Faded passport

TheEffect

I've had my passport renewed 2/3 years ago, so it's valid for a while, but because I carry it everywhere with me (only ID I have, cannot get provisional), and I've travelled quite a lot, it's looking a little... worn.

There's no gold at all on the front cover now, and a few pages are looking a little worn inside, but everything is completely visible and photo page is fine.

I'm travelling to the US in a few months. Is it worth getting a replacement or is the front cover worn away and a little 'worn' inside not enough to justify a replacement?

visidigi

Mines the same, been in and out of the US 7+ times since it got to that state. I'm due over there again twice in the next 8 weeks and I'm not worried about it - you shouldn't be either as long as the photo page is okay like you say

Westin

The worn front cover isn't a problem. Mines the same and I just flew into the US this afternoon without problem.

You will however need to replace if the laminated page with your biometric data/photo is damaged.

Also, if pages are torn or ripped some countries may be funny about this and another reason to think about renewal.

photome

MIne is also worn for the same reasons, its the only photo ID I have and carry it around in the States every year.

No problems

yellowmug

As others have said, it's the photo page that's important. My passport has no gold left on the front (I suspect poor design), and I've been to all manner of countries with it in that state, including the US.

angelil

As others have said, it's the photo page you need to worry about.
Why don't you just get a cover for it, though? I have a cover for mine and even though my passport gets frequent use it's still in excellent condition (even though it'll expire in 3 years' time).

visidigi

angelil wrote: »

As others have said, it's the photo page you need to worry about.
Why don't you just get a cover for it, though? I have a cover for mine and even though my passport gets frequent use it's still in excellent condition (even though it'll expire in 3 years' time).

Most places now tell you to remove covers to be able to have the machine read them...kinda makes the cover pointless lol

InsideInsurance

visidigi wrote: »

Most places now tell you to remove covers to be able to have the machine read them...kinda makes the cover pointless lol

It depends on your passport, my old british one (machine readable, not biometric) has the main page on the inside of the rear cover so an external cover would need removing but my new irish passport (machine readable and biometric) has it as a separate page inside the front cover and so a separate cover doesnt need to be removed.

Doshwaster

Same here. If you are a regular traveller then you will find that the gold print on the front cover fades very quickly. When I see an immaculate passport it means that it's either brand new, the owner has OCD looking after it, or it is only used once or twice a year.

TheEffect

Thanks for all the replies.

The photo-page is fine, apart from a small mark on the back of the page which is showing a little metal... looks like a burn mark. Not sure how that happened.

I wanted to avoid getting a new passport if I can, as this one still has a year left under the USA visa waiver.

Here's the small mark on the back of the photo page.

http://oi44.tinypic.com/1e6lfq.jpg

photome

angelil wrote: »

As others have said, it's the photo page you need to worry about.
Why don't you just get a cover for it, though? I have a cover for mine and even though my passport gets frequent use it's still in excellent condition (even though it'll expire in 3 years' time).

This a moneysavingsite...no need to spend more on a cover.

Doesnt matter to me what the front cover looks like, mine is also creased from being in front or back pocket of my jeans