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Original poster

Don't know anyone who can sign passport

82 replies

Ahhffs · 23/04/2026 10:22

I'm really stuck! I knew one person with a qualifying job but they couldn't do it as their passport has expired
i literally don't know any other people
is a carer /care home worker able to sign them? That's literally the only other person I can think of.
what do I do if I can't find anyone? Am I just not able to get a passport?

OP posts:
Tryingtokeepgoing · 23/04/2026 16:39

SunshineOnARainyLeith · 23/04/2026 10:26

Do you have any optician or dentist or GP? They can sign.

The passport office website makes it clear that a doctor can't sign, unless they know the applicant personally - which doesn't mean just being a patient. Although somewhat contrarily dentist and optician are on the list!!

https://www.gov.uk/confirm-identity-online-for-passport-application

However the 'manager of a VAT registered company' and 'manager of a limited company' do appear on the list, and they are fairy broad titles

Confirm someone’s identity online for a passport application

Who can confirm someone’s identity online for a passport application and what they need to do

https://www.gov.uk/confirm-identity-online-for-passport-application

LastHotel · 23/04/2026 16:26

Dancingsquirrels · 23/04/2026 15:22

It's OK if they know you in professional capacity, provided they do know you and can confirm your identity. Just being registered as a patient is not sufficient

Show quote history

No, they need to know you in a personal capacity - ie, you are friends.

wishfulthinking25 · 23/04/2026 15:47

I work in finance and signed for my nephews (DH sister’s kids) all was fine. Did get a notification on Experian that HM passport office had performed a soft search on me.

Dancingsquirrels · 23/04/2026 15:22

AwesomeChampagne · 23/04/2026 11:57

Only if they know you personally and not in a professional capacity

Show quote history

It's OK if they know you in professional capacity, provided they do know you and can confirm your identity. Just being registered as a patient is not sufficient

Rhythmisadancer · 23/04/2026 15:16

Landlord of your local pub?

Latenightreader · 23/04/2026 14:50

It also doesn't have to be someone living near you - a friend living 250 miles away countersigned my daughter's renewal.

busyd4y · 23/04/2026 14:43

DurinsBane · 23/04/2026 12:11

GP often will if you pay them

Only if they are going against the rules, I'm pretty sure it specifically says no GPs unless you know them as a friend not your doctor

PullyDog · 23/04/2026 14:25

Cousin signed mine, she's a social worker but I had to message a bunch of people asking if anyone knew anyone first.

Could try that.

CandyEnclosingInvisible · 23/04/2026 14:11

Friendlygingercat · 23/04/2026 13:40

The main criteria is that you must hold current passport and have known the applicant for 2 years. Never be tempted to sign for someone you dont know. I once worked with a young chap who signed for someone he did not know. He got found out and fined. Its not worth the risk.

Surely one of your neighbours has a job!

When we applied for my DC's first passport the post office manager said he'd be happy to sign for us if we didn't have someone lined up (we did have someone available so didn't accept) - and he definitely didn't know us.

LastHotel · 23/04/2026 14:02

Most people can sign. They just need to have known you personally for two years and have a passport themselves. It doesn’t need to be a “professional”.

malmi · 23/04/2026 13:57

If you use the physical photo process with the paper form instead of the digital process then you can choose from someone from outside the list of professions. They just have to be ‘a person of good standing in their community’. As long as they’re not a ne’er-do-well basically.

Friendlygingercat · 23/04/2026 13:40

The main criteria is that you must hold current passport and have known the applicant for 2 years. Never be tempted to sign for someone you dont know. I once worked with a young chap who signed for someone he did not know. He got found out and fined. Its not worth the risk.

Surely one of your neighbours has a job!

Friendlygingercat · 23/04/2026 13:12

Retired professional people can also sign for you. I (retired lecturer) have just done so for an aquaintance Ive known several years, albeit casually. You are signing to say it is a true likeness - not that you are their best mate or know anything about their character.

Trumpisacunt · 23/04/2026 12:48

I signed my neighbour's and work for the nhs and I'm only admin - it was accepted fine .

nocoolnamesleft · 23/04/2026 12:45

Doctors can only do it if they know you personally, not just as a patient. It was changed a few years ago.

goingtotown · 23/04/2026 12:41

If you’re renewing your passport you don’t need a person to counter sign unless your passport has been lost or stolen.

HostaCentral · 23/04/2026 12:40

My hairdresser did mine. You can pretty much have anyone who is employed and has no criminal record, and has known you for a long time.

youalright · 23/04/2026 12:38

My boss did mine

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 23/04/2026 12:36

Needspaceforlego · 23/04/2026 10:47

Basically it needs to be someone who's got something to lose if they lied.

Do you know any small business owners?
Anyone whos listed at companies house, painters, plumbers, those sorts of trades are often self employed ltd and VAT registered.

Some bigger hairdressers / beauticians might be limited companies

Nurses, physios, dentist 😬?

This basically!

Will the person lose a licence/ registration to practice, their job, their company directorship if it turns out they lied?

Would there be a real consequence for them?

Clavinova · 23/04/2026 12:30

A retired person can countersign - retired teacher, retired nurse, retired civil servant... a 'retired civil engineer' countersigned my last passport (a neighbour).

GenieGenealogy · 23/04/2026 12:25

The other thing is that the person you ask also has to have a valid UK passport.

ChocolateCinderToffee · 23/04/2026 12:23

Do you know someone who works for the council and has had the same employer for two years? That's good enough.

Bundleflower · 23/04/2026 12:12

How about a manager of a shop? Or a teacher? A gym owner (if a Limited company)? A neighbour who is a nurse? A parent’s friend who owns a garage but their son now runs it. You must know somebody!

DurinsBane · 23/04/2026 12:11

GP often will if you pay them

GenieGenealogy · 23/04/2026 12:10

It also doesn't have to be someone who has a "job". The woman who has run the local foodbank/choir/playgroup for the last 20 years would tick the of good standing in the community box. As would a scout/brownie leader, religious leaders.

As for the system being stupid - there have to be checks about who is applying for and being granted the most valuable piece of identification you can get.