Countersignatory on passport renewal.

[phoenix1973]

I've posted here as it's busier.

I'm renewing my child's passport (U.K.).

I don't know who to ask to countersign her application.

Doctor and dentist don't have uk passports. So they can't sign. I'm a temp so I don't know anyone who can sign.

Do you have any suggestions on who I can ask?

Neighbours? They don't have to know you well, just to be aware of you.......

Can't imagine a hairdresser counts as a profession...Am pretty shocked that got through unless she is also something else on the list.

Can't imagine a hairdresser counts as a profession

Company directors count.

This is making a lovely companion read to the "posh people" thread

If the hairdresser runs her own business that's fine. Doesn't have to be a professional.

Out of interest, why did it "shock" you that a hairdresser "got through"?

Yes but hairdresser could easily be business owner. It's not limited to professions, can be local government employees, religious leaders, most self-employeed people will count as business owners.

You need to think outside the box. Actually my cleaner would count as she runs her own business.

I can't see this system lasting much longer anyway.

Which will please both egalitarian and snobbish types, by the looks of things.

Can't see reference to a 'business owner' in the list posted above, just references to directors of limited companies. Unless I missed it? (Genuine question).

Not many cleaners or hairdressers are limited companies.

Loads of people are company directors - manager of the hairdresser, local chippy, newsagent.
Local pharmacist, firefighters and police, anyone in the military. I know someone used the local undertaker.

Anyone who could be tracked down, essentially.

But it does take a while - neighbour did ours for my and DP's renewals and 2 dcs first passports, and it was about an hour all together just for his bits (neighbour might be regretting having a long double-barrelled name, being Mr SixSyllable-FiveSyllable...)

A Scout or Guide leader can sign. There are lots of people with standing in the community who aren't necessarily professionals. You've got to just think about who you know who has a reputation they need to uphold.

Out of interest, why did it "shock" you that a hairdresser "got through"?

Wasn't my post but I would agree with this.

The point of it is that countersigning that you have known someone for [X] years is a serious and formal legal matter. There are plenty of professions that have strong ethical codes of conduct that if breached result in disciplinary action - for example, accountants, lawyers, dentists etc. Falsely signing a passport declaration would result in disciplinary action and loss of your job.

It is a secondary check that a professional is professionally "brought up" to honour legal obligations and take them seriously - not just as a culture but because it can have direct professional consequences for them.

People doing other less formal jobs do not have that secondary built in check as a result of their job.

To put it another way, a person who is unemployed or has a more casual/less formal job structure is far more likely to be amenable to falsely signing a declaration or to social pressure ("oh go on! You've known me for a year! Please help me out") than say a lawyer/doctor/accountant.

So yes it surprises me that a hairdresser would do.

I have a neighbour that is a nurse and another that is in the police. Any neighbours or friends in a profession? A small business holder would count as they would be a person of good standing in the community

It's about being in a position of trust really.

The proper guidance gives a list and says your countersignatory must EITHER be on the list OR be in good standing on the community.

The countersignatory should be someone who knows you as a friend, neighbour or colleague - not a relative or in a professional relationship. Doctors are specifically excluded unless they know you as a friend.

So the list isn't the be all and end all of everything. Most people in a job or retired from a vaguely recognizable job would do.

If the hairdresser is self employed or a business owner then again they would be of good standing in the community

Neighbours? They don't have to know you well, just to be aware of you.......

A publican can do it, and many roles in public service. Do you know anyone who works for the council?

Sorry if this is de-railing. My DGD who is 11 needs to renew her passport. Would the photo of her taken five years ago be OK? Obviously she looks older, but so do all kids with expiring five year passports.

No get new photos done

God that was a bit blunt sorry tiggy didnt mean to be

It's about the countersignatory being traceable (company accounts, professional registration, alcohol licence ) and having a lot to lose if they lie (struck of register to practice etc).

tricky cant even get your name right

I'm a nursery manager and I've signed loads for the children in my nursery
op, is your child at nursery?
Or did they go to one?
You could always ask

The whole system is archaic and unnecessary imho.

The government (well, public departments or whatever you'd say) already have so much info onus from birth onward that I find it hard to believe their isn't a more streamlined way to check a person is who they say they are! This system is totally open to fraud anyway....

OP - have you asked in your regular pharmacy if you use one at all? I've seen the Lloyds chemist pharmacist happy to counter sign a form for customer before for no fee.

Every passport application/renewal needs new photos. Also if they are 11 then a photo will need to be countersigned too

I should think most 11 year-olds would be mortified to have a photo of them at 6 on their passport for the next 5 years! Can you imagine them on the Yr9 day trip to France, showing them round on the coach!