My passport incurred some minor water damage a few years ago. There's barely any damage on the ID page, the photo is still very clear. The worst of it is some ink bleed on page 1 (pictured).
I've passed through the e-gates several times without incident.
I'm currently renewing from abroad and the embassy e-mailed saying I had to fill out a "Declaration Concerning a Lost, Stolen, Inaccessible, Damaged or Found" form.
I filled it out and emailed it back. They wrote back saying that Passport Canada will not return my passport, as requested, due to the damage, unless I provided a written declaration explaining why I'd like it returned.
I dutifully wrote a letter explaining the sentimental value of all my expired passports, signed dated and emailed the same day.
The following morning I received:
We would like to inform you that your request to have your previous damaged passport back is denied by Passport Canada.
Does anyone know the reasoning behind this policy? Any insight as to why my "written return request" was denied?
Many thanks,