Passmere is a private company, not a government agency. This guide is free information, not legal advice. Each fact links to the official source and shows the date we checked it.

Passport

Damaged U.S. passport: what counts and how to replace it

Q: Will Passmere ask for my Social Security number?

No. (under review — check the official source) Passmere never asks for it: you write it on the form yourself.

What counts as a damaged passport, why you replace it in person with Form DS-11, what to bring and what the government charges, with official sources.

Updated October 2, 20264 min read

What counts as damage

under review — see the official source ³

Look at your passport page by page, including the photo page. Not sure where yours falls? Check the official source or call the National Passport Information Center at under review — see the official source ⁴.

Why you apply in person

under review — see the official source ⁵

A damaged passport is on that list, even if you renewed by mail before. Acceptance facilities are often post offices, libraries or local government offices. Find one near you with the official search: under review — see the official source ⁶.

What to bring

under review — see the official source ⁷

On top of that list, bring two things that are specific to your case:

The damaged passport itself, as it is.
A statement that explains how the passport was damaged, signed by you.

under review — see the official source ⁸

Not sure about the photo? Read Passport photo requirements.

Step by step

Compare your passport with the official description of damage above.
Fill in Form DS-11 on a computer and print it single-sided. Do not sign it yet.
Write a short statement that explains how and when the passport was damaged, then sign and date it.
Gather your original proof of U.S. citizenship, your photo ID, the photocopies and one passport photo.
Find an acceptance facility near you and check how it receives applicants.
Go in person with the damaged passport, sign Form DS-11 when the agent asks you to, and pay the application fee and the acceptance fee separately.
Watch your email for status updates and keep your receipt.

Checklist

What to bring to the acceptance facility

Form DS-11, printed single-sided and not signed
The damaged passport
Your signed statement explaining the damage
Original proof of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy
Photo ID and a front-and-back photocopy
One passport photo, not stapled
Check or money order for the application fee, payable to "U.S. Department of State"
Separate payment for the acceptance fee

Do and don't

Do

Bring the damaged passport as it is, even if pages came loose.
Keep it flat and dry in an envelope until you hand it in.
Keep copies of your statement and of everything else you hand in.

Don't

Don't throw the damaged passport away: it goes in with your application.
Don't use a mail renewal (Form DS-82) for a passport that is damaged.
Don't sign Form DS-11 before the acceptance agent asks you to.

Fees

These are government fees. They are paid to the U.S. Department of State and to the acceptance facility, not to Passmere.

What	Paid to	Fee
Adult passport book	U.S. Department of State	under review — see the official source ¹
Adult passport card	U.S. Department of State	under review — see the official source ⁹
Adult book and card	U.S. Department of State	under review — see the official source ¹⁰
Acceptance fee (every Form DS-11)	Acceptance facility	under review — see the official source ²
Expedited service (optional)	U.S. Department of State	under review — see the official source ¹¹
Faster return delivery (optional, book only)	U.S. Department of State	under review — see the official source ¹²
Larger book with more visa pages	U.S. Department of State	under review — see the official source ¹³

under review — see the official source ¹⁴ under review — see the official source ¹⁵

All government fees, including those for children, are in Passport fees.

How long it takes

Routine processing: under review — see the official source ¹⁶.
Expedited processing: under review — see the official source ¹⁷.
Mailing can add up to under review — see the official source ¹⁸ each way.
Your proof of citizenship comes back up to under review — see the official source ¹⁹ after the new passport.

under review — see the official source ²⁰

To learn how to ask for that appointment, read Urgent travel: getting a passport fast.

Frequently asked questions

My passport cover is bent and a few pages are folded. Is it damaged?

Normal wear like that does not count as damage. If you meet every condition for a mail renewal, you can renew with Form DS-82: see Renew your passport by mail.

Can I still travel with a damaged passport?

Passmere cannot tell you whether an airline or a border officer will accept it; that decision is theirs. If your passport fits the official description of damage, replace it before you travel, and check the official source if you are unsure.

What should my signed statement say?

Explain in plain words how and when the passport was damaged, then sign and date it. Keep it short and factual.

Will Passmere ask for my Social Security number?

No. under review — see the official source ²¹ Passmere never asks for it: you write it on the form yourself.

Can Passmere hand in my application for me?

No. You sign Form DS-11 in front of an acceptance agent, so you hand it in yourself, in person. Passmere prepares the paperwork from your answers and a person checks every page; you sign it and submit it. To follow your application afterwards, see Track your passport application: under review — see the official source ²².

Sources and verification

Government application fee — adult passport book — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
Acceptance facility fee (in-person applications) — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
What counts as a damaged passport — U.S. Department of State: Apply for Your Adult Passport. under review — see the official source
National Passport Information Center (NPIC) — U.S. Department of State: Get a Passport If You Have a Life-or-Death Emergency. under review — see the official source
Who must apply in person with Form DS-11 — U.S. Department of State: Apply for Your Adult Passport. under review — see the official source
Official acceptance facility search — USAGov (U.S. General Services Administration): Apply for a new adult passport. under review — see the official source
What to bring for Form DS-11 — U.S. Department of State: Apply for Your Adult Passport. under review — see the official source
When to sign Form DS-11 — U.S. Department of State: Apply for Your Adult Passport. under review — see the official source
Government application fee — adult passport card — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
Government application fee — adult book and card — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
Expedited service fee — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
1–3 day return delivery fee — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
Extra cost for the large passport book — U.S. Department of State: Renew Your Passport by Mail. under review — see the official source
How to pay the government fees — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
Refunds of passport fees — U.S. Department of State: Passport Fees. under review — see the official source
Routine processing time — U.S. Department of State: Get Your Processing Time. under review — see the official source
Expedited processing time — U.S. Department of State: Get Your Processing Time. under review — see the official source
Mailing time each way — U.S. Department of State: Get Your Processing Time. under review — see the official source
Return of your supporting documents — U.S. Department of State: Renew Your Passport by Mail. under review — see the official source
Urgent travel: passport agency appointment — U.S. Department of State: Get Your Passport Fast. under review — see the official source
Social Security number on the form — U.S. Department of State: Form DS-82 (edition 04-2025) — instructions. under review — see the official source
Official application status site — U.S. Department of State: Get Your Processing Time. under review — see the official source