#Damaged passport how to
#Damaged passport free

These colleagues could be from staff working in: For example, they may have written an explanation on a document receipt or the customer’s envelope (if it was damaged in the post). If we receive an application to renew a passport and we discover it is damaged, you must check if another colleague has already given an explanation. On some passports, how it happened will be obvious and there will be no need to contact the customer, in others the customer must tell us what happened to their passport. Confirming how the passport was damagedīefore we issue a replacement passport, we need to understand how the damage occurred. The polycarbonate personal information page in a blue e-passport has snapped or has pieces missingĬFT will deal with the application using Counter Fraud: casework and referral types guidance. Missing personal details page, observation or visa page (see risk indicators) You must refer the application to the Counter Fraud team (CFT) if you or the DMS discover potential fraudulent tampering on a British passport, for example:Ī British passport has damage due to fraudulent tampering

Dealing with passports with fraudulent tampering When DMS staff identify damage (or potential fraudulent tampering) on any passport they will record the information on the Digital Application Processing (DAP) application and a DMS: British passport validation form. For example, the passport may have been sent as a supporting document on another application and the customer is not currently applying to replace it. There may be times where the customer does not tell us their passport is damaged and DMS staff identify the damage (or potential fraudulent tampering) during their validation checks. When they attend an appointment at a public counter

#Damaged passport free

They can tell us:Īs part of their application (for example, online as a free text option, at section 8 on a paper application form) When customers apply to renew or replace their old passport, they can tell us if their passport is damaged and how the damage happened. How we identify damage or fraudulent tampering Is not at risk because they are vulnerable Is entitled to hold a British passport (for example, they are not banned from holding a British passport because of a court order) We will not issue any passport until we are satisfied the customer: Damaged passports can mask fraudulent tampering and the examiner or Document Management Service must carefully check the passport for any indication of this. HM Passport Office must check all British passports sent by customers for renewal or replacement or as supporting evidence for an application, for signs of damage or fraudulent tampering. This section tells HM Passport Office staff working on the Application Management System (AMS) why they must check the customer’s British machine readable passport for damage or potential fraudulent tampering. How we deal with damaged British passports This guidance has been updated to reflect the change in our sovereign from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to His Majesty King Charles III. Published for Home Office staff on 27 September 2022Ĭhanges from last version of this guidance Publicationīelow is information on when this version of the guidance was published: If you notice any formatting errors in this guidance (broken links, spelling mistakes and so on) or have any comments about the layout or navigability of the guidance then you can email the Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards. If you have any questions about the guidance and your line manager or senior caseworker cannot help you or you think that the guidance has factual errors then email the Guidance & Quality, Operating Standards. This guidance does not cover Old Blue (hardback style) passports. Machine readable passports have a burgundy or dark blue (soft) cover.

#Damaged passport how to

This guidance tells HM Passport Office staff how to assess British machine readable passports for damage, wear and tear or fraudulent tampering and how to handle applications to replace these passports. Contents About: Damaged British passports This guidance tells HM Passport Office staff how to check a damaged British passport, sent as a supporting document and how to replace a damaged British passport.