Do I need to replace mildly damaged passport?

[AgathaQuiztee]

Hello I’m travelling to Tunisia 23rd May. I’ve had to get a new passport. Unfortunately the dog got a hold of it and has slightly damaged the cover on the corner. The Internet are unclear whether this will a problem when travelling. Does anybody have any experience and can help.
The biometric chip is undamaged.

I wouldn’t like to risk it at the airport.

Are you willing to forfeit the holiday if you’re refused at the airport? I personally wouldn’t risk it

The sad thing about these stories is that the arrival airport doesn't care, especially since in most cases you just press the photo page on the scanner of an e-gate. It doesn't materially affect the function of the passport in any way, which ought to be the criterion. From what I've read I think you might well get refused boarding, but it feels like jobsworthery of the highest order. 😢

My son's passport was slightly water damaged, I got it replaced because I would have been so pissed off if he didn't get to go on a very expensive holiday last year, wouldn't risk it.

Common sense approach would be to email the passport office with a photo and see what they say. If they clearly said it was fine, you'd have something to fall back on if you come up against a jobsworth. Is there anything about levels of acceptable damage on the passport office website rather than 'the Internet'?

However, annoying as it is I think it should be acceptable for use, if it was me I would probably replace it because otherwise every time I travel I'd worry about not being able to travel or be sent back after arriving at a destination. I suppose their argument would be 'it could have been tampered with or an attempt made to do so'.

I think it’s fine if the main page isn’t damaged.

I remember a couple of years ago my daughter had lightly scribbled on the inside of my passport and I only noticed it when we were at the airport. It wasn’t an issue for us as all the main information was unaffected. I don’t think you’ll have any problems but it’s worth contacting the passport office to put your mind at ease.

Having seen someone turned away at the airport for damage similar to this yes I’d replace it. Not worth the risk.

I flew easy jet last year with my passport that was damaged with a chewed corner and had a heart stopping moment at check in when it was taken away and had to be approved as to whether I could fly. It was fine but I don't know what the criteria was that made it ok and it has now been renewed anyway. I had no idea it could even be an issue.

My BIL was turned away from a flight for a slightly damaged passport, so I personally wouldn’t risk it.

DS got stuck returning from Greece with a similar passport issue. Took two days and a lot of expense to resolve it.

I wouldn’t risk it.

I wouldn’t risk it, for the cost of a passport! Youll lose more money if you can’t go or get stuck there.

I’d probably risk it but I very rarely hand out my passport at airports. I’m usually on hand luggage only, and can use e-Gates at both UK and EU airports, so I just open to the photo page on boarding, and they never have time to inspect full passports there…

Mine got water damaged but page with photo on fine and it always got through but I found it better to replace as if there is a problem it would cause massive issues. That is also difficult to hide. Mine could have it open at photo page. I would replace, mine took 2 weeks and now have another 10 years so cost was minimal.

We have just been through EU airport and they still stamped passport so was looked at as well as photo and fingerprints.

My passport got damaged when a vodka and coke was spilt on it - it now has wrinkly and slightly stained pages - but the main page is fine, so I've had no problem using it, including a few trips to Europe, and two trips to the US.

Quick update and thank you everyone for your advice. I decided to replace it in the end and the new one has arrived. It was an expensive lesson learnt.

Googling (and AI) seemed to suggest I’d have no problem leaving this country but may have problems trying to come home. I decided it was worth the money to be able to relax on my holiday rather than worrying the whole time about if I’d be able to come home or not.

My dog did more damage to my passport than your did. I travelled to various countries without any trouble until I tried to enter Georgia. I had a long interrogation by a charming immigration lady who eventually said that she would let me into the country on condition that when leaving I should tell the authorities that the damage was done while in the country by a Georgian dog!

It is not the UK Passport Office’s call. Question is whether it will be accepted at overseas port of entry. If there is any doubt on that - and there is- the airline will deny boarding. I would replace it.