I haven't got anyone to sign DDs passport, what do I do?

[MeGustaHelado]

Dr's won't do it.
Teachers at her school say they aren't allowed to do it.
The 2 people I know who have listed jobs don't have current passports themselves so cannot sign hers.

It's been a week since we applied and we can't find anyone!

Do you know the nurse at your local surgery? Are they allowed to do it?

I don't know her personally no.

Do you know anyone who owns their own business?

You might know more people than you think. The list also means you can include ‘and similar jobs’. Have you anyone you can think of with a similar sort of job? Or who has a vat registered company?

I think they relaxed the rules about who can sign relatively recently - there's a long list at www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications/accepted-occupations-for-countersignatories or "someone of good standing in their community", which sounds pretty flexible. As long as they're not related to you, currently in prison for fraud, or work for the passport office, I would pick someone you know with a current passport and ask them to do it. They'll ask you to try again if the person really isn't suitable.

Neighbours or work colleagues?

No. No one at all.
I have a very small social circle it seems.

Do you know anyone who runs their own business? Local news agent or corner shop? Playgroup leader or know anyone who does brownies/scouts? Are any of your former teachers still teaching at the school you attended? Previous employers?

If not, maybe contact the helpline and ask their advice. I doubt you are the first to struggle.

Most people I know just work in retail.

There's a big catch all that says it can also be signed by a 'member of good standing in the community' so you can pretty much ask anyone to sign as long as they're not a criminal. I've signed for a few people and my job isn't on the listed jobs and they've had no problem with the applications.

What do you mean the teachers won't do it? I think you need to ask the Head.

I'm an ex-primary teacher, most of my time spent on supply and I've been able to verify passports for people just on the basis of that, even when out of work!

Are any of them managers or key holders?

I'm currently applying for my youngest 2s passport the business manager in the school I work in will sign may be worth just popping in school office and asking for your schools business manager or head x

The list of professions isn't exhaustive . In practice they accept every profession including retired people

Do you know anyone with a passport? If so they can sign it.

Nursery or preschool manager? Or childminder? A teacher friend? Anyone's sister or brother or mother or father that also knows you?

Do you or your DD's dad work? Your/his boss could probably sign it, if they've known you for 2 years.

I asked a neighbour. Failing that I would have popped into the local church and asked somebody there.

I emailed her teacher to ask and she said 'Unfortunately the Trust does not allow us to do this'

Chair of your school PTA or one of the governors?

I'll go up in flames. No thankyou 😂

OK, I've a couple of ideas, I didn't realise it was a little more relaxed.

Hopefully one of the people in mind will be sufficient.

Dentist or the dental nurse can sign x

How old is your DD? Any of her teachers past or present can sign it as long as they have known YOU for 2 years.

I still think you shouĺd ask the Head again.
Do you know any teachers or former teachers in your neighbourhood or workplace then? Or any professionals/former professionals?

Have you gone through a list of everyone?

Friend
Friend's partner
Friend's parent
Your DC's friends' parents
Community police officer
Local shop owner
Your parent's friends
Your partner's friends
Neighbours
Colleagues
Your manager

Surely there's one?