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Original poster

counter signature for pp pic

69 replies

ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:04

im seriously stressed I have a fast track appointment booked for Friday was initially Wednesday but ive had to keep pushing it back as I cant find anyone to counter sign my passport and really stuck on what to do

for info
im going from an child passport my last one to renewing it as an adult one, so in my last passport picture im 13 and im now 23, I would say I look the same just gained weight from being 13..
so I have new pictures, and since im worried about them being significantly differern im trying to get a co sign to verify my identity
but I rang the passport office and mentioned its 10 years old they said you'll look significantly different but its not like ive had a nose job or anything..

I have looked through the list over and over and I don't know anyone on that list who ive knows more than 2 years im self employed and don't have a boss etc ti ask I don't have a local shop I visit frequently o ask the guy on the phone from the pp office he said a dentist cant, gps don't anymore either.

I have no friends etc

ive messaged my neighbour as ive lived here for 7 plus years and they would know me if they saw me etc but waiting a reply plus they must have a bristsh in date passport and im not sure they are in any of them professions listed either as I think they lady is a old people carer and the man might still run his own business but I don't know if he still does that.

im so stressed and feeling hopeless about this as I need to go abroad asap

as a thought could my sisters partner who they've been together 5 plus years who is an accountant do this for me? but it says cant be in the family

ugh im so stuck

OP posts:
Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:06

( my sisters boyfriend theyre not married but live together )

OP posts:
scrunchmum · 30/12/2023 16:07

Assuming your sister isn't married to this person it's ok

Who cannot be your countersignatory
You cannot ask someone to countersign your passport if you’re:
• related to them by birth or marriage
• in a relationship with or live at the same address as them

scrunchmum · 30/12/2023 16:08

Source is gov website

www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

DiegosMomHasGotItGoingOn · 30/12/2023 16:09

Your sisters boyfriend can do it.

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:18

ive messaged my sister asking him to but he doesn't have a British passport 😩

OP posts:
Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:23

DiegosMomHasGotItGoingOn · 30/12/2023 16:09

Your sisters boyfriend can do it.

he doesn't have British passport I just asked

OP posts:
Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:23

scrunchmum · 30/12/2023 16:07

Assuming your sister isn't married to this person it's ok

Who cannot be your countersignatory
You cannot ask someone to countersign your passport if you’re:
• related to them by birth or marriage
• in a relationship with or live at the same address as them

I asked I cant use him actually he doesn't have British pp

OP posts:
KnickerlessParsons · 30/12/2023 16:23

Go and knock on your neighbours door.
Do you have any friends that might fit the bill? Or friends of your parents?
Could an old teacher or college lecturer sign for you?

Ambivax · 30/12/2023 16:26

The list is much wider than it used to be - it basically is anyone of good standing in the community with a British passport (who knows you obviously). Our hairdresser did my DC’s!

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:26

KnickerlessParsons · 30/12/2023 16:23

Go and knock on your neighbours door.
Do you have any friends that might fit the bill? Or friends of your parents?
Could an old teacher or college lecturer sign for you?

I will if they don't answer the message I sent them
and I have no friends embarrassingly haven't since I was like 18
I left school in 2016 so I highly doubt they will

OP posts:
Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:27

Ambivax · 30/12/2023 16:26

The list is much wider than it used to be - it basically is anyone of good standing in the community with a British passport (who knows you obviously). Our hairdresser did my DC’s!

so if my neighbour who is like a community carer I belive and she has a valid British pp could she then ?

OP posts:
Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:27

even if she isn't self employed shell be employed by someone

OP posts:
Chilicabbage · 30/12/2023 16:28

Have you got an accountant?

VisionsOfSplendour · 30/12/2023 16:30

ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:27

even if she isn't self employed shell be employed by someone

You dont have to be employed to sign a passport if that's worrying you

whichspidermummy · 30/12/2023 16:33

My stepson got his first adult passport this year - he's 32! So it's a significantly longer period since his childhood one. He didn't have to have anyone countersign his.

DD (13) also renewed hers. Her first one was when she was 6 and she also didn't have anyone countersign it.

SardineJam · 30/12/2023 16:35

My doctor's surgery do countersigning, they do charge a fee, but if you have no other options, why don't you try yours?

Libertyy · 30/12/2023 16:36

whichspidermummy · 30/12/2023 16:33

My stepson got his first adult passport this year - he's 32! So it's a significantly longer period since his childhood one. He didn't have to have anyone countersign his.

DD (13) also renewed hers. Her first one was when she was 6 and she also didn't have anyone countersign it.

Just to kindly point out, first adult passport is a term used by HMPO for adults who have never had passports so these ones usually do need passport interview’s and counter signatures. His was a renewal and because he’s an adult it’s an adult renewal. Renewals over 12 years of age usually don’t need countersigned unless the passports have been lost or you haven’t had a passport renewed for 20+ years

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:36

whichspidermummy · 30/12/2023 16:33

My stepson got his first adult passport this year - he's 32! So it's a significantly longer period since his childhood one. He didn't have to have anyone countersign his.

DD (13) also renewed hers. Her first one was when she was 6 and she also didn't have anyone countersign it.

im probably not going to be able to get a countersign so this gives me hope I mean I can seee how the pictures look like me so hopefully they can! I really don't think I look different just gained some weight not loads but this gives me hope
just annoying as if they don't accept ive wasted £160 as its not refundable ugh im gunna pray!

OP posts:
Libertyy · 30/12/2023 16:37

Doctors are not supposed to do them any more for their patients so 99% of the time they’ll say no unless they know you as a friend or neighbour

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:38

Libertyy · 30/12/2023 16:36

Just to kindly point out, first adult passport is a term used by HMPO for adults who have never had passports so these ones usually do need passport interview’s and counter signatures. His was a renewal and because he’s an adult it’s an adult renewal. Renewals over 12 years of age usually don’t need countersigned unless the passports have been lost or you haven’t had a passport renewed for 20+ years

Show quote history

so should my passport be ok without a co sign as im renewing from a child one ( was 13 when it got issued) and im now 23 to an adult one my old passport is not damaged or stolen simply a renewal

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 30/12/2023 16:38

If you could be recognised from the old picture then you shouldn't need a countersignature

Libertyy · 30/12/2023 16:39

Women are usually fine OP and can normally be recognised from their previous pictures as our puberty isn’t so harsh, I renewed mine last year at 20 year old and the picture was me as a 6 year old. Do it online, you’ll most likely get away with it

DRS1970 · 30/12/2023 16:40

I can assure you that dentists and GPs can countersign passport applications, but they will likely charge you a few unless you know them well enough and they do it as a favour.

dementedpixie · 30/12/2023 16:40

She's going for an appointment as it's a fast track passport. I doubt you'll need a countersignature tbh

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:40

Libertyy · 30/12/2023 16:39

Women are usually fine OP and can normally be recognised from their previous pictures as our puberty isn’t so harsh, I renewed mine last year at 20 year old and the picture was me as a 6 year old. Do it online, you’ll most likely get away with it

yeah I think I look the same im just a bit heavier my face has filled out but you can tell its me from the ears and nose for sure! I have to do it in person the 1 week fast track as im pregnant and need to go abroad before im due so cant be waiting the 10 weeks it could take !

OP posts: