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Original poster

Passport problem

38 replies

Nothingtohide · 08/04/2023 13:46

I'm trying to get my first adult passport.
Problem is I don't have a countersigner at all I mean know one.
I don't know anyone I have no children so know no teachers gp's don't do it my neighbors don't have passports and i don't have friends with passports either. No work mates it sounds odd but I don't know anyone that can countersign.
I'm NC with family .
I know some Mumnetters will say how can you not know anyone but that's the way it is right now .
So I rang the passport office and explained all I got told to send as much ID as I can and a cover letter explaining why I can't get anyone to countersign then it's up to the office to decide on it.
I really don't want to lose money so it's a risk I'm not sure about.
As anyone else had this problem.

OP posts:
LIZS · 08/04/2023 13:58

Have you ever had a child's passport? Do you work , volunteer, have any neighbours who may be eligible?

mybeautifuloak · 08/04/2023 14:00

No one at work at all? A supervisor? Manager? HR?
No one at any previous job? No pjs you went to school with? How do you not have a GP?

Original poster
Nothingtohide · 08/04/2023 14:01

No ive never had a childs passpport either .

OP posts:
Original poster
Nothingtohide · 08/04/2023 14:02

i do have a gp but they dont contersign for anyone anymore .

OP posts:
Cantthinkofadifferentname · 08/04/2023 14:03

Are you employed?

Original poster
Nothingtohide · 08/04/2023 14:04

self employed

OP posts:
TheChosenTwo · 08/04/2023 14:04

I would imagine that if they can’t give you a passport based on that information they might return the money? I don’t know but obviously!!
Where are you trying to go?

dementedpixie · 08/04/2023 14:05

Do you not know any other self employed people?
Hairdresser, corner shop owner, etc

RandomMess · 08/04/2023 14:06

It could be a long standing client or friend if of good standing in the community"? They don't need to live locally as it's done on line.

Any old school or college people you could track down?

Hellocatshome · 08/04/2023 14:06

If you arenself employed who are your clients? Could anybody them do it? Do you have any hobbies through which you know other people? Are you a regular at a local shop/pub etc?

meatbaseddessert · 08/04/2023 14:07

If you are self employed have you not got an accountant or lawyer you've used ?

CombatBarbie · 08/04/2023 14:07

The bank? They can confirm who you are due to the bank acct.

None of your friends have passports?? I find that a bit odd.

Mumof1andacat · 08/04/2023 14:08

As a self-employed person, does your business use an accountant? My friend signed my so as she was a business owner. Do you know a business owner?

Original poster
Nothingtohide · 08/04/2023 14:09

i keep to myself for years i have my resins for that so it's hard to find someone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nothingtohide · 08/04/2023 14:12

my bank wont do it either i rang them it's not something they do anymore.

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 08/04/2023 14:12

Nothingtohide · 08/04/2023 14:09

i keep to myself for years i have my resins for that so it's hard to find someone.

Yes but as a self employed person you must do something for at least one someone else. Sell something or provide a service.

Cismyfatarse · 08/04/2023 14:14

Do you use a regular service? Hairdresser? Chiropodist? Counsellor?

ibis17 · 08/04/2023 14:16

Do you get medication from the pharmacy? We had a similar problem (we know quite a lot of people but still found it hard to find someone who was able to sign, so don’t feel bad!)

would one of your old school teachers do it?

ibis17 · 08/04/2023 14:17

Sorry - meant to say that you can ask a pharmacist to do it!

OriginalUsername2 · 08/04/2023 14:20

This is why it’s important to build your own community if you can. If you volunteer and join a club or do a course you could be in a much better position in a couple of years with a few friends and some possible referees.

Send off all your ID. Parents birth certificates will help. They won’t charge you if they can’t do it.

Mumof1andacat · 08/04/2023 14:25

Do you go to the hair dressers?, any beauty treatments? The salon owner might do it. Your local newsagents owner? Do you deal with other business owners as a self employed person. The vets? Post office owners? Someone with a professional qualification like chartered accountant, management?

Clevs · 08/04/2023 14:29

It can be a retired person too, they don't have to be actively working. Just to widen your scope of options.

LadyGAgain · 08/04/2023 14:31

Can you pay a solicitor to do it? Take birth certificate and other documents. They will charge but it's an option possibly?

gogohmm · 08/04/2023 14:35

Can you think of any childhood friends etc? Do you attend church ever?

pizzaHeart · 08/04/2023 14:45

Do they need to know you by sight e.g the lady who lives in number 47 or do they need to know your actual name and surname?
I wonder if it’s about your reluctance to approach people rather than exactly not knowing anyone.