Return of old passport.

[Snowy Owl]

I have renewed my passport recently, the new one came earlier in the week and today my old one, with the corners cut off, was also returned. Why don't they simply destroy the old ones as soon as the new have been dispatched? What is the point in retuning it to me when all I shall do is shred it?

[vehelpfulguy]

Some countries stamp your passport as you enter so maybe people like to keep it as a reminder of where you have been and when.

[kempie]

Your expired passport may contain an unexpired visa. Provided the visa has not been damaged when the old passport was clipped it may still be valid for entry upon production of both passports at the port of entry.

[VillageVicar]

I had to have my passport replaced several months ago. It was in a rather tragic state, mostly a result of my travels, but especially due some rather over zealous immigration officers who kept pulling on the photo corner, thus invalidating the passport.

When I sent in my passport I assumed I would receive the old one back. What a surprise! Not only was I not to get the old passport back, but because mine was damaged, I had to have additional confirmations as to who I am.

Personally, I have enjoyed saving all of my past passports, especially the ones bulging with additional leaves due to extensive use. But this last one had a special and poignant memory for me. In it was my September 11th passport stamp serving as a lasting memory of my own experiences on that day.

Here�s where the story becomes interesting: I phoned the passport office asking whether I could have my old passport back. I briefly shared what had happened on that day, which I realise had no point, but I wanted to explain why I wanted it back. The passport officer apologised, but said my old one had already gone to be destroyed in their furnace.

Several days later I received a call from a woman from the passport office. She said that she and her supervisor had felt sorry that I could not receive it back, so they personally went to the document destruction centre and ploughed through about 4800 passports until they found mine. They made colour copies of all the pages and were sending them to me.

I was profoundly touched by their kindness and compassion. It�s something we don�t typically expect from any of our government branches.

It meant a great deal to me and I�ve included it in one of my �memory books� for my children, along with numerous letters I received regarding that day and the lives I touched.

Be well

Fr Bill

[lou 26]

aww thats lovely villagevicar! glad they sorted it for you. what a kind gesture

I have to renew our passports soon and shall also ask for the old ones back. My daughters is her first one and was issued when she was just two months old and id like to keep it as a reminder of all her travels so far, to show her when shes older.

[bednobs]

if they found the passport, why didnt they just send that to you rather than a photocopy?

[VillageVicar]

Provided you are not applying for a replacement due to it being damaged, you will have no difficulty. My challenge is that I had another four years remaining on mine, but it was virtually impossible for me to use it any longer.

I wish you every success

Fr Bill

[JonnoGenie]

When you renew a passport they return your old one with the corner cut off as you say.

The reason is that your old one might contain visas that remain valid (for example a US B1/B2 visa is often valid for 10 years). Plus your passport serves as a record of your travels that you might later have to refer to for immigration or tax purposes.

The corner is cut off, so that if travelling in haste you don't pick up 'the wrong one'; as you might grab a wrong set of house keys whilst rushing out.

[Snowy Owl]

Thank you all for your answers and I apologise for not getting back to you earlier....it was a bad weekend!

I can understand the points that you all make from the visas to the desire to keep them for posterity. I shall still be shredding mine!!!

Thanks again, folks, you always come up trumps here on AB.