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 :////

Its discrimination against people who may not know anyone on the list (which is mostly middle class) and also discrimination against factory workers, retail workers etc who are not seen to be trustworthy to countersign.

I would struggle with it and I am in a reasonably professional job and the the passport office do check up on counter signatories.

"Stop making yourself into a victim. If it really is that tough and absolutely haven’t known anyone suitable for two years..."

.... then you would have had exactly the same problem, because they'd require a counter signature for a renewed adult passport (and indeed any/all renewals where your appearance has changed). So all your siblings will have also needed countersignatories from time to time as adults. It's nothing to do with your mother (except perhaps via a long-standing grudge that you never had a foreign holiday when you were younger but siblings did)

I have just renewed my passport and did think, crikey, I hope my photo still resembles me or else I will have to go round with my begging bowl asking folk I barely know to sign the photo and form. Luckily my passport is on it's way to me so all OK

Funnily enough DS is an accountant but he is related so no good for me

Hope you find someone OP

Rose
I don’t get your comment and using my post out of context. It’s unlikely op will live in a bubble or as a hermit for the next 10 years and will Med acquaintances along the way. Eg solicitor for house purchase, dentist etc.

In 2014 I was in a similar situation, I needed a new passport ASAP as I had stupidly already booked a holiday and my passport expired.

My child passport just expired so I was about 7 in that photo, and 17 when applying for my new one. I looked absolutely unrecognisable but I sent the form off without a countersignature as everyone I asked couldn’t sign it and I was in a hurry, and they just sent me a new one as normal

I agree with the others though, there is SOMEONE you could ask. A manager/colleague? Make an appt with your bank/ask a neighbour?

I just googled the list of approved people there’s loads are you sure you don’t know anyone? Even someone you knew from school who wouldn’t mind doing it for you?

My neighbour signs ours. She doesn't work but volunteers as a trustee of a charity.

Has it changed? I got one years ago and got a retail manager to sign it.

Picking some easy ones off the list. These people can be found in pretty every town:

bank/building society official
Pharmacist
Dentist
Optician
Post Office official

its nothing at all to do with professionals being more trustworthy than a factory worker. its to do with easily checkable information. all of the profemssions have easily checkable membership lists, likewise civil servants etc.
gps can sign but only if they personall know you.

Why not a postman or a factory worker, are they not considered trustworthy.

It’s not about being more trustworthy. It’s about professionals losing their career if they lie. You can’t necessarily say the same for a non-professional.

Surely it's about the person knowing you though? You can't just rock up to any person of standing and say "Oi, [pharmacist]! Sign this."

mummyoflittledragon

I'm agreeing with you, and expanding on the point to show that all her siblings would also have needed countersignatories as adults. What happened icw passports when they were DC isn't relevant in terms of adult applications. Though it wouid be relevant if she was wanting to make a point about family dynamics and favouritism

Did you call the passport office as it suggests?

DF wanted a passport and asked at the bank, PO etc, they all said no, he is a regular customer of these places.

He never did get a passport.

I think you can pay for someone to do it at a post office - I'm sure that's what one of my friends did....

You can't be long out of education. Can you ask a former teacher?

Most of the professions have ID checks and character references as part of the qualification process, which is why I assume they are on the list.

Just get someone who has known you for two years (as I think the criteria say) who has any kind of an employed role to sign. If it isn't right they'll send it back.

I'm a company director of 2 small businesses, I'll sign it for you!

In days gone by you could pay your GP to do it, but nowadays you are lucky to see the same one twice, I guess that is why it was stopped. Some teachers won't sign because it can be very time consuming if half the class asks and also time taken having to reply to Passport office follow ups.

They have to know the person. I (professional) have refused for people I know who want me to certify their spouse I've never met or their child is someone I know. I won't li as I am not going to lose a career I have spent years working towards over this kind of thing.

Company directors can also be checked on the companies house register (if they are allowed). They do check qith the people who sign by the way fairly regularly. I tend to refuse as I am just so b usy with working full time and family and why take on a massive risk of career loss.

“It’s not about being more trustworthy. It’s about professionals losing their career if they lie. You can’t necessarily say the same for a non-professional.“

^This. It is not discriminatory at all just common sense

It is an outdated system and you should be able to go to any solicitor with your ID and get some kind of certification like you can with other things.

DH is a Scientist but cannot sign, obviously his career is not important or professional enough.