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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

passport hell

262 replies

tattyrose567 · 04/11/2017 00:13

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 :////

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 04/11/2017 09:42

Ask your local shopkeeper

As long as they've known you for 2 years, they can do it.

The woman who owns my local off licence signed mine.

gallicgirl · 04/11/2017 09:42

I think one thing this thread does throw up, is maybe there needs to be a way to countersign without making your personal details known to the person making an application.

Don't you have to have an interview now for first passports?

diddl · 04/11/2017 09:42

I hope that you get sorted out Op.

It is a daft system, I agree.

Isn't driving licence now with a pic?

So how do you prove that that is you?

"You just provide your old passport, "-what about when you want your first passport?

FittonTower · 04/11/2017 09:44

Do you have a support worker of any kind? Do you regularly attend any meetings/support groups or play groups with your baby? Have you been involved with home start?
I work for a charity that supports victims of trafficking and violence, many of the women we work with do not know anyone as they are moved to us from the area they were exploited in and need to be anonymous to keep them safe. As charity workers we can do it, or the trustees can. Also many of our volunteers are "persons of good standing" so they can do it.
Sorry about this thread, this sort of stuff isn't easy for everyone

Cactusjelly00 · 04/11/2017 09:45

I knew literally nobody that could sign mine from that list.
I'm not kidding either - i can't believe the level of shock about that! Grin
That said, I did manage to find someone to sign by ringing and asking and I was told a kitchen manager was fine.
Can you ring them again?
Write a list of the occupations you do know people from (that are likely to sign for you) and ask them if they're appropriate? The online list is not exhaustive but ringing and asking "can I get a passport with no counter signature?" Is very different to asking "I don't know anyone on the list of approved occupations, are mechanics/shop assistants/kitchen managers/cleaners ok?".

AreThereAnyUsersnamesLeft · 04/11/2017 09:47

I am struggling with DS's passport - I can't even get any of DS's teachers to do it - (I tried the school office but they said to ask teachers individually). A lot of us just get on with our lives without running in to accountants, lawyers etc. I am lucky enough see the doctor so rarely that they wouldn't know who I am either. His dentist isn't british... Other than trying his primary school to see if any of his old teachers still work there and would be willing to sign, I too am running out of ideas..

Etymology23 · 04/11/2017 09:48

Lots of people don't know loads of people traditionally classed professionals but lots of those who don't still know their local pub landlord or someone who is a manager at a local shop or in a supermarket or is a warehouse manager or have a neighbour who is a plumber who owns their own business, or have a hairdresser who owns their own business or go to a playgroup where one of the volunteers would be a person of good standing in the local community, or go to a children's centre or a community group. Lorry drivers sometimes also own their own business, especially if they own their own cab. Or you might have a neighbour who is a retired nurse (or publican, or business owner like a plumber, or manager at a VAT registered business).

Things like the above are suggestions that are away from the standard ones you might initially think of.

dementedpixie · 04/11/2017 09:51

For the person sorting out a child passport, the person is signing to say they know the parent for 2 years, not the child so don't need to limit the search to people who know the child

WorraLiberty · 04/11/2017 09:53

Yep, dementedpixie is right. I've just applied for my DS's passport and the person who counter signed it, just had to know me for 2 years.

Original poster
tattyrose567 · 04/11/2017 09:55

I don't go to the hairdressers I wish I did sometimes haha but being a single mum I don't have the time and any spare money goes to my daughter luckily my hair is long and curly so doesn't need cutting or dying . Believe it or not I don't go to the dentist either .I'm not trying to be obstructive I will continue my search and am pro active but I can't force anyone to sign I've even offered to pay people £100+ I know there is not much more i can personally do .

OP posts:
daisypond · 04/11/2017 09:55

The countersignatory also needs to have their own current passport. I don't have a passport myself so I couldn't sign for anyone, even though my job is on the list.

WorraLiberty · 04/11/2017 10:00

Have you not known a shopkeeper for 2 years OP?

drspouse · 04/11/2017 10:02

So what about
Childminder or manager at the nursery
Pub landlord
Regular postie
Corner shop owner
Friend that works as nurse/childminder/has a small business

AreThereAnyUsersnamesLeft · 04/11/2017 10:03

Oh my days demented pixie - I hadn't noticed that - thank you. though in that case, I could take a picture of any random kid into work and get the form signed - ? ? Mind you the more I read on this thread, the more I realise you, you could create an identify and get a passport to match if you put enough effort into it - if you can use people like pub landlords to sign the form- they don't need any access to any paperwork in their dealings with you

WeAreEternal · 04/11/2017 10:03

I imagine if you posted on a local Facebook page (one of the stuff for sale in XXX type pages)
offering to pay £50 to someone for a counter sign you would have it done by the weekend.

I’ve seen posts like this before and it always works.
Just remember to check their credentials.

BuggerOffAndGoodDayToYou · 04/11/2017 10:03

The head at my school will countersign passports but we do charge £20 for school funds.

In about 95% of cases we will then receive a grainy black and white copy of the photo (no name) and the head is asked to identify the oerson in the photo and answer questions about the original application. Counter signatories also have to give their own passport number and address - although our head gives the school address.

Natsku · 04/11/2017 10:07

Sounds very stressful OP, I hope you manage to find someone to countersign. I think the UK passport system is so stupid with this whole countersignatory thing, that's why I don't bother with a UK passport any more. In Finland all I have to do is fill out an online application and then go to my local police station so they can check I am who I say I am (and I think sometimes you don't even need to go to the police station if its a renewal so they already have your fingerprints and your old one is still in date)

Engorged · 04/11/2017 10:08

What reason did your hv and gp give op? Usually with the latter it's just wanting payment but I see you're prepared to pay.

What about any of your dds friends parents?

Original poster
tattyrose567 · 04/11/2017 10:09

Worra we live in a big city type of place not really the type of place you get to know shopkeepers , massive shopping center hundreds of different staff ect ect

OP posts:
Engorged · 04/11/2017 10:09

Thing is if no one with sign for your passport then they shouldn't for your dd either, so even if your mum had got you one you would still be stuck.

Blondephantom · 04/11/2017 10:09

One of the rules is that it must be someone who knows you personally as a friend, neighbour or colleague not just in a professional capacity. If you are sure that none of your friends or neighbours can sign then would it be worth finding someone who could sign in a couple of years? While it doesn’t help now at least you would know the end to this is coming. Playgroups like PPs have suggested or volunteering somewhere. Would you qualify for help with childcare and gaining a qualification at your local college? Particularly if the course was one where you learn a job role so have colleagues as you go along? Like childcare or hairdressing.

Or as PPs have said someone who knew you when you were younger. Did any of your old neighbours work own their own business or work in one of those professions?

AnneElliott · 04/11/2017 10:11

You must know a civil servant op - there are millions of usGrin

I sign loads each year for friends.

Frazzled2207 · 04/11/2017 10:12

Does your daughter go to nursery? The owner/manager could probably do it. If she doesn’t then find a cheap playgroup (the type where mums sit around and drink tea) -you’ll find someone there and if it is church related the vicar might do it

Quartz2208 · 04/11/2017 10:12

what jobs do your friends do - the list on the passport office is examples neither or the ones I used for mine are there

daisypond · 04/11/2017 10:14

I don't know anyone who works for the civil service, so there's no "you must know a civil servant" about it!