By Mewati Sitaram
In a cautionary incident for air travellers, a passenger was reportedly barred from boarding his flight after airline staff flagged his passport as “damaged.” The reason: a stapler pin was found on the front page of the document, rendering it invalid for international travel.
According to passport office guidelines, a passport is considered damaged if it is torn, heavily stained, mutilated, or has unauthorised markings, stapler pins, or holes punched on its pages. Even minor tampering with the front or back page — such as attaching photographs, affixing stickers, or pinning documents — can result in rejection of the passport during immigration checks.
Officials clarified that a passport in such condition cannot be accepted as a valid travel document, and the holder is required to reapply for a fresh passport. “Travellers must ensure their passports are kept intact. Even a simple stapler pin or clip on the cover pages can make the document unusable,” said an official from the Regional Passport Office.
The incident highlights the importance of handling passports with utmost care. Apart from physical damage, travellers are advised not to laminate passport pages, scribble on them, or attempt to make unofficial alterations, as these are also treated as violations.
The Passport Seva Kendra has categorised passports into three conditions — valid, damaged, and lost. Damaged passports require the applicant to seek a reissue under the “damaged passport” category, which involves additional scrutiny.
Authorities have urged passengers to check their passports well before travelling and avoid practices that may inadvertently invalidate the document. “Your passport is your identity abroad. Treating it casually can disrupt your travel plans and create unnecessary legal hurdles,” the advisory stated.
HANDLE YOUR PASSPORT WITH CARE : Do keep your passport in a protective cover, report immediately if it is lost or damaged, apply for reissue in case of wear and tear, and ensure it has six months’ validity before travel. Don’t use stapler pins, clips, or punch holes on pages, don’t paste photos, affix stickers, write on it, or laminate any page, as all these render it a damaged passport.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
