Nobody to countersign passport?

[DenimDuck]

I really need a passport. Mainly for jobs but also travel

I've been applying for jobs for a while and 99% want a passport before offering anything
I don't have one

What do I do?

I ask my doctor and they can't sign for it. same as my dentist.

I don't know anyone that can sign for me

What am I supposed to do?

Never have another job or passport?
I've looked into every option and I can't get a passport. Feeling totally helpless

Just give up? Life on benefits? Nobody seems to have options

Any neighbourhood WhatsApp? I have signed for a few neighbours over the years.

My son's childminder did both of my children's passports.

Any of your friends can sign for her, as long as they know her enough to vouch for who she is?

Op, anyone who has a small business can sign - hairdresser etc? Parent of a child’s friend etc? Someone you used to work with?

Honestly, neighbours are the best bet in this situation. I like to keep on friendly terms with mine for this very reason. You never know when you may need their help. Also from a practical point of view, you don't have far to travel to discuss the process, or look at paperwork together.

If they can't help directly, they can help get someone to sign on their behalf for you.

Think about friends, neighbours, partners of people. What professions are they in?

Do you know anyone "of good standing in the community" well enough?

You mention wanting one for a job, are you anticipating a job where you need to actually travel or are you thinking ahead for right to work checks? If the latter, there are other ways so don't let it stop you from applying.

How would that work? It needs to be someone who has known the OP for at least 2 years and they need to specify on the form how they know her as they are verifying they are who they say they are. An MP can’t just sign for a random walking in off the street!

OP - it doesn’t need to be someone who you are close friends with. Are any of your parents friends who knew you as a child suitable (even if they are now retired)? Any local businesses where you are a client - eg hairdresser, nail salon, etc? Your own former teachers or a teacher at your kid’s schools? Anyone you went to school with yourself who you are friends on social media with? If you have used a lawyer professionally for any reason, divorce, house purchase, etc they could do it. If you rent your property, your landlord or letting agent?

Whilst you may not have friends in these professions, it’s hard to think that there is absolutely no one you have ever interacted with in your entire life who fits into the fairly wide criteria to do this!

Tradesmen - plumber I suspect counts as a professional engineer ?

The only real use of my chartered accountant qualification is signing passport photos...!

This is ridiculous! Ask a friend or colleague!

Does she have carers or a social worker who could do it? Or a lawyer perhaps who has acted for her in the past - eg done her will or conveyancing. Or more morbidly a funeral director if she has had to organise a funeral more than 2 years ago.

OP has said she is looking for work and doesn’t have friends in these professions so that’s not particularly helpful advice really!

Not having a passport isn't a barrier to getting a job, you can provide alternative ID. Thousands of people don't have passports, they're not unemployable!

But if you're sure you want one, start asking your neighbours or perhaps a friend of your parents. They don't need to be close friends, just someone who's known you for minimum two years.
People you went to school with.
Do you have a hairdresser you've known for long enough? They often own their own business.

You can pay a Commissioner for Oaths (Notary). A lot of solicitors firms have a notary on site.

This is a thing which generally affects poorer people, you can't really just pop to the local pharmacy and hope they will sign your passport photo because you may have picked up a prescription once or twice, they need to have known you personally for two years. My DF (separated from us and not local) couldn't get anyone to sign his, he asked in the Nationwide as he was in there loads, as older people often are and they wouldn't sign it.

I don’t think it’s a great system really as it effects those less well off or isolated people

But for work purposes if you mean right to work you can use your birth cert and document showing your NI number

Do you know any PTA committee people at school? They are charity trustees so a person of standing.

Just adding to help others in case this doesn't apply to the OP.

Don't they usually charge?

I always admire the responders to these types of threads. They give up their time to post ideas that an OP may not have thought of or realised.

Truth is, it's a pity party post. The OPs either never come back, or they will deny knowing anyone who could possible meet the criteria.

In all my years here, I've never seen a success story 😂

The travel insurance cost alone for someone that age may make it prohibitive. Though I guess for one day it might be a more manageable amount.

Yes my Dh signed a few years ago for a friend's passport his job classes him as an engineer.

Op anybody who is upstanding can sign, as long as they have known you over a certain amount of years maybe 3,? Your hairdresser if a business owner can countersign.

Do you have children in GirlGuiding or Scouts or another youth group? The leaders count as good standing in community - if the kids have been in long enough then they would be able to sign.

Attend a place of worship?

Volunteer?

Playgroup or day centre leaders?

Everything can be done on line down so the person can sign when convenient

I did dds online and it just asked for some one over 18

Sent them the link and they did it.

Or anything like a sports club - if private the leader will be running their own business, if voluntary they are a community leader.

Agreed. I've been on at least 5 of them I reckon. Always the same. OP claims they don't know anyone. Lots of people helpfully point out the list isn't as intimidating as it sounds and isn't exhaustive. OP refuses to say what jobs any of her friends have and continues to complain it's unfair. OP disappears.