Passport Damage: What to Do If Your Document Is Soaked in Herring Oil?
Nearly 50,000 Lithuanians replaced damaged passports last year, and officials warn that even minor damage could lead to border issues.
A leaking packet of herring oil, a toddler's felt-tip pen drawings, or a hungry pet – these are just some of the reasons why passports get damaged. Last year, almost 50,000 Lithuanian citizens had to replace damaged travel documents, and the Migration Department warns that even minor defects can cause problems at border crossings.
One example is Danguolė, a Lithuanian living in the UK. A leaking herring oil packet in her bag ruined her passport – though the cover and photo page remained intact, the other pages turned yellow and warped. She shared her story in an online group for Lithuanians abroad, receiving conflicting advice: some had traveled successfully with damaged passports, while others urged caution.
Rokas Pukinskas, a spokesman for Lithuania's Migration Department, emphasizes that even minor damage is risky because border officials in different countries assess documents differently. "When a passport gets wet, the color of the page changes. We recommend not risking travel with such a document – whether it is oil, ink, or any other liquid. Anything that affects the natural coloring of the document automatically renders it unfit for use," he explains. The same applies to physical damage: a torn page, a severely bent cover, or a detached binding.
If a passport is damaged abroad, the holder should contact the nearest Lithuanian embassy, which will normally issue a travel document valid only for return to Lithuania. Those living abroad can apply for a replacement at the embassy, while in Lithuania, they should go directly to the Migration Department.
