passport hell

[tattyrose567]

Really really desperate and fusturated I have wanted to get a passport for so long my mum did every single other sibliing but mine grrrr and now i really need one but have literally no one to counter sign!! the doctors no longer do it and I've literally exhausted every option what can I do ?? Guessing I will just never ever be able to get one feel like I'm being denied something and will never be able to go abroad I'm 23 with a nearly 2 year old :////

My goodness there is a lot of rubbish on here. Some of the PP need to just read the passport office guidance.
EU passport holders can’t countersign applications in the UK - it is just British & Irish passport holders that can be countersignatories.
GP’s can countersign but only if they know the applicant personally.
Councillors can’t sign unless they know you personally - you can’t just rock up and ask them to sign if you’ve never met them before.

OP - I agree with the posters who’ve said ‘who do you know?’ and start from there - make a list of everyone you know (& have known for at least 2 years). Was there anyone you were at school with (or have a parent who’d know you from then) who might now run their own business, be a manager, be a trade union official, be a guide leader?

A ‘person of good standing in their community’ is a pretty big catch-all category so there might be some occupation or voluntary work that you’ve not even considered yet.

A business person can sign. Think of all the corner shop owners, hairdressers, beauticians, couriers etc as long as they are VAT registered they can sign

OP would it be worthwhile asking SS if there are any SWs etc still working there that knew you when they were involved? One of the responsibilities of SS is to assist yps they are involved with to get passports. Some folk get nervous every about signing when all they are certifying is that the photograph is a photo of the person named in the application. Have you rented the same place for 2 years? If so does the agent, Housing Association officer etc know you? Do you know you at the bank or PO where you go to get your benefit?
Why does the GP refuse? Write a letter asking why that they will need to reply to.
Good luck

There aren't many corner shops any more, lol.

There are loads round here, I guess it depends on where you live.

3 cornershops in my town & 2 of them are grim. People use Lidl like the corner shop instead. The town centre is 1/3 empty units, too.

Nearest Lidl 10 mile from here, Tesco 18 miles. Corner shops much closer.

Point I was making was people who own their own business I know loads just thinking OP maybe knows one.

Username that's a check and send service, not countersigning

Post office officials can countersign IF they know the person personally and have for 2 YEARS. They COULD NOT then also perform the check and send service for that form. You can see why that would appear to be dodgy right????

I was wondering about landlord/housing benefit officer.

My first passport as an adult was signed by my friend's dad, who happened to be a High Court judge. It's all gone a bit downhill since then though.

My nurse friend did my last one, but a neighbour with his own plumbing business did the one before. There are loads of people at work who can do them, people with accountancy, HR, social work and housing qualifications.

I used to be a local government officer, I must have signed hundreds over the years.

Probation officer? Not suggesting you’ve had one, but you may know one socially.

< wins prize for most creative piece of straw-clutching ever >

Post office officials can countersign IF they know the person personally and have for 2 YEARS. They COULD NOT then also perform the check and send service for that form. You can see why that would appear to be dodgy right????

But why would it be dodgy? The check and send service is for the applicant's benefit to check that the form has been filled in correctly, the photograph complies with the stringent requirements (no smile, no hair in eyes etc.), and all the correct documents are there. I don't see anything compromising in signing to say you've known someone for 2 years and they are who they say they are, and then checking to see their application form is in order. I'm not saying you're not right, but don't see the logic at all.