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Original poster

PASSPORT COUNTERSIGNING

170 replies

theconstantheadache · 14/06/2021 19:50

Help???

I don't know anybody to countersign my 18MO passport ???

Iv no idea who to ask as every person iv asked hasn't renewed their passport or can't sign as they don't have a profession listed...

OP posts:
Lockdownbear · 15/06/2021 09:24

@Mandalay246

Why does it have to be someone in a certain profession???? Genuine question - I'm not in the UK but anyone can countersign here as long as they've known you for more than a year (but not a relative) and have a passport (even an expired one).
It's really just someone with something to loose if they sign fraudulently, ie be thrown out of a professional organisation, or in the case of civil servants loose their job.

Most people who have stayed in the same job could probably find someone at work, even if it means going to HR or the company lawyer or secretary in a small business.

But yes to have to have known the person or parent for 2 or 3 years, it may have changed.

TheNoodlesIncident · 15/06/2021 09:21

@AnUnoriginalUsername

Ask neighbours, they know you and likely someone is a person allowed. We're directors but you wouldn't know it.
We're the same, it's not something I talk about but we run our own company and I am a director and could do this for someone I knew. But if you didn't ask or mention it, I'd never mention it. So it's worth asking the people you do know, just in case.

My son's swimming coach signed one of his renewals, but she was also his 1:1 TA in school and knew both of us. I assume that she wouldn't be able to do it any more. Our neighbour has done it for DS before (he is a vicar) but last time his own passport had run out so he wasn't able to. We had to ask one of DH's mates who also runs a company.

Annoymoususer · 15/06/2021 09:13

Do you know anyone that was in the army, or even your sons school teacher.

AnUnoriginalUsername · 15/06/2021 09:11

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing

The idea of the list, I think, is that the person has something to lose if they lie. So be struck off a professional list, lose a licence, be disqualified from their livelihood etc
Yeah I think this is right, you're accountable, traceable and punishable.
AnUnoriginalUsername · 15/06/2021 09:06

Ask neighbours, they know you and likely someone is a person allowed. We're directors but you wouldn't know it.

Mandalay246 · 15/06/2021 08:53

Why does it have to be someone in a certain profession???? Genuine question - I'm not in the UK but anyone can countersign here as long as they've known you for more than a year (but not a relative) and have a passport (even an expired one).

CaptainMyCaptain · 15/06/2021 08:14

@CallSignCharlie

Just to add - I’m a teacher and we’ve been specifically told we are not allowed to sign pupils / parents passports anymore . This changed a few years back when the counter signatory had to put their own passport details Good luck with finding someone
This. I've signed quite a few in the past but some bolshy parents would come in and demand that teachers signed passports because 'we had to'. As a result nobody could get them signed.

The Passport Office do occasionally ring up and check details, this happened to a teacher colleague of mine. Obviously, everything was fine in this case but people chancing it could get caught out.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 14/06/2021 22:25

Honestly in the UK it can be almost anyone. A friend who works for the council or NHS, or one who runs their own business... I've previously had them signed by friends who are a HR manager and one who works at Historic Scotland. It doesn't have to be a professional at all.

I do think the system is ridiculous though. It is inconvenient and awkward for law abiding people, but presents no real barrier to criminals.

roobicoobi · 14/06/2021 22:23

@Redwinestillfine

You can't just ask on Facebook Shock it's got to be someone that knows you and your baby. Dr's surgeries do it ( for about £10)

Who in the Drs surgery signs it?

CassandraTrotter · 14/06/2021 22:22

@HopeValley

I'm also a teacher and unfortunately our school policy is not to sign them. I've read before about how difficult and unfair this can be for people in working class areas and I can imagine it to be true. I've taught in schools where few parents worked at all and those who did were not in professional roles - I can imagine them struggling to think of a friend who could sign, whereas if you have been to university you probably have a choice of numerous people around you.
This is very true. When I needed my children’s passports signing, almost my entire Facebook friends list could sign. The one's that couldn't are Irish or French. Very, very few couldn't.

My sister did not go to uni and works as a cleaner and knows very few people who could sign.

When I started teaching I signed a few children’s passports, then it changed to that you had to know the adults, not the child.

Howshouldibehave · 14/06/2021 22:21

I was once asked to sign a passport form given to me by the parent of a child who had started in my class that morning! They gave me a blank form and asked me if I could just put all my details down and they’d add their bits later Grin. Funnily enough, I declined to do so.

After that, the HT decided a blanket policy that teachers wouldn’t be counter-signing any passports for children or parents from school!

gah2teenagers · 14/06/2021 22:19

Your pharmacist ? Mine signed a legal form for me. Do you know any civil servants ? HMRC. DWP ?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 14/06/2021 22:15

I’m one of the listed professions and recently had to say no to someone who asked me to sign her Mums - who I’d never met in my life and who is currently not in this country (doesn’t live here). I had to say no!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 14/06/2021 22:14

The idea of the list, I think, is that the person has something to lose if they lie. So be struck off a professional list, lose a licence, be disqualified from their livelihood etc

HopeValley · 14/06/2021 22:08

I'm also a teacher and unfortunately our school policy is not to sign them. I've read before about how difficult and unfair this can be for people in working class areas and I can imagine it to be true. I've taught in schools where few parents worked at all and those who did were not in professional roles - I can imagine them struggling to think of a friend who could sign, whereas if you have been to university you probably have a choice of numerous people around you.

3scape · 14/06/2021 22:06

Your midwife? Can it still be someone self employed? Do you use a regular plumber or electrician?

flippertygibbit · 14/06/2021 22:03

If you've tried everyone listed here www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications/accepted-occupations-for-countersignatories, then you need to contact the passport office here www.gov.uk/passport-advice-line

Cowbells · 14/06/2021 22:03

We asked a friend's husband who is an accountant. Could any of your friends or their partners do it?

CallSignCharlie · 14/06/2021 22:00

Just to add - I’m a teacher and we’ve been specifically told we are not allowed to sign pupils / parents passports anymore .
This changed a few years back when the counter signatory had to put their own passport details
Good luck with finding someone

OnTheBoardwalk · 14/06/2021 21:53

I'd be very wary linking my passport number to anyone I didn’t know 100% for over 2 years

I've been at the Liverpool office 2 times in 5 years (don’t ask) and they can really quiz you and the person that’s signed during the interview.

You can hear EVERYTHING anyone says at Liverpool

skinschool · 14/06/2021 21:49

@RickiTarr 11 in a month's time, so we have the added issue that she will be changing school.

GrannieD · 14/06/2021 21:47

NHS staff can do them. I've done loads over the years and never been an issue

GreyhoundG1rl · 14/06/2021 21:44

It's not just any random off the list of approved professions, they have to actually know you!

roobicoobi · 14/06/2021 21:41

@Christmasfairy2020

Isit an online one. I don't mind signing it

Please don't anyone be desperate enough to consider this.

Giving the most personal information to random strangers isn't the cleverest Hmm

PurpleWh1teGreen · 14/06/2021 21:33

It's someone that has known you for longer than 2 years, not your child.
Do you have a previous employer who could sign it?