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 US 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.

We understand your desire to keep your documents in your possession. However, the State Department must verify that all citizenship documents are authentic in order to process your US passports replacement. Photocopies do not contain the stamps, seals, and other invisible markings that confirm the document as authentic.