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Original poster

Passport application has failed

117 replies

TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme · 04/06/2025 07:09

My friends passport application has failed due to me not meeting the requirements as a counter signatory.

Thing is, I do have a profession that is on the list...almost. I have a profession that is very close to one of the ones listed but I have Registered in my title as I am governed by a professional body. I've signed loads of passports for people. My passport is in date etc so I don't know why it has failed. My friend doesn't really know anyone else who can countersign it for her and we go on holiday in 3.5 weeks. (She was a last minute addition to our booking)

Had this happened to anyone else and us there anything I can do to help? I'm going to be calling the passport office but I doubt they will speak to me.

Tia

OP posts:

user1476613140 · 07/06/2025 10:35

Wheelz46 · 04/06/2025 07:48

This has happened to me, my countersignature failed due to the amount of passports they have previously signed.

They didn't mention this in the reply back but when I called the passport office, this is what I was told.

Honestly hadn't considered that this could impact others, if a countersignatory has signed x amount of passports previously. Thanks for passing that information on.

Ifpicklesweretickles · 07/06/2025 14:28

ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 07/06/2025 08:50

Apparently with an online application, all the person wanting a passport does is provide the email address of someone. All that person is sent is a photo of the person, to confirm it’s a true likeness.

You seem to be taking this very personally!

Show quote history

These are the details they'd need you to supply to the countersignatory acquaintenance, neigbour etx at the minimum who'll then will fill them out for.thr home office

Photos
Full names for everyone, including the kids
Dates of birth
Address for everyone
Places of birth, hospital
Probably more..

Then they need for your signatory to share their own passport details and share their own personal information.

This is way too much personal information especially for kids who aren't able even to consent to the sharin

It's good you've been luckily enough to not need it nor suffer from identify fraud or otherwise bad intentions.

Ifpicklesweretickles · 07/06/2025 14:31

cardboardvillage · 07/06/2025 08:18

somebody recently posted on our street WhatsApp group asking for passport sign. Somebody replied back. Yes, im a lawyer. Try that

Well good for them, but what if she's not lived there for 2 years or there is nobody willing to say who you say you are "verify identity" for people they barely know. How the hell do these random neighbours know you are who you are and the details are correct. It shouldn't be like this. Outside of mumsnet people don't have street whatsapp groups either and in big cities you mostly don't know who's next door

ThisIsMyYearToFindMyself · 07/06/2025 16:49

Ifpicklesweretickles · 07/06/2025 14:28

These are the details they'd need you to supply to the countersignatory acquaintenance, neigbour etx at the minimum who'll then will fill them out for.thr home office

Photos
Full names for everyone, including the kids
Dates of birth
Address for everyone
Places of birth, hospital
Probably more..

Then they need for your signatory to share their own passport details and share their own personal information.

This is way too much personal information especially for kids who aren't able even to consent to the sharin

It's good you've been luckily enough to not need it nor suffer from identify fraud or otherwise bad intentions.

Show quote history

Bognor Regis it is then.

I just had a look at a Bognor tourist site, it looks really nice actually. Amazing beach.

Boomer55 · 07/06/2025 16:59

I’m an ex civil servant (retired) and they are happy for me to sign psssports.

Do you know anyone that works or has worked for a government department?

Oldraver · 07/06/2025 17:05

My OH's counter signature was recently refused, social worker who has done lots before

Passport Office won't shed any light as to why he was refused

Oldraver · 07/06/2025 17:08

user1476613140 · 07/06/2025 10:35

Honestly hadn't considered that this could impact others, if a countersignatory has signed x amount of passports previously. Thanks for passing that information on.

Show quote history

Oh just seen this, very interesting

RisingSunn · 07/06/2025 17:09

I actually think it’s because you’ve done a few before. I used the same person to countersign 2 of my children’s applications.

One failed - the other was fine. 🙄

DancingNotDrowning · 07/06/2025 17:17

I counter sign a reasonable number of passports and have had one turned once, with no indication why and one where they phoned with questions.

it’s a weird opaque system

florizel13 · 07/06/2025 17:17

Ifpicklesweretickles · 04/06/2025 20:09

Those aren't acceptable as countersignatories, you are spiuting musinformation.

Nor should we be giving those random people our personal details.

And many people aren't into any of those things anyway and wouldn't know anyone like that.

So many support this old shite that you'd probably see nothing wrong with a guardianship system either.

Show quote history

Registered nurses can sign, I’ve often done so!

Original poster

TodaysFishIsTroutALaCreme · 07/06/2025 22:29

givememarmite · 07/06/2025 08:17

I just wanted to add that you should not worry about getting the passport back in time. My passport renewal was approved on Wednesday, printed Thursday and sent out yesterday. It is due to arrive (country abroad) on Tuesday. Am sure your friend will have hers next week!

Didn't have to wait until next week - it came today!!!

I can now relax 😁

OP posts:

givememarmite · 07/06/2025 22:44

Oh that's great news! Hope you all have a lovely holiday

caringcarer · 08/06/2025 00:02

Wheelz46 · 04/06/2025 07:48

This has happened to me, my countersignature failed due to the amount of passports they have previously signed.

They didn't mention this in the reply back but when I called the passport office, this is what I was told.

Years ago I was a teacher in a busy school Sixth Form and signed so many passport applications each year for students as I'd taught them through GCSE and then A levels, and none of them ever failed but maybe they have tightened up.

cardboardvillage · 08/06/2025 09:33

EverythingElseIsTaken · 07/06/2025 10:19

I’ve known most of the people on my street WhatsApp group for well over two years. Know their names, they know mine. No idea what most of them do for a living! Doubt any of them know that “Geoff who is always happy to help any neighbour with DIY ‘cos he has all the tools and loves doing it” is also a civil servant and able to countersign a passport for any neighbour he’s known long enough. I know that Dave across the road is a chef - it’s possible he actually has his own business.

So… putting out a request on the WhatsApp would be a perfectly legitimate thing to do.

Show quote history

Yep

my neighbours most likely dont know that im self
employed (limited) and that im able to sign their passport. Until they specifically ask that question

minnienono · 08/06/2025 09:41

clergy can dign, know any vicars? Higher education lecturers? Bank clerk? Own a limited company?

liveforsummer · 08/06/2025 10:57

Ifpicklesweretickles · 04/06/2025 18:56

There must be a regular gp in there, at least one. They don't need to know your favourite tv show or what you have for breakfast, they are just verifying your body using your name.

you have your nhs number with them and would have brought your paperwork in the past to register so its as reliable as it gets.
Much better than putting responsibility on a random person or trusting some random to "verify" your identity which is wrong for endless reasons.

The excuse Home Office has isn't what you are saying, they cancelled it to relieve pressure on GPs. Which was a private and chargeable service so this is ridiculous.

And perhaps in your unlikely circumstances where they haven't actually met you and you don't know who they are it wouldn't have been an option for you but it would have been for others

The change was just hypocrisy and lip service. I don't know why you feel the need to plaj devils advocate.

Show quote history

But it needs to be someone who knows you well and personally. I don’t even know who my gp is and have not been to the dr in a number of years. There may be regular gp’s at my practice but I certainly don’t know who they are or vice versa

Grantanow · 08/06/2025 12:51

It can be a problem. I think anyone with a passport or driving licence should be able to countersign as these are secure ID documents. Similarly being on the electoral register.

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