...but if it gets rained on, laundered again, or otherwise messed with, you might be out of luck, especially mid-journey. Many of my visas are ink stamps as well as laser-printed stickers, both of which might end up in quite poor shape after being wet.

If you haven't applied for your Chinese visa yet, be aware that your damaged passport may end up causing them delays in issuing it, as well.

Also, my mother recently expedited a new passport and received it within two weeks.
posted by mdonley at 10:36 PM on August 12, 2009

I don't know about China, but I almost didn't make it through customs at Heathrow. I got caught in the rain with my passport in my pocket (I didn't have any other forms of ID at the time, stupid, I know) and it ended up in the same condition as yours. I had to deal with a very cranky customs official who gave me a hard time and threatened to have me sent back on a flight to the US. I would start the replacement process now, and strongly consider expediting it.
posted by lemonwheel at 10:39 PM on August 12, 2009

I'm from elsewhere (EU) and have laundered my passport repeatedly. The helpful suggestion I get most often after someone inspecting it complains about its sorry state is "...but don't try to go to the US with it." :)

I got a Chinese visa with it after the first laundering and generally took the impression from the embassy that they're mostly concerned that you cough up the fee.
posted by themel at 10:41 PM on August 12, 2009

Expedite a replacement immediately. You don't want to fuck with not having a good condition passport when trying to travel to China right now. At best, you waste a lot of money and come home. At worst, who the hell knows.

Having said that, when you do get your new one, enjoy the trip! Post up some photos for us.
posted by lazaruslong at 10:54 PM on August 12, 2009

Having almost been refused entry to my home country due to the condition of my passport: I wouldn't freak out, but I'd get it corrected ASAP. If it's not possible before your travel date, don't flip out, but do allow extra time (and sanguinity) to be hassled at whichever borders you're at.

If it is possible before your travel date: get it done.
posted by pompomtom at 11:04 PM on August 12, 2009

Considering you can get a replacement before your travel date the risk of being hassled or even denied entry at every border crossing (including your own!) you come to vs. the reward of being able to spend the cost of the replacement on your trip seems pretty lopsided.
posted by Mitheral at 11:49 PM on August 12, 2009

I've had my US non-RFID passport for almost a decade. I have washed it and now the auto scanner at US entry points don't work and the agents have to type my number in.

I have gone through US border approx 30 times in the last decade and been to other places, a few not very US friendly and I have had nary a problem no matter where I go.

Given your time frame, I wouldn't replace it. Just don't wash it again.
posted by Dagobert at 1:57 AM on August 13, 2009

I was once hassled about a very slightly waterlogged passport - but it was at Heathrow, too, so maybe they are just extra cranky.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 3:22 AM on August 13, 2009

I have a friend who accidentally washed their passport. It was in just "ok" condition, but they were turned away at the airport in the US, about an hour before an international flight.

The one time I went to PRC, I entered via Hong Kong to go to the Guangdong province. I will say that entry involved very close inspection of my passport and visa. Frankly, it made me nervous, and my documents were in pristine condition. This might have been related to my previous travels or ultimate destination in PRC, or something else, though.

If you will happen to be in a city with a Regional Passport Agency, you can get a passport within a few hours. There's not one in Arizona, but there's one in Los Angeles (I know that's not close to you, but in case you will travel there in the next month or so).

As of today, renewal by expedited service takes 2-3 weeks; routine service 4-6 weeks. So, you have time to get it renewed before your trip. Seems worth it to prevent the chance of being turned away.
posted by Houstonian at 3:31 AM on August 13, 2009

If you do request a replacement (and I would in your situation), expedite it. Six weeks from today is September 24th, and unless "October" means the 20th or later, you run the risk of your application being delayed by two weeks and ruining the trip.

My application was delayed by three weeks (in the 2007 debacle), and that was after being expedited in the middle of the process. The peace of mind you'll get from having a good passport in your hands a few weeks before your trip is certainly worth $60.
posted by soelo at 7:51 AM on August 13, 2009

I was held up at Charles de Gaulle en route to Spain for a passport that was well-used, where the lamination over the photo had separated from the backing paper slightly. The police let me go after they noticed my completely trustworthy-looking wife (who had a shiny new passport) waiting around for me.

I didn't get any flack about my passport when re-entering the USA, just the usual surliness I'd expect from ICE.

I wouldn't mess with it. Get a new one if it's an option.
posted by adamrice at 8:32 AM on August 13, 2009

FWIW I also had no problems on the same trip in Tokyo, Bangkok, Jordan, Rome, or Heathrow.
posted by cmoj at 9:24 AM on August 13, 2009

I had to get my passport renewed/replaced before a trip this summer - it took a mere 3 weeks.

Just get it replaced. The RFID ones have a picture of THE MOON in them. It's really the coolest thing about them.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 3:28 PM on August 13, 2009

Same thing happened to mine, and I've successfully used it twice for international travel since; once to Mexico and once to Tokyo. Nobody mentioned, even when I was arbitrarily stopped and searched by Tokyo cops.
posted by contraption at 7:30 PM on August 13, 2009