Depending on the extent of the damage, to replace a damaged passport is simpler than replacing a lost or stolen passport.
A passport is a very important document. We should always do our utmost to keep it well looked after and in a safe place.
Replacing a lost or stolen passport requires that you have your identity verified and confirmed by someone who meets very specific criteria, but to replace a damaged passport is a much easier task.
At U.K.ABROAD, our focus is to simplify it even further and guide you through the replacement process.
Let’s run through our five simple steps to replace a damaged UK passport.
1. Assess whether your passport damage meets replacement criteria
Once you discover that your passport has taken its umpteenth cycle in the washing machine and has finally lost its purpose (which is primarily to identify its owner), you need to decide on your course of action.
If you don’t intend to ever travel abroad again for the rest of your natural life, you could hold onto it and make up some incredibly adventurous stories to tell the young kids of the family.
Or you could begin the process to replace your damaged passport.
There are a few criteria that qualify a passport as “damaged” to the extent of needing to be replaced.
These are:
- That your passport is difficult or to read or illegible;
- The laminate over your name page has lifted from the page;
- The name page is discoloured or faded;
- There are stains (like ink or chemicals) on any of the pages;
- That any of the pages are torn, missing, detached, or defaced;
- That the chip is visible on the back cover;
- There are signs of damage on the chip cover; or
- There is any other damage resulting in your passport being an illegible document.
If the damage occurs too close to a scheduled departure date, you may need to apply for an Emergency Travel Document.
2. Passport replacement: Visit www.ukabroad.net and complete the application to replace a damaged passport
Online is the only way that HM Passport Office handles passport replacements from abroad.
While it should be a very simple task, without having an official to assist you over the counter, it can be a little daunting.
It is for this reason that U.K.ABROAD offers this service to British citizens all over the world.
Apart from errors resulting in the forfeit of any application fee, it can be frustrating having to meet all of the incredibly strict criteria set out by the government.
The exceptionally high standard held by the UK passport office makes it quite tricky for the average Joe to correctly and accurately complete the first time around.
HM Passport Office does not offer any refunds for any rejected applications. The entire fee that was paid, will have to be paid again as though it were the first application.
With U.K.ABROAD, this risk is eliminated as we pre-check every detail before we submit your application.
We are in no way affiliated with HM Passport Office, but we do work very closely with them, ensuring that we are up to speed with any amendments to legislation involving the process of replacing a damaged passport.
3. Complete the application online
The process to replace a passport on the U.K.ABROAD website is simple and user-friendly.
The prompts are very specific and you should fly through the application in minutes.
Ensure that you have your current, although damaged, passport on hand to fill in all the details that are required, and that are documented in your passport.
You will, a little later on in the process, have to have your photograph taken according to the UK Passport Office guidelines, but we will help you with that too.
If you are unsure of how to proceed at any point, you may contact us and we will guide you through it.
4. Make the payment to replace a damaged passport
The payment method on the U.K.ABROAD website when completing the process to replace your damaged passport online is safe and secure.
You will be able to quickly complete your payment online and move ahead with the submission of your application.
The fee that you will pay at this point includes ALL processing, collection of your damaged passport, and delivery of your new one. No surprise fees will follow later.
5. Wait for your new passport to arrive
Generally, a waiting time of between three to four weeks applies before receiving your new passport.
Although you may feel annoyed at the inconvenience of replacing a damaged passport, you can rest assured that by partnering with U.K.ABROAD, it will be a simple and quick process.
How long does it take to replace a damaged UK passport?
The waiting time to replace a damaged UK passport is generally between three and four weeks, when using the services of U.K.ABROAD.
Read more helpful guides:
- How to renew your British Passport in Australia
- British Passport renewals & applications from Canada
- British Passports from the USA
- Renewing a British Passport from South Africa
- UK passports from NZ
Topic: Passport replacement UK
