Passport Defaced

LightningBolt

Ok this is a slightly odd one, when I was away during the summer a guy I knew wrote something in my passport that's quite offensive. It's only two lines but mentions children. The guy is an idiot for doing it but there's little I can do about now, what's done is done. Anyway I'm off to New York/Boston/Toronto for the next ten days and I'm kinda worried that I could come in for extra treatment going through immigration if they stumble upon the actual page.

So, basically is having my passport defaced grounds for having a new one issued?

mikedragon32

Defacing a passport is an offence.

You really should get it replaced if possible.

samhail

getting a new one *could* happen over a few days a week i think. lost my passport a week before i was going to spain(though i may not have needed it)

Our man in Havana

You are best not to tempt fate with the US immigration authorities.
I would simply apply for a new passport asap. Go down to the passport office and pay the extra fee for fast processing.

mehfesto2

My sis used to work in Foreign Affairs - you can have one issued to you in a matter of hours.

Our man in Havana

Indeed you can. I believe it costs an extra €50 on top of the regular passport fee.

lb163

Dont even attempt to go to USA with that passport they will cause havoc for you, get it replaced before you go.

LightningBolt

Definitely going to get a new passport, it's actually one of the pages that has been defaced. So should I just head the Garda station in the morning and have my current passport voided and go straight away and get a new one issued? I remember my friend went to go away before and only realised two days beforehand that their passport was out of date! Thanks for the replies.

Zaph

You should also present your friend with the bill for replacing it. Might make him think a little harder in future before he starts messing with stuff as important as someone's passport.

quebec

could you nt just tear out that page. I know thats defacing it as well but would they notice cause there's about 30 pages there, isnt there?

Random

quebec wrote: »

could you nt just tear out that page. I know thats defacing it as well but would they notice cause there's about 30 pages there, isnt there?

Do NOT tear pages out of your passport. This will cause even more havoc. That's just poorly thought out "advice" to be giving anyone.

Zaph wrote: »

You should also present your friend with the bill for replacing it. Might make him think a little harder in future before he starts messing with stuff as important as someone's passport.

Just do this.

LightningBolt

Problem with the friend is that he's down in New Zealand now. He's apologised and said will put me up for the world cup down there in 2 years which. I wouldn't dream of tearing a page out, then they'd suspect something. Off to the Garda station in the morning and then I'll head straight to the passport office and get it sorted. I presume it'll be treated as a damaged passport?

líreacán

You shouldn't have to go to the Garda station. My passport got soaked and started to come apart, I was advised by Dublin Airport security to get it replaced (luckily immigration didn't have a problem THAT time), so for my next trip I just sent it off to the passport office with the application for a new one (the An Post 7 day dealio).

The passport office rang to confirm I actually wanted a new passport as there was still time left on it. Then it was sent back with my new passport, corners clipped and all!

LightningBolt

Grand so, only prob is that I fly out on Sunday! Completely my fault for leaving it this late, had planned to do it the week before xmas but an emergency came up on the day which left me no more time.

Again thanks.

Our man in Havana

You do need to have the application form signed by a Garda.

Croc

Bring your ticket with you and they should have a new one for you before the end of the week

LightningBolt

Thanks for mentioning that. Surprised that it completely slipped my mind.

líreacán

Bond-007 wrote: »

You do need to have the application form signed by a Garda.

Sorry, that is true. But they don't cancel the passport for you. Best of luck!!

Croc

Get two passport photos and be careful they are very particular what type you get not like previously, go to Garda Station, they should have application forms there, make sure you have your old passport with you and another form of ID as the garda is certifying you identity and he will not sign the forms unless he is happy its you.

Take the completed form and old passport to Passport office make sure and bring your ticket (as proof of travel) with you and they should have a new one for you before the end of the week.

Passport Office Website


You better look at this site as well if you are traveling to the States

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/esta.html?_flowExecutionKey=_c97685382-956A-B12D-0360-D0DC5856600E_k8D2C8B8A-6603-6D9C-637F-6BAA0AE1E1A3

Comes into force on 12th January i think

LightningBolt

One last question? Can it be at any Garda station or does it have to be your local one? Since I need to get photos taken I'd rather just hit town first thing in the morning and get them taken and have the forms signed in Pearse Street making my way over to the passport office.

Croc

Depends on who you meet in the Garda Station, they normally expect you to go to your local, but if you explain the position they should sign it for you in Pearse Street which would be the nearest to The Passport office in Dublin.

Our man in Havana

Pearse Street are well used to people from outside of Dublin needing passports in a hurry and they are normally happy to oblige.

dardevle

excellent advice throughout the thread...
but friend "defaced" my passport!wtf kind of
tool does that?!
i'd a slapped the jaws off of him just for starters.:mad: