Can a TA sign a passport?

[IndiaRose22]

Hi! Does anyone know if a Teaching Assistant counts as a 'recognised profession' to be able to countersign passports? I am a qualified teacher however work as a TA now. Thanks!

I have and it was fine

If you are a qualified teacher then yes. If not, then no.

No they don’t. You have to have a professional qualification such as doctor, solicitor, teacher or social worker. TAs don’t have the necessary credentials

You don't have to have a professional qualification. I'm a civil servant and can sign passports. Not sure about TAs, but I would've said no.

You have to have a professional qualification such as doctor, solicitor, teacher or social worker. are you sure?

This. I'd say you are still a teacher even though currently working as a TA.

Strictly speaking probably not but it worked for me.
I had this situation a couple
of months ago. My TA friend signed it before I realised it might not count (on my way to the passport office) and it was approved.

It's the qualification that counts not the job

A TA surely is of good standing in the community

It doesn't have to be on the list of jobs as people 'of good standing in the community' can also sign.

I would say a TA would be fine to verify an identity for a passport application

Accepted occupations for countersignatories
Your countersignatory must either:
• work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
• be ‘a person of good standing in their community’

So they are good standing in the community.

You're not in a recognised profession. Are you a member of a professional body. No.

A TA would have had to have a dbs check and is well known in their community so absolutely would be fine.
The list of people able to countersign a passport now is far more flexible than it used to be.
Scout/Guide leaders, small business owners, childminders, anyone with a dbs, all these would be accepted regardless of qualifications. In fact many of the traditional signatories such as doctors are now not eligible unless a personal friend.

I think you can . I am a teacher and asked the Head Teachers PA to sign mine and it was fine .