Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not counter sign this passport

141 replies

DirtyDancing · 18/03/2015 22:29

I can counter sign passports.

A lady, call her Jo, at my DH's company has asked me to counter sign her sister's kid's passport.

I've know Jo for years & years. Never met her sister or sister's kid.

I've said no as I've never even met Jo's sister. Everyone saying ABU. just sign it she's clearly Jo's sister & not a terrorist.

AIBU?

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 18/03/2015 22:42

I wouldn't sign it either.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 18/03/2015 22:43

I wouldn't have signed either. I don't like signing for people I don't know well.

Theas18 · 18/03/2015 22:46

You are signing to say you know the applicant ( ie the parent) and have done so for years. If you don't, don't sign it.

Thry can and do verify by phone. You are signing in a professional capacity.

I wouldn't risk it.

Fleecyleesy · 18/03/2015 22:47

I wouldn't sign it. V cheeky to ask.

WD41 · 18/03/2015 22:48

Yanbu.

QueenBean · 18/03/2015 22:51

No, don't sign it

I can sign these and also wouldn't. Very unlikely to be found out but if they did it would jeopardise mine / prob your career

Those saying they would, that's very silly!!

Viviennemary · 18/03/2015 22:57

No. You can't sign a declaration saying you've known somebody for two years when you haven't. Tell them to get lost.

Samcro · 18/03/2015 22:58

yanbu

cariadlet · 18/03/2015 22:59

YANBU

I've countersigned loads of passports. I've done a couple for my neighbour's children, and as I'm a teacher I've done quite a few for parents at school.
But sometimes I've had to say no. It doesn't matter how long you've known the child, but you do need to have known the parent for at least 2 years.
The government guidance says that the counter signatory should know the applicant personally (as a friend, neighbour or colleague) and not just professionally. But I always say on the form that I know the parent in my role as a teacher, and nobody's ever had a problem with the form.

If you haven't met your colleague's sister there is no way that you should countersign. I can't believe that she wouldn't know anybody who could do it. There are loads of jobs considered of "good standing".

almosthuman · 18/03/2015 22:59

YANBU don't sign it.

unlucky83 · 18/03/2015 23:00

They need a current passport too...I had a teacher (friend) lined up to do my DCs but their passport was out of date so they couldn't do it...
I got one of DD's friend's dad (a GP but not our GP) to do them in the end - he does know my DCs... he said they aren't allowed to do them 'at work' because of the time it takes - and it does take some time ...especially if they read through all the info submitted on the application

I think that is why they are discouraging people from using people who don't know them 'personally' - imagine how many you'd have to do if you were a teacher with a class of 30, how many Gp appts.
In theory I can sign passports ...but have only done it once for a friend's DC ...so it just seems mad that they won't even take my word for it for my DCs for a renewal! (And they haven't changed that much really on their latest ones - DD1s first one as a tiny baby I can understand - but as a 7yo to a 12 yo...)

Alanna1 · 18/03/2015 23:00

I would have a close look at the form and talk to her as to what exactly I would sign and whether they knew anyone else. For example I would be willing on what you say to sign that I knew the friend for x years and this is her sister which I believe, and then say if true they know no other professionals etc. But you or they could call the advice line. www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

BackforGood · 18/03/2015 23:00

Of course YANBU.
I certainly wouldn't sign it. You are signing to say you have known them for 2 years or more - you would be lying.

IsItMeOr · 18/03/2015 23:05

YANBU. The list of recognised professions is very long now - do they really not know anybody who is a teacher, nurse, travel agent, works for the council, works for a bank, funeral director, etc, etc, etc?

Nolim · 18/03/2015 23:11

I would have trouble finding someone i know socialy in that list of professions and with a british passport.

unlucky83 · 18/03/2015 23:14

I couldn't see GP on that list - unless it is covered by member,associate or fellow of a professional body...actually I guess it is...

RedSoloCup · 18/03/2015 23:43

Nope, it's fraud.

SIL is a teacher and I was going to get her to c/sign DDs until I read family can't.

They have a different surname etc but it's still fraud so I found someone else no question.

SallyMcgally · 18/03/2015 23:54

YANBU. It's a criminal offence.

dangerrabbit · 19/03/2015 00:00

YANBU

As a PP said, they should get their kids teacher to sign it.

MrsRog23 · 19/03/2015 00:08

YANBU

emotionsecho · 19/03/2015 00:09

No you shouldn't sign it, it is not worth the potential risk to your job. I can't believe some on here are encouraging you to do so and ignoring or not caring about the impact it could have on you professionally.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 19/03/2015 00:18

Yanbu. They do random spot checks and ask you information about and to describe the applicant.

Charlesroi · 19/03/2015 00:30

YANBU - you'd be mad to risk it. A passport is a really important document that gives you access to lots of other things, which is why they can (and do) check. I've signed for people, but only those I know really well.
Don't feel bad about it.

NeedABumChange · 19/03/2015 00:39

YANBU. It's very easy to find someone to sign them. I can't believe anyone doesn't know at least one professional who can do it.

masirah · 19/03/2015 00:48

YANBU

Swipe left for the next trending thread