Summary
- 1. The potential issues with souvenir passport stamps.
- 2. The experience of a traveler facing complications due to novelty stamps.
- 3. Recommendations for preserving travel memories without altering official documents.
Novelty and souvenir passport stamps are a popular trend popping up around the world. However, there are compelling reasons to think twice before placing one in your official passport.
Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan
Tina Sibley, a woman in her sixties from the United Kingdom, considers herself a well-traveled individual. She has both the ticket stubs and passport stamps to illustrate her extensive travels. However, during her attempted journey in February 2020 to board a Qatar Airways flight in Thailand, Sibley discovered the potential downsides associated with certain passport stamps.
“As an excited traveler, I presented myself and my passport at Qatar Airways, only to be informed that I couldn’t fly because of the Machu Picchu stamp in my passport,” Sibley shared in a Facebook post. Astonishingly, she thought it was a joke, but it was indeed a serious matter.
In dismay, Sibley rushed to the British Embassy in Thailand to explain her situation, only to face another setback.
“The embassy listened to my issues and stated that it was absurd,” she wrote. “My passport was valid, and therefore, they couldn’t issue a replacement. They advised me to explain the situation to Qatar Airways and suggested that if they wouldn’t accommodate me, I should find another airline.” Nevertheless, back at the airport, she learned that neither Qatar Airways nor Emirates would allow her to fly due to the novelty stamp.
This frustrating incident stemmed from a seemingly harmless souvenir stamp obtained from Machu Picchu.
This incident highlights how the validity of souvenir stamps can cause confusion. Thousands of travelers might possess a souvenir stamp from Machu Picchu, yet such a stamp does not hold the same weight as those placed by official authorities. Collectors may pursue other notable stamps, such as the “Checkpoint Charlie” stamp from Berlin, the Antarctic Heritage Stamp from a visit to Antarctica, or the longest place name stamp from Wales. However, Sibley’s experience serves as a reminder to avoid placing these novelty stamps into official documents.
Notably, on page five of every U.S. passport, there is a disclaimer which states that “Alteration or Mutilation of Passport” is unauthorized and “only authorized officials of the United States or of foreign countries may place stamps or make notations or additions to this passport.”
Authorized officials include U.S. State Department staff, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers, diplomatic and consular officials from foreign nations, and immigration officers at international borders. Consequently, a self-placed stamp at Machu Picchu lacks legitimacy.
“The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid the use of novelty stamps in the U.S. passport,” a State Department official explained. “The Department could potentially view novelty stamps as ‘damage’ to the U.S. passport. Additionally, we cannot comment on how passport alterations might influence entry decisions by the Department of Homeland Security or a foreign government.”
Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean travelers have to miss out on collecting novelty stamps altogether. Rather than tarnishing official documents, travelers can maintain a separate journal to record souvenir stamps and memories from their adventures. This way, you’ll preserve your travel recollections while ensuring smooth journeys ahead.
In Sibley’s case, she ultimately secured an emergency passport after navigating a challenging process with the embassy. Fortunately, her new passport is designated for official stamps only.
