Indian Passport first page ripped - is this considered 'damaged'?
Hi All, My passport first page got ripped. Front side of this page has a Indian emblem and backside is a blank with no stamps or Visas. Other pages including visas, personal details, POE stamps everything looks good. Basically a brand new passport with more than 7 years validity. Will this be considered as damaged? Please help me with your answers ASAP as I have a travel plan to India end of this month for my own wedding.
This damage happened accidentally when I was scanning the pages.
Best Answer
Be Safe: Get a New Passport
I think it is better to err on the safe side here and get a replacement passport. Whilst it might be a minor damage, page rips aren't usually considered as wear from normal usage.
Identify a Damaged Passport
I checked the definitions of damaged passports and there seems to be a common denominator across countries. A distinction is made between normal wear and damage. Turns out that significant tears are not considered normal wear. Quoting from the US Department of State, Bureau of Foreign Affairs website:
If your passport has been significantly damaged, especially the book cover or the page displaying your personal data and photo, you will need to apply for a new passport. Conditions that may constitute damage requiring you to replace your passport include water damage, a significant tear, unofficial markings on the data page, missing visa pages (torn out), a hole punch, or other injuries.
Normal wear of a U.S. passport is expected and likely does not constitute "damage." For instance normal wear includes the bend of a passport after being carried in your back pocket or fanning of the visa pages after extensive opening and closing.
Indian Regulation
According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Consular, Passport and Visa Division:
Q1: What is the definition of damaged passport?
A: Damaged passport is classified further based on the extent of damage, i.e.:
Damaged Passport - Passport number is readable, name is legible and photo is intact
Damaged beyond recognition
Luckily enough though, because yours is not extensively damaged, you can apply for an urgent replacement passport under the Tatkaal scheme:
Q6: My passport booklet is damaged. I want to go abroad on urgent basis. What should I do?
A: In case your passport has not been damaged beyond recognition, i.e. passport number is legible, name is legible and photo is intact, then you can apply for re-issue of passport under the Tatkaal scheme. But, if passport has been damaged beyond recognition, then you cannot apply under the Tatkaal scheme. In that case, you need to visit Passport Officer at your nearest Passport Seva Kendra to get the passport on urgent basis.
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What is considered a damaged Indian passport?
Your passport is considered damaged if the passport number is unreadable, the name is illegible, the photo is not intact or it is otherwise damaged beyond recognition, mutilated or smudged entries or washed out or torn or apparently visible damaged.Can I tear a page from my Indian passport?
Yes, it is illegal as it will come under the category of Damaged Passport.Can you tear off a page from passport?
Answer: If you want to know if you can remove the visa pages in your passport before mailing in it, the answer is "No". Your old passport will be returned to you after you application is processed.What is the meaning of damaged passport?
Damaged passport is classified based on the extent of damage, i.e.: Damaged Passport - Passport number is readable, name is legible and Photo is intact. Damaged beyond recognition/ mutilated/smudged entries/washed out.Passport problems: Ripped document ruins couple's vacation
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