The U.S. passport offices have such a surge in demand that their processing timelines now range from ten to thirteen weeks on average. In others, the waiting times can be longer, not including the mailing time. As such, the last thing you want is to make a mistake and go through these waiting times twice. So, what happens when you fold your passport application?
Can I Fold My Passport Application?
Many people fold documents when submitting them to others. Sometimes, they do it out of habit; at others, they do it to save space. But what would happen to someone who opts to fold the passport application?
You should not submit a folded application per the general passport application guidelines. Instead, you should do the following:
- Refrain from folding the documents: Passport offices will not accept folded documents. You should thus insert the documents in the envelope without changing their structure.
- Use a secure mailing envelope: While you may not have folded your application, it can get folded in transit because of the other documents around it. You can avoid this by using a tamper-resistant envelope to ensure your documents stay in place and are not damaged.
- Seal the envelope correctly: Gaps and openings in the envelope put your documents at risk of getting damaged. You can use glue or other adhesives to ensure this does not happen.
Is it ok to fold passport application? No, passport offices will reject such paperwork. You can avoid this by using our document review and courier services, ensuring your documents meet all the acceptance criteria at passport offices.
Can You Fold the Passport Application When Mailing?
Mailing in passport applications is an excellent save for passport applicants. But there are many grey areas in this convenience. Often, people ask, “Can I fold my passport application?” The answer is still no.
Here are the reasons why:
- Folding carries the risk of damaging the documents. For example, your passport photo could be damaged and fall short of the U.S. passport photo guidelines.
- The ink on the documents could smear because they will rub against the folds.
- The creases resulting from folding can make it hard for officials to make out the wording on the documents.
- Presenting folded documents is not a professional look and could affect your acceptability.
The big question here is: will a folded passport application be rejected? Unfortunately, such applications are more likely to get denied than those where the photos and other documents are in good form.
Can I Fold My Passport Renewal Application?
People whose previous passports are in good condition can renew them via mail. While this helps you skip the queues at local acceptance agents, you may wonder, “Can I fold my passport renewal application?” You cannot.
Folding paves the way for creases and damages to your documents, increasing the likelihood of rejection. The easiest way to avoid this is to ensure you meet all the renewal criteria and submit your unfolded documents in a tamper-proof envelope with secure sealing.
