I am going to Mexico in January, and about a month ago I was at a wedding and I had my flask in my purse and of course it was right next to my passport, it leaked a little bit and of course it got on the picture page. There's a small wave in the page but besides that no other damage. I showed it to my travel agent and he said he could see it was damaged and I should get it replaced. So I took it to the passport office just to see what they said and what forms I'll need. They said they don't consider it damaged if the picture isn't damaged. I'm wondering if there's anyone here who's had a similar experience and what you would do.
Thanks in advance!

it will depend on the customs officer, not the passport office. I wouldn't chance it. Since you have had one person at the passport office say it is fine, I would simply tell them you have lost it and get a new one.

No! Don't say it's lost! You could get flagged or have problems in the future if you do happen to lose one and need a replacement. Tell them the truth, you want it replaced for peace of mind.

I mistakenly put a passport thru a wash. Took it to the passport office to get a replacement. Was a nightmare. I asked what if I had lost it, what would have happened? The clerk said, "that would have been a lot easier".
True story. Not telling you what to do but I know what I'm doing next time.

But like someone else pointed out later in the tread, they track those and if you lose one for real, you could be denied a replacement in the future... I can also tell you that they flag passport holders of lost documents and you could have additional screening at US and Canadian Customs...

Get it fixed you don't want trouble while your travelling and they can be picky about things at the border.

Personally, I would replace it. The passport office may not consider it damaged, but they aren't the person who will be looking at it in whatever country you are trying to enter. You never know when you will hit someone on a bad day.

I would replace it. Some customs officials are not forgiving at all. Better to be safe then missing out on your trip.

replace it, i was on a flight and a couple had some damage on a corner of their passports, and she was denied flight because of it.. their bags were on the plane too,...

.....did you get on the flight home alright? I would assume if you did- then it shouldn't be an issue. If you're really concerned, then get it replaced.

I damaged my picture ;I have yet to replace but I was shocked to learn not only do you pay for the new passport (as expected)but there is an extra fee tacked on for replacing it.

My picture has a water spot on it, but given that it doesn’t affect the machine readability it isn’t a problem.

While readability isn’t a problem, anything that gives any indication it may have been damaged or tampered with is enough for someone to turn you away. Not worth the risk running into someone who is having a bad day and decides to ruin your trip.

If you want to do the electronic self check and customs clearance you may want to replace it. I imagine the machine could reject it.

I will not take chances with my passport, some other countries are very strict when comes to the Passport.

Replace it border guards may refuse entry due to any type of damage doesn't matter if the picture is affected or not

A friend had a similar problem. Replace it!

I just came back from Shanghai and Beijing the officials scrutinize a passport over and over. I’d would not take any chances. Each country will decide.

I had this issue about 6 years ago - the airline just about didn't let me catch my plane and customs gave me hassle after everyone I checked with here said it was fine (water damage was only on the stamp pages). If the picture page is damaged in any way I would seriously just replace it instead of missing my flight. I went end of Oct to renew my passport at the office on MacCloud and was 30 mins from the time I went in to when I left. I picked up 5 days later at Harry Hays (express line was 5 mins) and the amount of people waiting to get theirs issued was crazy!!!

Mine got wet. Dried it up and it looked just fine. Passport office told me to replace it as the pages were not fully aligned even though it was barely visible. My picture was a-ok. Just replace, peace of mind is worth whatever the cost is. And I had ni replacement fee, just the normal fee.

Customs officers really do carry alot of power and can deny you exit/entry at their discretion - meaning they can be as picky/or not - as they want - if they have a bad day - maybe you will too. I would get it replaced.

Had a tiny corner of a visa stamping page rip off and they denied boarding on a flight to Mexico because it was “damaged”. I’d get it replaced and save the headache.

I had water damage on passport ... replace it or you can be refused entry. Not worth the risk.

Forget customs officers. The airline may deny you at check-in because they don't want to bare the cost if you get refused at the other end. With any damages on a passport you risk not even making it on the plane. Definitely replace it. Whatever the cost it's less than a ruined/stressful vacation.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will be replacing it as soon as my Licence gets to me from being renewed (I'm super duper organized and don't leave anything to last minute).

I keep my passport in a ziplock bag just to be safe.

My dog chewed the corner of mine. Picture not damaged. FYI they do not like this. I was advised by Calgary if its damaged you are flagged and if it happens 2x in life you may not get another . Do not say it is lost!!!!!

So if this is my second damaged passport am I screwed?

Possibly. I was given a very tough time. They advised it goes in a special vault. I was told I couldn't get a 10 yr but they did allow it after 5 years from the damaged year. They wanted to know very specific details on how it was damaged. Why was it on the table? How did dog get on table etc etc . You may only get 1 yr passport. That was 5 yrs ago so not sure about today.

It's been 7 years since I replaced my damaged passport. So the current one I have doesn't have the page that states that it's a replacement for a damaged passport, like my last one did.
Maybe it'll be ok since it is just slightly/barely damaged?

Laura Marie Go to the passport office, they can tell you exactly what you have to do. The website says "If you have reported many passports as damaged, lost or stolen, you may face some restrictions when you apply for a new passport."
I can't imagine that a second time in 7 years is going to be a giant red flag. But either way, it is not worth the risk of being refused entry at a border, or refused boarding on a plane.

I called them this morning and talked to them. Told them everything. He laughed at my misfortune and said I should be ok to replace it, but worst case they'll issue me a 3 year passport for now. I just said "clearly that's all the responsibility I am capable of handling with a passport." And he laughed with me. Sounds like if I get it replaced it'll be OK. I just want to get on that plane in January.

My moms water bottle leaked in her purse, the pages were just a bit wrinkled after it dried out. She replaced

A friend of mine had a spill on her passport too. She travelled two or three different locations throughout the world this past year with no concerns with security/customs until flying home to the UK and it was not accepted. They had to delay flying out until they could get her a new passport.
Would recommend that you check with security. If passport is acceptable the way it is - maybe they could give you a note verifying that it is acceptable for future travel. Otherwise, I know it's an expense and a hassle, but a new passport would give peace of mind.

From my own experiences with a damaged passport, I recommend getting it replaced before you travel. A hint: carry your passport in a sealed ziploc bag to prevent similar problems in the future.

UPDATE for anyone who is interested at all.
Just got finished at the passport office for applying for a new passport. It was my second damaged passport BUT since the first one I had damaged had expired a few years back it wasn't a huge issue. I got the lecture of how to properly care for my passport. The kind lady who helped me originally had an issue seeing the damage but once she checked in different lighting she saw what I was talking about and said getting it replaced is a good call. So I will be getting my new 10 year passport on January 8th (I leave for Mexico on January 11th.). Huge relief that I didn't have as many issues as I was expecting!
Thanks everyone for your help and input!