Passport question
Aug 9th 2006 | 6:50 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Passport question
I will be traveling to Germany in late October. I have a US passport
which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
photograph. The last time I went to Germany via Schengen border control
in Iceland, the border control agent in Iceland asked me for a back up
ID (my Massachusetts ID worked fine) and on my way back to the US (I
had to go through the Icelandic border on my way from from Germany to
get my connecting flight to the US) the Icelandic border control agent
stamped it, smiled and said "Oh, looks like it's time for a new
passport!". When I went through US Border Control, they scanned the
barcode on my passport and made no comments about its condition. It's
not in that bad of condition other than being worn. It clearly
establishes my identity and proves my citizenship and none of the
information is missing. My question is: should I replace my passport
before I go or if I risk it with the current one; if they question the
validity of my passport, is there some recourse in using backup (IE,
contacting the State Department at the consulate in Frankfurt, my long
form birth cirtificate, voter registration card and drivers' license,
which I carry when I travel anyhow)?
which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
photograph. The last time I went to Germany via Schengen border control
in Iceland, the border control agent in Iceland asked me for a back up
ID (my Massachusetts ID worked fine) and on my way back to the US (I
had to go through the Icelandic border on my way from from Germany to
get my connecting flight to the US) the Icelandic border control agent
stamped it, smiled and said "Oh, looks like it's time for a new
passport!". When I went through US Border Control, they scanned the
barcode on my passport and made no comments about its condition. It's
not in that bad of condition other than being worn. It clearly
establishes my identity and proves my citizenship and none of the
information is missing. My question is: should I replace my passport
before I go or if I risk it with the current one; if they question the
validity of my passport, is there some recourse in using backup (IE,
contacting the State Department at the consulate in Frankfurt, my long
form birth cirtificate, voter registration card and drivers' license,
which I carry when I travel anyhow)?
Aug 9th 2006 | 6:58 am
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
:
> [...] should I replace my passport before I go
Nope.
"So sorry, Officer. My passport has been in the laundry last week.
Luckily, I managed to get it out after some ten minutes. There wasn't
enough time to get it replaced."
> [...] should I replace my passport before I go
Nope.
"So sorry, Officer. My passport has been in the laundry last week.
Luckily, I managed to get it out after some ten minutes. There wasn't
enough time to get it replaced."
Aug 9th 2006 | 7:27 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
[email protected] wrote in news:1155149448.075022.97690
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> I will be traveling to Germany in late October. I have a US passport
> which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
> worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
> photograph. The last time I went to Germany via Schengen border control
> in Iceland, the border control agent in Iceland asked me for a back up
> ID (my Massachusetts ID worked fine) and on my way back to the US (I
> had to go through the Icelandic border on my way from from Germany to
> get my connecting flight to the US) the Icelandic border control agent
> stamped it, smiled and said "Oh, looks like it's time for a new
> passport!". When I went through US Border Control, they scanned the
> barcode on my passport and made no comments about its condition. It's
> not in that bad of condition other than being worn. It clearly
> establishes my identity and proves my citizenship and none of the
> information is missing. My question is: should I replace my passport
> before I go or if I risk it with the current one; if they question the
> validity of my passport, is there some recourse in using backup (IE,
> contacting the State Department at the consulate in Frankfurt, my long
> form birth cirtificate, voter registration card and drivers' license,
> which I carry when I travel anyhow)?
i would replace it.
@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> I will be traveling to Germany in late October. I have a US passport
> which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
> worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
> photograph. The last time I went to Germany via Schengen border control
> in Iceland, the border control agent in Iceland asked me for a back up
> ID (my Massachusetts ID worked fine) and on my way back to the US (I
> had to go through the Icelandic border on my way from from Germany to
> get my connecting flight to the US) the Icelandic border control agent
> stamped it, smiled and said "Oh, looks like it's time for a new
> passport!". When I went through US Border Control, they scanned the
> barcode on my passport and made no comments about its condition. It's
> not in that bad of condition other than being worn. It clearly
> establishes my identity and proves my citizenship and none of the
> information is missing. My question is: should I replace my passport
> before I go or if I risk it with the current one; if they question the
> validity of my passport, is there some recourse in using backup (IE,
> contacting the State Department at the consulate in Frankfurt, my long
> form birth cirtificate, voter registration card and drivers' license,
> which I carry when I travel anyhow)?
i would replace it.
Aug 9th 2006 | 7:32 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
mini Mini:
> [email protected] wrote
> > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
>
> i would replace it.
What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
> [email protected] wrote
> > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
>
> i would replace it.
What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
Aug 9th 2006 | 8:21 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
On 9 Aug 2006 11:50:48 -0700, [email protected] wrote:
>I will be traveling to Germany in late October. I have a US passport
>which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
>worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
>photograph. The last time I went to Germany via Schengen border control
>in Iceland, the border control agent in Iceland asked me for a back up
>ID (my Massachusetts ID worked fine) and on my way back to the US (I
>had to go through the Icelandic border on my way from from Germany to
>get my connecting flight to the US) the Icelandic border control agent
>stamped it, smiled and said "Oh, looks like it's time for a new
>passport!". When I went through US Border Control, they scanned the
>barcode on my passport and made no comments about its condition. It's
>not in that bad of condition other than being worn. It clearly
>establishes my identity and proves my citizenship and none of the
>information is missing. My question is: should I replace my passport
>before I go or if I risk it with the current one; if they question the
>validity of my passport, is there some recourse in using backup (IE,
>contacting the State Department at the consulate in Frankfurt, my long
>form birth cirtificate, voter registration card and drivers' license,
>which I carry when I travel anyhow)?
No, passports aren't really important around Europe. Just wear a
t-shirt with the Belgian flag on it, and you'll be waved through.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
>I will be traveling to Germany in late October. I have a US passport
>which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
>worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
>photograph. The last time I went to Germany via Schengen border control
>in Iceland, the border control agent in Iceland asked me for a back up
>ID (my Massachusetts ID worked fine) and on my way back to the US (I
>had to go through the Icelandic border on my way from from Germany to
>get my connecting flight to the US) the Icelandic border control agent
>stamped it, smiled and said "Oh, looks like it's time for a new
>passport!". When I went through US Border Control, they scanned the
>barcode on my passport and made no comments about its condition. It's
>not in that bad of condition other than being worn. It clearly
>establishes my identity and proves my citizenship and none of the
>information is missing. My question is: should I replace my passport
>before I go or if I risk it with the current one; if they question the
>validity of my passport, is there some recourse in using backup (IE,
>contacting the State Department at the consulate in Frankfurt, my long
>form birth cirtificate, voter registration card and drivers' license,
>which I carry when I travel anyhow)?
No, passports aren't really important around Europe. Just wear a
t-shirt with the Belgian flag on it, and you'll be waved through.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
Aug 9th 2006 | 8:51 am
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
> mini Mini:
> > [email protected] wrote
> > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
> >
> > i would replace it.
>
> What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
Approx. $90-100 US.
> mini Mini:
> > [email protected] wrote
> > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
> >
> > i would replace it.
>
> What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
Approx. $90-100 US.
Aug 9th 2006 | 10:01 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
[email protected] wrote:
> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
> > mini Mini:
> > > [email protected] wrote
> >
> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
> > >
> > > i would replace it.
> >
> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
> Approx. $90-100 US.
I had my passport laundered last year and had to replace it as if I
was applying for a new one. (Same fees as a new one) I also had to
return the mutilated old one with a letter of explaination of how it
got that way. The people at the post office and our county court house
didn't know the procedures and it took about three days until I finally
got the correct procedure..
heres a website if you abroad that might help
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...cies_1197.html
This will also give you all the so called offical information on
getting and renewing your passport.
> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
> > mini Mini:
> > > [email protected] wrote
> >
> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
> > >
> > > i would replace it.
> >
> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
> Approx. $90-100 US.
I had my passport laundered last year and had to replace it as if I
was applying for a new one. (Same fees as a new one) I also had to
return the mutilated old one with a letter of explaination of how it
got that way. The people at the post office and our county court house
didn't know the procedures and it took about three days until I finally
got the correct procedure..
heres a website if you abroad that might help
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...cies_1197.html
This will also give you all the so called offical information on
getting and renewing your passport.
Aug 9th 2006 | 5:35 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
:
>
> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
> > mini Mini:
> > > [email protected] wrote
> >
> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
> > >
> > > i would replace it.
> >
> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
>
> Approx. $90-100 US.
Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
officials.
>
> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
> > mini Mini:
> > > [email protected] wrote
> >
> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
> > >
> > > i would replace it.
> >
> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
>
> Approx. $90-100 US.
Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
officials.
Aug 9th 2006 | 6:14 pm
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
"Erick T. Barkhuis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] t...
> :
>> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
>> > mini Mini:
>> > > [email protected] wrote
>> >
>> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
>> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
>> > >
>> > > i would replace it.
>> >
>> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
>> Approx. $90-100 US.
> Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
> officials.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html
It's less than the airplane ticket to go overseas. If you can not afford
this (or even look it up) maybe you should not be travelling overseas. I
wonder if anyone who posts to this group has actually travelled anywhere.
Don't answer. I don't care. Just got back from Egypt, still jet-lagged and
walking like an Egyptian. It's humor, folks.
news:[email protected] t...
> :
>> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
>> > mini Mini:
>> > > [email protected] wrote
>> >
>> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
>> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
>> > >
>> > > i would replace it.
>> >
>> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
>> Approx. $90-100 US.
> Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
> officials.
http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html
It's less than the airplane ticket to go overseas. If you can not afford
this (or even look it up) maybe you should not be travelling overseas. I
wonder if anyone who posts to this group has actually travelled anywhere.
Don't answer. I don't care. Just got back from Egypt, still jet-lagged and
walking like an Egyptian. It's humor, folks.
Aug 9th 2006 | 7:30 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
Billzz:
> I wonder if anyone who posts to this group has actually travelled
> anywhere.
Some of us don't have to, because they are already there.
--
Erick
[already living in the beautiful county of Bentheim, running
B&B Ardane - http://bed-and-breakfast.ardane.com/ ]
> I wonder if anyone who posts to this group has actually travelled
> anywhere.
Some of us don't have to, because they are already there.
--
Erick
[already living in the beautiful county of Bentheim, running
B&B Ardane - http://bed-and-breakfast.ardane.com/ ]
Aug 9th 2006 | 8:40 pm
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
On Thu, 10 Aug 2006 07:35:18 +0200, Erick T. Barkhuis
<[email protected]> wrote:
>:
>>
>> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
>> > mini Mini:
>> > > [email protected] wrote
>> >
>> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
>> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
>> > >
>> > > i would replace it.
>> >
>> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
>>
>> Approx. $90-100 US.
>Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
>officials.
If the lamination has come apart I'd do it now.
--
Martin
<[email protected]> wrote:
>:
>>
>> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
>> > mini Mini:
>> > > [email protected] wrote
>> >
>> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
>> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
>> > >
>> > > i would replace it.
>> >
>> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
>>
>> Approx. $90-100 US.
>Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
>officials.
If the lamination has come apart I'd do it now.
--
Martin
Aug 9th 2006 | 8:55 pm
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
Am 9 Aug 2006 11:50:48 -0700 schrieb [email protected]:
> I will be traveling to Germany in late October. I have a US passport
> which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
> worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
> photograph.
Thats not good, as theoretically you could have put another photo in.
> The last time I went to Germany via Schengen border control
> in Iceland, the border control agent in Iceland asked me for a back up
> ID (my Massachusetts ID worked fine)
Problem is that the border guards don't really know what a real
Massachusetts ID has to look like.
> My question is: should I replace my passport
> before I go
I would do that, especially with the latest terror-scare in Britain they
get a bit nervous about things like this. When the passport looks like
someone could have tampered with the photo, it could be refused.
> if they question the
> validity of my passport, is there some recourse in using backup (IE,
> contacting the State Department at the consulate in Frankfurt, my long
> form birth cirtificate
There is no photo in your birth certificate, so that wouldn't help at all.
In Europe all ID's have to be with some kind of photo. A birth certificate
is worthless for things like crossing borders.
So I'd soggest you fork out the 100$ and get yourself a new passport. Then
it'll last 'till 2016 anyway.
Regards,
Frank
> I will be traveling to Germany in late October. I have a US passport
> which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
> worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
> photograph.
Thats not good, as theoretically you could have put another photo in.
> The last time I went to Germany via Schengen border control
> in Iceland, the border control agent in Iceland asked me for a back up
> ID (my Massachusetts ID worked fine)
Problem is that the border guards don't really know what a real
Massachusetts ID has to look like.
> My question is: should I replace my passport
> before I go
I would do that, especially with the latest terror-scare in Britain they
get a bit nervous about things like this. When the passport looks like
someone could have tampered with the photo, it could be refused.
> if they question the
> validity of my passport, is there some recourse in using backup (IE,
> contacting the State Department at the consulate in Frankfurt, my long
> form birth cirtificate
There is no photo in your birth certificate, so that wouldn't help at all.
In Europe all ID's have to be with some kind of photo. A birth certificate
is worthless for things like crossing borders.
So I'd soggest you fork out the 100$ and get yourself a new passport. Then
it'll last 'till 2016 anyway.
Regards,
Frank
Aug 9th 2006 | 9:18 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
Martin <[email protected]> wrote in news:57sld2dtlgap7kef7s0c1cijldnafpo7c5@
4ax.com:
> On Thu, 10 Aug 2006 07:35:18 +0200, Erick T. Barkhuis
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>:
>>>
>>> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
>>> > mini Mini:
>>> > > [email protected] wrote
>>> >
>>> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
>>> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
>>> > >
>>> > > i would replace it.
>>> >
>>> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
>>>
>>> Approx. $90-100 US.
>>Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
>>officials.
>
> If the lamination has come apart I'd do it now.
especially as the OP said has seperated at the photograph.
4ax.com:
> On Thu, 10 Aug 2006 07:35:18 +0200, Erick T. Barkhuis
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>:
>>>
>>> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
>>> > mini Mini:
>>> > > [email protected] wrote
>>> >
>>> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
>>> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
>>> > >
>>> > > i would replace it.
>>> >
>>> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
>>>
>>> Approx. $90-100 US.
>>Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
>>officials.
>
> If the lamination has come apart I'd do it now.
especially as the OP said has seperated at the photograph.
Aug 9th 2006 | 9:59 pm
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
On Thu, 10 Aug 2006 10:55:52 +0200, Frank Hucklenbroich
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Am 9 Aug 2006 11:50:48 -0700 schrieb [email protected]:
>> I will be traveling to Germany in late October. I have a US passport
>> which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
>> worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
>> photograph.
>Thats not good, as theoretically you could have put another photo in.
That's what Dutch immigration said to my daughter when her passport
was in the same condition. She got a new one.
--
Martin
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Am 9 Aug 2006 11:50:48 -0700 schrieb [email protected]:
>> I will be traveling to Germany in late October. I have a US passport
>> which was issued in 1999 and will expire in 2009, however it is a bit
>> worn and dogeared and the laminate has seperated from part of the
>> photograph.
>Thats not good, as theoretically you could have put another photo in.
That's what Dutch immigration said to my daughter when her passport
was in the same condition. She got a new one.
--
Martin
Aug 10th 2006 | 3:59 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Passport question
Billzz wrote:
> "Erick T. Barkhuis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected] t...
> > :
> >>
> >> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
> >> > mini Mini:
> >> > > [email protected] wrote
> >> >
> >> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> >> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
> >> > >
> >> > > i would replace it.
> >> >
> >> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
> >>
> >> Approx. $90-100 US.
> >
> > Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
> > officials.
> http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html
> It's less than the airplane ticket to go overseas. If you can not afford
> this (or even look it up) maybe you should not be travelling overseas. I
> wonder if anyone who posts to this group has actually travelled anywhere.
> Don't answer. I don't care. Just got back from Egypt, still jet-lagged and
> walking like an Egyptian. It's humor, folks.
Read the question. It was not about being able to afford it. For some
reason, I always get some answer like this on these boards, completely
unrelated to the question at hand with some bizarre condescending
admonishment or useless advice.
> "Erick T. Barkhuis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected] t...
> > :
> >>
> >> Erick T. Barkhuis wrote:
> >> > mini Mini:
> >> > > [email protected] wrote
> >> >
> >> > > > I have a US passport which was issued in 1999 and will expire
> >> > > > in 2009, however it is a bit worn and dogeared
> >> > >
> >> > > i would replace it.
> >> >
> >> > What are the costs to get it replaced, anyway?
> >>
> >> Approx. $90-100 US.
> >
> > Then I wouldn't replace it until ordered to do so by authorized
> > officials.
> http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/fees/fees_837.html
> It's less than the airplane ticket to go overseas. If you can not afford
> this (or even look it up) maybe you should not be travelling overseas. I
> wonder if anyone who posts to this group has actually travelled anywhere.
> Don't answer. I don't care. Just got back from Egypt, still jet-lagged and
> walking like an Egyptian. It's humor, folks.
Read the question. It was not about being able to afford it. For some
reason, I always get some answer like this on these boards, completely
unrelated to the question at hand with some bizarre condescending
admonishment or useless advice.
