Man Orders New Passport—Not Ready For What He Sees: 'Hurts My Eyes'

A man has turned to the internet for advice after receiving his newly renewed U.S. passport and noticing something was a little off.

The man and original poster (OP), user Eddiofabio, shared a photo of his new passport on Reddit, asking whether he should be concerned.

The picture shows the word “Passport” and the Great Seal of the United States printed noticeably off-center, shifted to the left side of the cover.

The unusual printing sparked alarm among commenters, some of whom warned that its appearance could raise red flags during travel.

“They will think it's fake,” one Reddit user predicted, while another agreed, adding, “Yes. It looks fake even though it isn't.”

A third commenter urged immediate action: “Get it replaced. That looks fake and will likely get you denied boarding or entry if you try to use it.”

While cosmetic irregularities are not commonly discussed, the U.S. Department of State does address printing errors directly.

According to the State Department’s Change or Correct a Passport page, travelers can request a correction if there is a “data or printing error.”

The agency states: “A printing error may include data missing on the biographical page, discoloration, or crooked printing.” It adds, “We will correct the error at no charge if the passport is still valid.”

To correct such an issue, applicants must submit Form DS-5504, their current passport, one color photo and evidence of the error. The department notes, “You will not have to submit any fees.”

On its Processing Times page, the State Department lists routine service at “4 to 6 weeks” and expedited service at “2 to 3 weeks.”

The agency cautions that mailing times are not included and states, “Consider the total time it will take to receive your passport when you are booking travel.”

The post reflects anxiety that even a legitimate passport could face extra scrutiny if it appears irregular. U.S. passports contain embedded security features, including a biometric chip, designed to prevent fraud.

Still, travelers often worry about anything that might slow their journey, especially at international borders where officials are trained to look for signs of tampering.

Though no official guidance suggests that a slightly off-center cover alone invalidates a passport, the State Department’s policy indicates that printing errors can be fixed without charge.

For travelers with upcoming trips, timing may become the deciding factor in whether to seek a replacement.

For the OP, the decision may come down to peace of mind. As commenters warned that the passport “looks fake,” the possibility of delays or denial at boarding gates weighed heavily in the discussion.

Whether the booklet would pass without issue remains unclear, but the federal guidance offers a formal path to correction for those uneasy about imperfections.

Newsweek has reached out to Eddiofabio for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.

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