How hard is it to find someone to witness passport photos?

[lolaflores]

Applying for a passport and so far asked local solicitors, GP to no avail. What can I do if I don't know anyone who isn't a police officer or teacher head teacher or otherwise.
its for an Irish passport. Feel a bit stumped

Ask at your pharmacy? Pharmacists will sometimes do it if they know you

Ask your local mp. After years of not knowing anyone, I emailed my council and believe me, they really want to help and make their party look good! Within a few days, I had mine signed and was on holiday the month later. Xxx

Not sure where you are, but in NI any police station will sign it for you, you just call in and go to the reception desk. Don't know if it's the same elsewhere

If you have a parish council either the clerk or councillors can do it for you

www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications/accepted-occupations-for-countersignatories

This is a list for UK passports, not sure if it's the same in Ireland.

A civil servant can. That opens up a lot of possibilities

• have known you (or the adult who signed the form if the passport is for a child under 16) for at least 2 years
The above is were you struggle. They need to know you for 2 years.

I'm sure company directors can? If you know any?

What do your neighbours do for a living? I’ve countersigned for a few close neighbours.

'Person of good standing in the community' covers a lot. They don't have to be one of the listed professions.

Director of a VAT registered company is often the easiest way to go

Just go the the Guards Station, they will sign it, they don't have to really know you. and they keep a log of who the signed for, bring your drivers licence with you

Teachers can, not just headteachers

My dad is an accountant - he's been very popular in passport signing duties recently. The passport office have in my experience contacted the signatory every time so make sure the person is available to take the phone call.

It is more restrictive for Irish passports than for British ones. I got someone in my bank, who was a notary, to do mine (in the US). I don’t think they have to know you personally.

I'm outside the UK and had an American friend do it - she's an admin assistant at an accountancy/law firm. They accepted that.

The irish is quite restrictive and needs a stamp from the department or business etc. I have a friend a teacher ....but they say only head or deputy...tried all the above suggestions but no luck. In London so wonder of local police mat be of help

It doesn't need to be a headteacher for a UK passport, might be worth checking re. Irish.

One of the nursery teachers at my kids' school did it for me. They ask for a small contribution to the school (think it was £10) which seems totally fair to me. Also in London.

For my Irish pp, I had a solicitor in SW England sign my photos. Cost about a tenner. For an Irish pp you don't need to be known to the signatory. Find a sol that does wills/probate type stuff.

School governors/Teachers/x teachers/ retired teachers/magistrate.

Found a public notary who will do it for me. How come I dont know anyone with a proper rubber stamp? I am moving in all the wrong circles and shall have to start cultivating the right sorts.

I sign them as a university lecturer. I've always signed them as a teacher. Just find a professional on your street.

Rubicon80, as a teacher I have signed lots, never charged.

I am Irish and living abroad my daughter's teacher signed her passport for us and it was renewed without any diffuculty

@crimsonlake OK? And?

I thought it was perfectly reasonable and I was happy to do it. My kids' school has lost over £300k in funding in the past four years and I was giving the teacher yet another task to do (a fiddly form to fill in,writing on the back of photos, etc.) so I was more than happy to make a small donation to the school in return.