"It’s basically like a little tear on the bottom corner, and I tried to take it to Service Canada and they said it wasn’t damaged enough to be replaced"
Sounds like the Canadian government not replacing the damage passport when she requested it led to this.
"If you damage your passport, apply for a new one. A damaged passport can lead to long delays at passport checkpoints. You may also be unable to cross the border or board a plane."
Edit: thinking about this some more... They buried the lede on this. This is the real headline here. Service Canada needs to replace damaged passports, full stop. If they won't, turn around and say, "oops, I lost my passport! I need a new one, thanks!"
Loosing your passport is a pain. Getting it replaced requires that you go plead an oath and have that oath notarized by a notary public or lawyer. Time and money but mostly time.
Similar to me. My passport got wet when I was in the rain. The lady at the Canadian passport office literally yelled at me for damaging it. I was surprised, but they seem to take it very seriously.
Yeah, this can happen pretty much everywhere, unfortunately. If your passport is damaged, get it replaced before you travel. If it gets damaged while you're travelling? Good luck... There's a good chance you'll run into a border guard who will give you a hard time.
14 Comments
Washedupcynic@lemmy.ca · 34 pts · 256d
"It’s basically like a little tear on the bottom corner, and I tried to take it to Service Canada and they said it wasn’t damaged enough to be replaced"
Sounds like the Canadian government not replacing the damage passport when she requested it led to this.
troyunrau@lemmy.ca · 9 pts · 256d
Yeah, would be an interesting lawsuit if she had proof of that statement.
JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca · 8 pts · 256d
I saw that too and found it very surprising. Even Canadian border guards might give you a hard time for that damage.
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/publications/bon-voyage-but#1
"If you damage your passport, apply for a new one. A damaged passport can lead to long delays at passport checkpoints. You may also be unable to cross the border or board a plane."
Edit: thinking about this some more... They buried the lede on this. This is the real headline here. Service Canada needs to replace damaged passports, full stop. If they won't, turn around and say, "oops, I lost my passport! I need a new one, thanks!"
deege@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 256d
Loosing your passport is a pain. Getting it replaced requires that you go plead an oath and have that oath notarized by a notary public or lawyer. Time and money but mostly time.
I found that damned thing a year later.
JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca · 3 pts · 256d
Yeah, but I think I would prefer that to giving a border guard an excuse...
Edit: or I guess it could accidentally go through the washer.
deege@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 256d
For sure.
I meant it more in that it’s not just “I lost it I need a new one” but your point is well taken.
JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 255d
Yours too!
NotMyOldRedditName@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 256d
Bring scissors. Oops, the tear got bigger!
CityPop@lemmy.today · 20 pts · 256d
Slightest bit of authority and people act like this.
jaselle@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 256d
"jobsworth," British slang for someone like that.
jaselle@lemmy.ca · 14 pts · 256d
Yeah one time my passport got slightly wet -- just enough to make it a bit crinkly -- and my gov't forced me to process it as "damaged" and pay a fine
BillyTheKid2@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 256d
Similar to me. My passport got wet when I was in the rain. The lady at the Canadian passport office literally yelled at me for damaging it. I was surprised, but they seem to take it very seriously.
JohnnyCanuck@lemmy.ca · 5 pts · 256d
Yeah, this can happen pretty much everywhere, unfortunately. If your passport is damaged, get it replaced before you travel. If it gets damaged while you're travelling? Good luck... There's a good chance you'll run into a border guard who will give you a hard time.
AGM@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 256d
I had a passport go through the wash in my jeans, twice. Kept using it.