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Original poster

passport anger

91 replies

singleisbetter · 20/12/2022 17:47

As anyone ever got a passport without a countersign im really stuck on this as i know NO one at all and i mean know one that owns a passport or anyone that knows me well im a bit of a loner and i like that but im really stuck any advice would be great i have rang the office and told them i got told to wright a cover letter with my forms and hope for the best but i may lose my money if they dont except my cover letter saying why i dont have any one to countersign for me .

OP posts:
TerraNostra · 20/12/2022 18:36

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 20/12/2022 18:32

One of my friends countersigned someone's passport giving her occupation as 'housewife'. There were no problems.

Nonsense. The list is here Countersignatory occupations

perhaps she was retired from one, or she was a company director, charity trustee etc. “Housewife” would not be accepted.

Mumof1andacat · 20/12/2022 18:41

The can be retired from one of the recognised professions. Do you know someone who owns a Vat registered business? A self employed person. A Childminder, pre school owner or dog walker

superdupernova · 20/12/2022 18:41

Hmm the list from @TerraNostra doesn't mention them needing to know you (unless a doctor). I'd be inclined to knock on neighbour's doors or if you're too shy, call the Salvation Army and explain your predicament. It says a Salvation Army Officer is acceptable.

Clymene · 20/12/2022 18:44

superdupernova · 20/12/2022 18:41

Hmm the list from @TerraNostra doesn't mention them needing to know you (unless a doctor). I'd be inclined to knock on neighbour's doors or if you're too shy, call the Salvation Army and explain your predicament. It says a Salvation Army Officer is acceptable.

Of course they need to know you. They have to sign the photo and say that it's a photo of you. If they don't know you, they can't do that.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 20/12/2022 18:44

mondaytosunday · 20/12/2022 18:26

Im sure I got mine countersigned at the post office using my drivers license as ID. Lawyers would do it too for a fee.

Not for a uk passport unless they are incredibly dodgy lawyers

ProfYaffle · 20/12/2022 18:45

superdupernova · 20/12/2022 18:41

Hmm the list from @TerraNostra doesn't mention them needing to know you (unless a doctor). I'd be inclined to knock on neighbour's doors or if you're too shy, call the Salvation Army and explain your predicament. It says a Salvation Army Officer is acceptable.

The previous page on that link 'Who can sign' states the known for 2 years requirement.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 20/12/2022 18:46

superdupernova · 20/12/2022 18:41

Hmm the list from @TerraNostra doesn't mention them needing to know you (unless a doctor). I'd be inclined to knock on neighbour's doors or if you're too shy, call the Salvation Army and explain your predicament. It says a Salvation Army Officer is acceptable.

The whole point is that they do know you, that's what they are saying to say

JudithHarper · 20/12/2022 18:54

TerraNostra · 20/12/2022 18:36

Nonsense. The list is here Countersignatory occupations

perhaps she was retired from one, or she was a company director, charity trustee etc. “Housewife” would not be accepted.

Show quote history

Perhaps you missed the part that said "be 'a person of good standing in their community'"?

Just about anyone can countersign a passport, if they have one of their own.

dementedpixie · 20/12/2022 18:55

The whole point of signing is to say you know who they are:

You can only confirm someone’s identity if you

are 18 or over
live in the UK
have a current UK passport
have known the person applying for at least 2 years (this is the adult making the application if the passport is for a child under 16)
know the person applying as a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)

Unforgettablefire · 20/12/2022 18:56

dementedpixie · 20/12/2022 18:08

A GP won't do it unless they know you personally as a friend

Rubbish. My GP signed mine and I wasn't a personal friend.

CactusFlowers · 20/12/2022 18:57

Unforgettablefire · 20/12/2022 18:56

Rubbish. My GP signed mine and I wasn't a personal friend.

Show quote history

They used to, they now cannot sign unless they are a friend.

TerraNostra · 20/12/2022 18:58

No, I did not miss that part. The good standing would have to be confirmed by the passport office, you can’t just say it without evidence. The shortcut to doing that is to have the person be from one of the professions. I posted the link in response to a person saying that their mate put down occupation: “housewife” and nobody asked any questions.

TerraNostra · 20/12/2022 18:58

Unforgettablefire · 20/12/2022 18:56

Rubbish. My GP signed mine and I wasn't a personal friend.

Show quote history

It’s stated clearly in the link I posted.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 20/12/2022 18:58

Unforgettablefire · 20/12/2022 18:56

Rubbish. My GP signed mine and I wasn't a personal friend.

Show quote history

Was that recently? I'm sure I've read that they are now only allowed to do it for people they know outside of being their GP

CactusFlowers · 20/12/2022 18:59

What about an old friend of the family, even someone who knew you as a child/teen?

Local shopkeeper?

Boss or former boss?

anyone who owns their own business? Even a small business?

Former tutor/teacher from college?

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 20/12/2022 19:00

Unforgettablefire · 20/12/2022 18:56

Rubbish. My GP signed mine and I wasn't a personal friend.

Show quote history

Definitely not rubbish

www.tfmg.org.uk/news/no-longer-able-to-counter-sign-passport

TerraNostra · 20/12/2022 19:01

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 20/12/2022 18:58

Was that recently? I'm sure I've read that they are now only allowed to do it for people they know outside of being their GP

Show quote history

Here:

passport anger
Cryingbutstilltrying · 20/12/2022 19:02

Are you in touch with old school friends on Facebook or similar? Now it’s all done online they don’t need to be someone physically near to you. I’ve done a few for friends I’ve not seen for years, but I know them and would recognise them.
A friend posted on her Facebook that she had exactly this problem and within about 10 minutes she had more than one offer from people who were able to do it. The list is far more accessible than it used to be.

Unforgettablefire · 20/12/2022 19:03

Bloody hell! I take my comment back, yes it was a while ago now and my last one was a renewal so more than ten years.
Apologies! I wonder why it changed?

DrSmoot · 20/12/2022 19:03

How old are you op? Just wondering how long ago you left education? I had a friend that went back to her local college a couple of years after leaving and got her old lecturer to complete it for her. They were happy to do so and had coffee and cake and a catch up. Is that an option?

bellac11 · 20/12/2022 19:03

2bazookas · 20/12/2022 18:23

You have no neighbours, no employer, no work colleagues; no GP, dentist, vet,
local pharmacist???????

GPs and dentists havent done them for years I dont know why people keep suggesting that

Most peopl ehavent really got someone who not only has known them for 2 years, comes into the categeory on the form AND has their own passport as well

purplecorkheart · 20/12/2022 19:08

Wow I am glad I am not in the UK. In Ireland it is much easier or it was anyway. Just call to the Garda station and get your form and photo stamped by the officer on duty.

Op I know this sounds dumb but go through all the contacts in your phone. Maybe there might be someone there that you have not thought of.

Blueblell · 20/12/2022 19:09

I have heard (anecdotal info) that if you don’t have someone to sign you can indeed write to them explaining that and they might waive the countersignature.

TerraNostra · 20/12/2022 19:12

Blueblell · 20/12/2022 19:09

I have heard (anecdotal info) that if you don’t have someone to sign you can indeed write to them explaining that and they might waive the countersignature.

OP says that she/he was told that by the passport office helpline.

LubaLuca · 20/12/2022 19:12

A neighbour with a job, or a previous neighbour?
Friends of the family, even someone you haven't seen for years would be able to.
Do you socialise at all? Maybe in a group or team?
Have you known anyone in your community for long enough? Corner shop owner, vicar, someone who runs a youth group (you don't need to be a member!)?