Your damaged passport replacement packet, reviewed by APVI and submitted for you.
APVI helps you prepare your DS-11, damaged passport, citizenship evidence, ID, photo, and required documents before your local Acceptance Agent visit. After the agent seals your packet, send it to APVI so we can handle courier submission where eligible.
Questions? Speak with a damaged passport specialist: Speak with a damaged passport specialist:(800) 766-0452
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APVI is a private passport courier service, not a government agency. You may apply directly through the U.S. Department of State without using APVI. Start your damaged passport replacement today.
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Pick your replacement speed. We do the rest.
Every option includes document review, secure upload, shipping instructions, and status updates.
Emergency - 5 Business days
Emergency handling for damaged passport replacements with the tightest departure dates. Priority specialist review of your damaged book, damage statement, and citizenship evidence.
Rush - 10 Business days
Rush handling for trips a couple of weeks out. Full review of your damaged passport replacement packet before your Acceptance Agent visit.
Priority - 2 to 3 Weeks
Priority handling for travelers with a little more runway who still want specialist review and tracked shipping.
Passport customers trust APVI when timing matters.
Hear from a real APVI customer who relied on clear instructions, human support, and a smoother passport process.
“They make the process as smooth as possible so you don't have to worry about anything.”
Real customers choose APVI when they want expert help, clear communication, and a smoother passport process.
- Real APVI customer story
- Human passport support
- Clear next steps
- Trusted when timing matters
Questions? Speak with a passport specialist: (800) 766-0452
More APVI passport customer stories
Questions about replacing a damaged passport?
A real APVI passport specialist can help you understand whether your passport is considered damaged, what citizenship evidence to include, how to prepare your damage statement, and what to do after the Acceptance Agent seals your envelope.
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Washington, DC office. Nationwide passport service.
APVI serves customers in all 50 states and U.S. territories. You do not need to travel to Washington, DC to use our service. Your DS-11 is still signed in person at a local Acceptance Agent, and APVI hand-delivers your sealed packet to the passport agency for you.
How damaged passport replacement works with APVI.
Start your order online, upload your documents for review, complete the required Acceptance Agent step, send the sealed envelope to APVI, and we submit your damaged passport replacement through registered courier handling where eligible.
- 01
Start your damaged passport replacement order
Choose your damaged passport processing option and start your order online.
- 02
Upload your documents for specialist review
Securely upload your damaged passport images, proof of U.S. citizenship, ID, passport photo, damage statement, and application materials so an APVI passport specialist can review your file.
- 03
Visit a local Acceptance Agent
A local Passport Acceptance Agent witnesses your DS-11 signature, verifies your ID, reviews your documents, and seals your packet into an official envelope.
- 04
Ship the sealed envelope to APVI
Do not open the sealed envelope. Send it to APVI using the shipping instructions provided.
- 05
APVI submits and tracks your replacement
APVI submits your sealed packet through registered courier handling where eligible and helps track your replacement passport through return delivery.
- Start My Application
You do not go to the passport agency. You visit a local Acceptance Agent.
For damaged passport replacement, the government generally requires your DS-11 signature to be witnessed by an authorized Passport Acceptance Agent. This is usually a post office, courthouse, public library, or local government office, not the passport agency that processes your passport.
APVI prepares your application packet first. Then you visit the Acceptance Agent, sign your DS-11 in their presence, show your government-issued ID, provide your required citizenship evidence and damaged passport, and have your documents sealed into an official envelope. The sealed envelope is handed back to you, and you send it to APVI so we can submit it on your behalf.
APVI prepares your packet
We help review your DS-11, photo, ID, citizenship evidence, damaged passport, and damage statement before your Acceptance Agent visit.
You visit a local Acceptance Agent
The Acceptance Agent witnesses your DS-11 signature, verifies your ID, and seals your documents.
You receive the sealed envelope
The Acceptance Agent gives the sealed envelope back to you. Do not open it.
Send the sealed envelope to APVI
You ship the sealed envelope to APVI, and we submit it through registered courier handling where eligible.
Do not open the sealed envelope. Once the Acceptance Agent seals your documents, the envelope must remain sealed when sent to APVI.
What you'll need to replace a damaged passport.
A damaged passport is not a normal renewal. Here's what changes.
When a passport is significantly damaged, the damaged passport may not be accepted as proof of citizenship for the replacement process. Applicants must provide additional proof of U.S. citizenship and a signed statement explaining what happened to the passport.
Submit the damaged passport
The damaged passport must be included with the replacement application packet.
Write a damage statement
A signed statement should explain how the passport was damaged and describe the condition of the passport.
Provide citizenship evidence
Additional proof of U.S. citizenship is required because the damaged passport is not treated as sufficient citizenship evidence for this process.
Use the DS-11 process
Damaged passport replacement generally follows the DS-11 process, including the Acceptance Agent step and sealed envelope.
APVI reviews the packet before submission. Your specialist confirms the damage statement wording, the citizenship evidence you are including, and the DS-11 details, so preventable mistakes are caught early.
Damaged passport replacement can be confusing. APVI helps catch issues before submission.
Replacement requires the damaged book, a signed statement of damage, separate citizenship evidence, and an exact DS-11 application. One missing piece can add weeks. An APVI passport specialist reviews your materials before you finalize your packet.
- Damaged passport review before anything is submitted
- Signed damage statement guidance
- Additional U.S. citizenship evidence review
- DS-11 packet review for accuracy and completeness
- Passport photo and ID review
- Acceptance Agent preparation support
- Secure document upload with bank-grade encryption
- FedEx shipping instructions where applicable
- A dedicated APVI passport specialist assigned to every order
- Status updates from start to finish
- 23+ years helping U.S. travelers
- BBB A+ Accredited, with Trustpilot and Google review proof
What APVI Does — and What the U.S. Department of State Does
APVI helps manage the process. The government issues the passport.
What APVI does
- Reviews forms, photos, supporting documents, and service path
- Provides clear next-step and shipping instructions
- Helps with courier submission and pickup where eligible
- Provides status updates
- Helps reduce preventable document mistakes before submission
What the U.S. Department of State does
- Reviews and adjudicates the passport application
- Determines whether the passport is issued
- Sets government passport fees
- Controls government processing
- Prints and issues the passport
APVI is a private passport courier service and is not the U.S. Department of State.
Replacing a damaged passport is not the same as renewing by mail.
You must interpret the damaged passport checklist on your own, and a small mistake can delay your replacement passport and your travel plans. Here is how doing it yourself compares with having an APVI passport specialist review your application.
The DIY path
- Damage assessment: You must determine on your own whether the passport is significantly damaged.
- Signed damage statement: You must prepare the statement of damage yourself.
- Additional citizenship evidence: You must know which citizenship evidence to include and in what form.
- DS-11 form review: You must catch form, signature, and payment mistakes yourself.
- Passport photo and ID review: You have to judge your own photo and ID documents against the specifications.
- Acceptance Agent preparation: You must complete the DS-11 and Acceptance Agent step correctly on your own.
- Sealed envelope instructions: Opening or mishandling the sealed envelope can create problems.
- Status support: Limited visibility once your packet leaves your hands.
- Human specialist support: No one to call when a question comes up.
- Return delivery: You wait for standard return mail.
The APVI path
- Damage assessment: APVI reviews your damaged passport and helps confirm the correct replacement path.
- Signed damage statement: APVI guides the damage statement wording before it goes into your packet.
- Additional citizenship evidence: A passport specialist helps confirm the required citizenship evidence.
- DS-11 form review: APVI reviews your DS-11 packet before submission.
- Passport photo and ID review: Your specialist checks your photo and identity documents before submission.
- Acceptance Agent preparation: APVI explains exactly what to bring and what happens at your visit.
- Sealed envelope instructions: APVI explains the sealed envelope step and provides shipping instructions.
- Status support: You receive updates from order to return delivery.
- Human specialist support: A passport specialist helps catch preventable errors.
- Return delivery: Tracked return delivery of your replacement passport.
Damage handled, trip protected.
APVI reviews your replacement packet before submission, so a preventable error never costs you a departure date.
Everything you need to know, in plain English.
Still have questions? Call us at (800) 766-0452.
Don’t worry, we will provide you with all the details you need for your expedited application process!
Passport applicants pay the U.S. Department of State fee separately from the APVI fee, by check or money order included with the documents. For more on U.S. Department of State passport fees, please view passport fees.
Our specialists are available 9 am to 5 pm Eastern Time, Monday to Friday, and we are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. If you place an order outside these hours, a specialist will review it on the next business day. Questions? Call (800) 766-0452.
You must submit an original or certified copy of your US birth certificate or US naturalization certificate. For any applicant 16 years or older that was issued a child passport, your expired, undamaged passport may count as proof of citizenship, as well. The U.S. Department of State will return your proof of citizenship back upon completion of your passport. Please be advised that U.S. Department of State will not accept a printed copy of your proof of citizenship.
Get started today
Replace your damaged U.S. passport
with APVI.
Start your order online, upload your documents securely, and let an APVI passport specialist review your damaged passport, citizenship evidence, damage statement, and DS-11 packet before submission.
- Specialist reviewed
- Dedicated passport specialist
- Status updates start to finish