I had an old girlfriend put my passport through the wash about two years ago. My passport was not destroyed, you could read it and the picture was not distorted. Unfortunately, it would not scan. Jumping within the states was not a problem but coming back from Mexico to the USA via LAX turned into a S@#% Storm! The Customs Officers were very suspicicious and after showing them my airline id + SIDA badge, it added fuel to the fire. I had to sit in a room with several others who were being denied entrance into America. Three hours and five explanations later I was on my way to the hotel but only after being warned that having a damaged passport could result in a several hundred dollar fine. I finally decided just to get the thing replaced. I found that if I had my CP sign a letter explaining that I needed a current passport for my job, it would expedite the long and slow process. So, the next week I typed up a 3 paragraph letter addressed to the Seattle Passport Agency, had my CP sign it, and jumped over to SEA. The next morning I checked in with my damaged passport and letter. It only took them 3.5 hours to have me walking out the door with a new passport. I can't remember what the cost was but I know it was not over $100.00. In fact, I want to say it was under $50.00. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Good luck.