To replace a damaged U.S. passport, you file Form DS-11 in person at a passport acceptance facility, the same way a first-time applicant would. You cannot mail in a renewal for a damaged book. Bring the damaged passport, a signed statement explaining how it was damaged, proof of citizenship, a photo ID, one passport photo, and payment. An adult passport book costs $165 in 2026, and routine processing takes four to six weeks before mailing.
Is Your Passport Actually Damaged
Normal wear does not require replacement. The State Department specifically tells applicants not to replace a passport for normal wear and tear.1U.S. Department of State. Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Services A little page curl or scuffing from years of stamps is fine.
Damage that does require replacement includes water damage that makes ink bleed or pages stick, tears on the data page, a cracked laminate over your photo, a separated cover, unauthorized markings (including a child’s drawings or stickers), a non-functioning chip, and anything obscuring your photo or the machine-readable zone at the bottom of the biographical page.2U.S. Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual. 8 FAM 102.2 Regulatory Authorities The practical test: can a border agent read every printed field and scan the machine-readable zone without trouble? If not, replace the book before you travel.
What to Bring
You’ll complete Form DS-11, the same application used for a brand-new passport.3U.S. Department of State. Application for a U.S. Passport (DS-11) Fill it out ahead of time online or on paper, but don’t sign it until you’re in front of the acceptance agent. Along with the form, bring:
- The damaged passport itself, no matter how bad it looks. The State Department cancels it and typically mails it back separately, marked invalid.
- A signed damage statement. A few factual sentences explaining when and how the damage happened, signed and dated. Something like “left in pants pocket during laundry cycle” is enough.1U.S. Department of State. Frequently Asked Questions About Passport Services
- Proof of citizenship. If the damaged passport is still readable enough to prove your citizenship, it can serve as the evidence itself. If biographical data or the photo is illegible, bring a certified birth certificate or naturalization certificate with a raised seal.4U.S. Department of State. Citizenship Evidence
- A photo ID such as a valid driver’s license or government-issued ID.
- One passport photo taken within the last six months, 2 × 2 inches, color, plain white or off-white background, neutral expression or closed-mouth smile with both eyes open.5U.S. Department of State. Passport Photos
The damage statement trips people up more than it should. It doesn’t need to be formal or long. Its purpose is to give the State Department context showing the damage was accidental.
Where to Apply
Applications for a damaged replacement must be made in person at an authorized passport acceptance facility.6eCFR. 22 CFR 51.21 – Execution of Passport Application These sit inside post offices, public libraries, county clerk offices, and some municipal buildings. The State Department’s locator at iafdb.travel.state.gov shows the nearest facility and whether an appointment is required.
At your visit, an agent watches you sign the DS-11, checks your photo ID, reviews your documents, and administers an oath. Show up with everything assembled. An incomplete package can be rejected, meaning another trip. Call ahead about payment: many facilities require a check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State for the application fee, plus a separate payment to the facility for the execution fee.
2026 Fees
The fees below reflect the February 2026 schedule.7U.S. Department of State. United States Passport Fees
- Adult passport book (16+): $130 application + $35 execution = $165
- Adult passport card (16+): $30 application + $35 execution = $65
- Child passport book (under 16): $100 application + $35 execution = $135
- Expedited processing: add $60 per application
- 1-to-3 day return delivery: $22.058U.S. Department of State. Passport Fees
The application fee goes to the Department of State; the execution fee goes to the acceptance facility. That usually means two separate payments.
How Long It Takes
Routine processing runs four to six weeks. Expedited processing runs two to three weeks. Neither figure includes mailing, which can add up to two weeks on each leg.9U.S. Department of State. How to Get My U.S. Passport Fast Paying for 1-to-3 day return delivery only shortens the outbound trip back to you. If your travel date is close, pair expedited processing with faster return delivery. If it’s very close, a regional passport agency appointment is the only reliable path.
If You’re Traveling Soon
Regional passport agencies serve applicants with international travel inside 14 calendar days or a foreign visa need inside 28 calendar days.10U.S. Department of State. Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency Appointments are required, and slots fill fast during peak travel season, so book online as soon as you know you have a problem.
Life-or-death emergencies involving an immediate family member abroad move the fastest. If a parent, child, spouse, sibling, or grandparent is critically ill or has died and you need to travel within a few business days, call the State Department’s emergency line. You’ll need documentation of the emergency (a death certificate, a hospital statement about the family member’s condition, or a statement from a mortuary) along with proof of imminent travel such as a flight itinerary. Regular fees and the $60 expedite fee still apply.
Replacing a Child’s Damaged Passport
Children under 16 use the same DS-11 process, with one big addition: both parents or legal guardians must appear in person with the child at the acceptance facility and consent to the application.11U.S. Department of State. Apply for a Child’s Passport Under 16 If one parent can’t attend, you’ll need a notarized statement of consent from the absent parent (Form DS-3053) or documented proof of sole custody.
A child’s passport book costs $135 at the standard rate, plus $60 for expedited service.7U.S. Department of State. United States Passport Fees Children’s passports are only valid for five years, so a damaged replacement stings more per year. Bring the child’s certified birth certificate. Damaged children’s books almost always need a backup citizenship document because they take more abuse than adult passports do.
If It Happens Abroad
Discovering damage mid-trip puts you in a tougher spot, but the process is similar. Apply in person at the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate with the DS-11, a signed damage statement, and supporting documents. Routine processing at embassies generally runs four to six weeks, though many posts can expedite in genuine emergencies. If you’re traveling onward within days, contact the embassy about an urgent appointment.
Fees mirror domestic fees, but payment methods vary. Some posts require online payment through pay.gov before your appointment; others accept cash in local currency. Check the specific embassy’s website before showing up, because each publishes its own appointment system and payment instructions.