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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:
dementedpixie · 30/12/2023 16:41

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.

They arent supposed to sign them unless they know you personally rather than just as your gp/dentist

Libertyy · 30/12/2023 16:41

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.

Doctors not accepted by HMPO anymore unless friends or neighbours so you can try but they can reject it and ask for someone else

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:41

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

if I cant get one im just going to go without one! and pray and hope they accept ive never done my own passport application before and never knew it would be so hard !

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 30/12/2023 16:41

You say you are self employed... anumy customers that have known you for over 2 years?

VisionsOfSplendour · 30/12/2023 16:42

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?

That's specifically against the rules so I'd be wary about using them as you might have your application investigated

I'm very surprised they'd do that, there are only 2 categories of people who can't sign and doctors are 1 of them (unless of course they are genuinely your friend)

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:42

dementedpixie · 30/12/2023 16:41

They arent supposed to sign them unless they know you personally rather than just as your gp/dentist

Show quote history

yeah the guy I rang up to ask the the pp office said no because they would barley see me tbh im just going to go without one as I don't think I have any other choice and pray they accept

OP posts:
Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:43

my neighbour replied saying they both cant... so I cant get a signature so ill have to hope they accept but im really stressed out if they don't

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 30/12/2023 16:44

This is what the guidance says about needing a countersignature:

  • renewal of a passport if your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised from your existing passport

If you can be recognised from the old picture you won't need a countersignature

Libertyy · 30/12/2023 16:46

ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:41

if I cant get one im just going to go without one! and pray and hope they accept ive never done my own passport application before and never knew it would be so hard !

Show quote history

It is worth a try tbh because you have the other passport to fall back on so if you’re recognised you should be fine. Do you know any shop keepers with an alcohol license? Anyone who works in civil service? Any managers?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/12/2023 16:46

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.

They should only do it if they know you in a personal ( not professional) capacity, and are happy to share their NI number etc with you.

In practice people tend to help out if asked and you seem trustworthy. I used to sign for colleagues and sometimes clients when Irish passport holders could do it.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/12/2023 16:47

Btw if the passport office are in doubt they ring the signatory - if they can reach you they are perfectly reasonable, but if the signatory is a doctor and not easily reached by phone they will reject it.

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:48

Libertyy · 30/12/2023 16:46

It is worth a try tbh because you have the other passport to fall back on so if you’re recognised you should be fine. Do you know any shop keepers with an alcohol license? Anyone who works in civil service? Any managers?

Edited
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well I am going to have to as my neighbour said they both cant, So I have no choice now and its stressful as I could lose 160! ugh
and nope no one of that sort

OP posts:
Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:49

TheYearOfSmallThings · 30/12/2023 16:46

They should only do it if they know you in a personal ( not professional) capacity, and are happy to share their NI number etc with you.

In practice people tend to help out if asked and you seem trustworthy. I used to sign for colleagues and sometimes clients when Irish passport holders could do it.

Show quote history

I never see the same doctor though and I barely go to the doctor :(

OP posts:
Cryingbutstilltrying · 30/12/2023 16:50

If you have Facebook it’s worth putting a post up asking if anyone can do it. I see them all the time from old school friends and have done them for people I haven’t seen for years but know. Obviously not quite so easy if you need it in person (the online renewals are so easy) but worth knowing for the future.
Hopefully the old passport and an interview will be ok for you.

greenacrylicpaint · 30/12/2023 16:50

to assure you, my dc justvreceivee their first adult passports.
their last child ones were expired (photos from when they were 6&7 yo).
no counter signature was required and turn around was about 2 weeks.

but for f sake. go out. meet people.

Xenia · 30/12/2023 16:51

Hopefully if you look similar the personal appointment will go fine without the counter signature. I think my twins' last one aged 20 did not need a counter- signature although they looked like men rather than the little boy ones of the previous one of 5 years before. I just cannot remember now if we needed a counter signature or not. Probably not and I did it online with them - it was a renewal not a first ever one.

Good luck.

Libertyy · 30/12/2023 16:53

Any friends of friends that can help? Any one who is retired that you know?

Xenia · 30/12/2023 16:53

(On who to ask it is not always easy for people - we assume everyone must know someone but lots of people have no friends, connections, relationships with non family members and these days may not even go to church every week so know their vicar or priest. I have seen my doctor twice in 15 years - not that it seems doctors can do it. I am a lawyer so know other lawyers etc. Easy for me although I hate asking anyone. However plenty of people know very few people to ask. )

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:56

Xenia · 30/12/2023 16:51

Hopefully if you look similar the personal appointment will go fine without the counter signature. I think my twins' last one aged 20 did not need a counter- signature although they looked like men rather than the little boy ones of the previous one of 5 years before. I just cannot remember now if we needed a counter signature or not. Probably not and I did it online with them - it was a renewal not a first ever one.

Good luck.

a lot of people saying its better online but I need my passport asap ugh this is so stressful but honestly I think I look. the same just bit more weight has been gained so fingers crossed im just going to move my appointment forward to get this over with !

OP posts:
Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:57

Cryingbutstilltrying · 30/12/2023 16:50

If you have Facebook it’s worth putting a post up asking if anyone can do it. I see them all the time from old school friends and have done them for people I haven’t seen for years but know. Obviously not quite so easy if you need it in person (the online renewals are so easy) but worth knowing for the future.
Hopefully the old passport and an interview will be ok for you.

don't have Facebook 🙁

OP posts:
Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:58

Xenia · 30/12/2023 16:53

(On who to ask it is not always easy for people - we assume everyone must know someone but lots of people have no friends, connections, relationships with non family members and these days may not even go to church every week so know their vicar or priest. I have seen my doctor twice in 15 years - not that it seems doctors can do it. I am a lawyer so know other lawyers etc. Easy for me although I hate asking anyone. However plenty of people know very few people to ask. )

I know like I know people in my family on the list but they cant be related! even friends ive known In the past even now I know they don't have one of them jobs or they are not employed so its actually super hard !

OP posts:
Libertyy · 30/12/2023 17:01

ransomans · 30/12/2023 16:58

I know like I know people in my family on the list but they cant be related! even friends ive known In the past even now I know they don't have one of them jobs or they are not employed so its actually super hard !

Show quote history

So ask your family to ask the people they know, people will usually do it for their friend’s siblings or friends children

Libertyy · 30/12/2023 17:05

People who have known of you and can recognise you can do it too. Ask your family to ask around for you. Ask your parents who countersigned the passport you had as a child

PuttingDownRoots · 30/12/2023 17:27

Do you have a driving license?

Original poster
ransomans · 30/12/2023 17:43

PuttingDownRoots · 30/12/2023 17:27

Do you have a driving license?

hiya yes I have a driving license

OP posts: