Oh crap, my passport is ruined!

[nylonmac 10]

I'm here on a K-1 visa, and got married last Saturday after arriving on May 3rd.

So I had my sunscreen spray in my bag, with my passport, as I found a few places only liked taking that as ID. Then yesterday, my sunscreen decided to empty itself in my bag, coating the passport and removing any ink from a pen.

I'm waiting for our marriage certificate to come through to adjust my status, but what do I do about my ruined passport? The pages are discolored, the stamps are gone, the entry card is blank but the entry number is still visible, the visa page is discolored but still completely legible, the front looks mutilated.

How should I do this? Call the department of homeland security and tell them my entry card is damaged first? Call the British embassy and tell them my passport is badly damaged?

What should I do? I'm pretty worried...

Also, I feel like a big enough fool for mixing these things together and will never do that again!

[Krikit 1,163]

See this link, 3rd paragraph down: What to do if your I-94 is mutilated. For the AOS process, they only require a copy of the I-94, front and back, so that's the most important part to replace.

[Helen Louise Pile 80]

I'm here on a K-1 visa, and got married last Saturday after arriving on May 3rd.

So I had my sunscreen spray in my bag, with my passport, as I found a few places only liked taking that as ID. Then yesterday, my sunscreen decided to empty itself in my bag, coating the passport and removing any ink from a pen.

I'm waiting for our marriage certificate to come through to adjust my status, but what do I do about my ruined passport? The pages are discolored, the stamps are gone, the entry card is blank but the entry number is still visible, the visa page is discolored but still completely legible, the front looks mutilated.

How should I do this? Call the department of homeland security and tell them my entry card is damaged first? Call the British embassy and tell them my passport is badly damaged?

What should I do? I'm pretty worried...

Also, I feel like a big enough fool for mixing these things together and will never do that again!

You're in the US right now so if it were me I wouldn't be too worried.

The numbers are legible. You can't travel anyway right now.

I don't think you need your I-94 again (other than to adjust status). You can apply for a replacement using form I-102...but it's expensive. If it were me, for AOS packet, I would just include a photocopy of what you have and put in a note explaining what happened. (if numbers are visible) You may risk a RFE by doing this...but it may also be just fine. I did this with another document for my AOS and it was just fine.

As for the passport...I am not sure. It does not seem that you are required to report a damaged passport. (you can ask the embassy for advice about this: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/passports/) Do you plan to replace your passport anyway with your new married name? You could do this sooner rather than later if it is important (bearing in mind you will be without ID), or just wait until you have your NOA1 for AOS and send it away then. Do you have a photocopy of the picture page of your passport? You could also wait until you have your greencard and do it then.

Perhaps someone can advise you on what would happen if you are called for an interview for AOS and you did not have your passport back. I did not apply for a passport in my married name right away for this reason but as it happened we were not required to have any interview anyway.

Congratulations on your marriage!

Helen

Edited June 11, 2011 by Helen Louise Pile

[LBeachey 44]

Typically when you replace your passport, they let you keep the old one. They just mark it invalid or is some cases tear the cover off. It might take a while to get the passport replaced so I would work with USCIS as above and the British Embassy in parallel.

[Darnell 8,478]

did you make a photocopy of the passport, or scanned all pages after arrival?

any photocopy of the I-94, or a scanned image file?

[nylonmac 10]

Thanks, well I scanned my passport and visa page before I entered, but didn't have a scanner for the I-94. However, SSA and Chase bank scanned my passport and i-94. I also have a social security number now too, so hopefully all is not lost. I'll contact the embassy and uscis, I'm sure they'll find a way to help me . My married name is the same as my unmarried name, as I'm the pasty white Englishman needing sunscreen here!

[Darnell 8,478]

so make yer own PHOTOCOPIES of what you need, based on WHAT YOU HAVE, going back to commercial offices if need be, to beg for their scans.

[Nich-Nick 3,353]

Yes, go to Chase bank and get a print of their scan. You've got good copies of the other things you need. Keep your passport for now as photo id, until you get a greencard and driver's license. Then replace it. If you have an interview, tell them the sunscreen story. I think you'll be fine.