Sent british citizenship certificate to passport office. ARRIVED DAMAGED!

[JSJS72]

Hi, so I had to send in all my old passports and my British citizenship certificate to the passport office when i applied for my first passport.

I received my envelope in the post with the top left half slashed along with the certificate. They didn't even bother to put it in a padded envelope or anything.

My question now is how can i proceed. should i contact the passport office since i assume they are responsible and will replace it? or is the certificate still valid with a minor slash?

[CR001]

How can you be sure it is the passport office?

It could have been Royal Mail?

Did you not provide a 'do not bend' or special delivery plastic envelope for returning your documents?

A damaged certificate is not good, it is the only proof that you are British. It is as important as a birth certificate.

[contorted_svy]

Even if applicants provide "do not bend" envelopes HMPO won't use them. I sent it in a "do not bend" envelope and in a plastic pouch, and all that was ignored. I would complain to HMPO and ask for a replacement.