Damaged Passport Replacement | Fast, Rush Service

Outline

Sam’s Passport Inc. expedites replacement passports for travelers with a damaged passport. You must apply as a new applicant using Form DS-11 at an acceptance facility. We review your documents, confirm everything is complete, and hand-deliver your sealed envelope to the U.S. Passport Agency in Houston.

What counts as a damaged passport?

A passport is considered damaged if it has:

Water damage, stains, or discoloration that makes information unreadable
Torn, missing, or separated pages
A damaged or detached cover
Unofficial markings, stamps, or alterations
Holes (other than official punch marks from the Passport Agency)

How the process works

Gather your documents
Collect every item listed in the Required Documents tab. Download and complete the DS-11 online (do not sign it yet) and Sam’s Request Form.
Visit an acceptance facility
Take your documents, including the damaged passport, to a designated U.S. Post Office, county clerk, or library. Find the nearest location at iafdb.travel.state.gov. The agent will swear you in, execute your documents, and seal them in an envelope.
Pay government fees
Pay two separate checks at the facility: one for the passport book and delivery, one for the local execution fee. Tell the clerk you are expediting so the correct fees are collected.
Ship to Sam's Passport
Place the sealed envelope, copies of all documents, your second DS-11, and Sam’s Request Form in a FedEx Priority Overnight package to our Houston office. Do not open the sealed envelope.
We deliver to the Passport Agency
Sam’s Passport hand-delivers your package to the U.S. Passport Agency and tracks your application through processing.
Receive your new passport
Your replacement passport ships back to you by the method selected on your application.

Your damaged passport will NOT be returned. The U.S. Passport Agency will shred the damaged passport as part of the replacement process. If you need any information from it (visa pages, stamps, passport number), make photocopies before submitting.

Each applicant must have a separate sealed envelope. Do not combine multiple applicants in one envelope.

Required documents

Gather every item below before visiting an acceptance facility. A missing document means a wasted trip and a delayed passport.

Proof of U.S. citizenship

You must submit one original document as primary evidence of citizenship. Photocopies are not accepted.

Accepted documents:

Certified U.S. birth certificate — must be issued by the city, county, or state of birth; must list bearer’s full name, date and place of birth, parent(s) full names; must have a date filed within one year of birth, registrar’s signature, and an embossed, impressed, or multicolored seal
Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship

Damaged passport

You must submit the damaged passport with your application. The Passport Agency will shred it during processing. It will NOT be returned to you. Make photocopies of all pages (especially visa pages) before submitting.

The damaged passport serves as supporting evidence of your previous passport record. Even if it is severely damaged, include it with your application.

Proof of identity

Present one of the following primary photo IDs and submit a photocopy:

Valid driver's licensePlus a second ID if issued in a different state than where you apply

Government IDValid city, state, or federal government-issued ID

Military IDValid U.S. military identification

If you do not have a primary ID, you may submit a combination of secondary IDs with photo and signature: expired driver’s license, state-issued ID card, student ID, or employment ID.

Passport photo

Provide 2 color passport-type photographs with a white background.

Size 2 × 2 inches, full face, plain white background with no shadows.
Eyes open and looking at the camera; neck, chin, nose, forehead, both ears, and eyes must be visible.
Natural expression with mouth closed, no smile or frown.
No glasses, hats, scarves, or hair clips (religious or medical exceptions need a statement).
Use printed photos from a reputable source, home or office printer copies are not accepted.
Invalid format photos will be rejected and delay submission.

DS-11 application form

Please download, fill out and print 2 copies of the Damaged Passport Visa application form

Complete the form at
On the final page, click CREATE FORM to generate a printable PDF
Print 2 copies — one for the sealed envelope, one for your FedEx package to Sam’s
Do not sign until the acceptance agent instructs you

A correctly formatted DS-11 has a barcode on the top left corner and “DS-11” on the bottom left.

Name-change documents (if applicable)

Only needed if your current name differs from your citizenship document. Submit one of:

Original or certified marriage license
Original or certified divorce decree
Original or certified court-order name change

Letter of Authorization

The letter MUST have an original signature. Faxes, scans, and photocopies are not accepted by the Passport Agency.

Print 2 copies — one goes inside the sealed envelope, one stays outside for Sam’s Passport
Call (713) 784-5501 for the authorization letter template

Proof of travel

A valid proof of travel is required for passport expedition:

Travel itineraryAirline booking or reservation showing your departure date

Letter of ExpediteCompany letter showing travel date. Download sample: Letter of Expedite

Sam's Request Form

Download, print, and complete Download Sam’s Request Form (PDF). Include it in your FedEx package.

Fees & processing

Fees include government passport charges (paid at the acceptance facility) and Sam’s Passport expedition service fee.

Government passport fees

Government fees are paid directly at the acceptance facility by check. The clerk will confirm the current amounts. Typical fees include:

Passport book application feePaid to the U.S. Department of State

Execution feePaid to the local acceptance facility (Post Office, clerk, or library)

Expedite feeAdditional government fee for expedited processing

Government fees change periodically. The acceptance agent will know the current amount at the time of your appointment.

Sam's Passport service fee

$400Includes document review, hand-delivery to the U.S. Passport Agency, tracking, and return coordination. Processing takes 5-7 business days from the date we receive your package.

Call (713) 784-5501 to confirm pricing and availability.

Processing time

Turnaround depends on your travel date and the service level:

Standard expedition5-7 business days from when we receive your documents

Emergency / same-weekFor travelers departing within days. Call to confirm availability.

Call (713) 784-5501 with your travel date so we can recommend the right service level and confirm current turnaround.

Ship your documents

Please use FedEx Priority Overnight or UPS Priority Overnight to ship your sealed envelope and documents to Sam’s Passport Inc. Call before you ship so we can confirm everything is in order.

Houston office

1811 Bering Drive, Suite #100
Houston, TX, 77057
Tel: (713) 784-5501

What to include in your FedEx package

Sealed envelopeThe sealed envelope from the acceptance facility. Do not open it.

Copies of all documentsPhotocopies of everything inside the sealed envelope

Second DS-11Your second printed copy of the DS-11 application

Sam's Request FormCompleted Sam’s Request Form

Proof of travelItinerary or Letter of Expedite showing your departure date

Letter of AuthorizationWith original signature. Call us for the template.

Clients nationwide can ship to our Houston office. Walk-in drop-off is also available at Suite 100.

Common questions about damaged passports

What form do I use for a damaged passport?

You must use Form DS-11, the same form used by first-time applicants. A damaged passport cannot be renewed by mail with Form DS-82. You must apply in person at an acceptance facility.

Will I get my damaged passport back?

No. The U.S. Passport Agency will shred your damaged passport during processing. It will not be returned. Make photocopies of all pages, especially any pages with valid visas or important stamps, before submitting your application.

How fast can Sam's Passport replace a damaged passport?

Standard expedition takes 5-7 business days after we receive your package. Emergency same-week service is available for urgent travel. Call (713) 784-5501 with your departure date.

What if my passport only has minor damage?

Any damage that affects the readability of the passport or the integrity of the binding may make it invalid for travel. If you are unsure whether your passport qualifies as damaged, call (713) 784-5501 and we can help you determine the best course of action.

Can I mail my documents from outside Houston?

Yes. Visit your local acceptance facility, get your documents sealed in an envelope, and ship the package to our Houston office by FedEx or UPS Priority Overnight. Call (713) 784-5501 before shipping so we can confirm everything is complete.

Where do I apply in person?

Visit any designated acceptance facility: U.S. Post Offices, county clerks, and public libraries. Find the nearest location at iafdb.travel.state.gov. The agent will swear you in, execute your documents, and seal them in an envelope for you to ship to Sam's Passport.

Damaged Passport Replacement in Houston