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Original poster

URGENT - passport renewal?

27 replies

dozydaisy23 · 17/04/2018 17:47

Posting for traffic. About to mail our passport applications and realised that our friend who has countersigned hasn't included their passport number.

Queried this with DH who, as I don't want to drip feed, is a police officer, and he says 'you don't need to have a current passport to countersign and DF (dear friend) hasn't got one so didn't include his passport number.'

This is wrong isn't it? We need to do it all again with someone who has a valid passport countersigning, don't we? SO annoyed!

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 17/04/2018 17:50

I’m pretty sure you need their passport number

dementedpixie · 17/04/2018 17:50

They do need to have a passport to countersign

lubeybooby · 17/04/2018 17:51

yes they do need to have a current passport as far as I know, I remember seeing it on the form I handed to my countersigner however I suppose there is a small chance it could just be 'if they have a passport then put the number here'

is there any indication on the forms whether it is compulsory?

dementedpixie · 17/04/2018 17:52

If you’re applying in the UK

Your countersignatory must:

  • live in the UK
  • have a current British or Irish passport

(Do they definitely need countersigned?)

CluedoAddict · 17/04/2018 17:52

They 100% need a valid passport themselves.

BeyondThePage · 17/04/2018 17:52

You do need a current passport to countersign.

Although, if it is a simple renewal and you can still tell it is you from the old passport photo, you don't need it countersigned at all.

frasier · 17/04/2018 17:52

Is it a first passport or a renewal?

JustDanceAddict · 17/04/2018 17:52

You do need it.

frasier · 17/04/2018 17:54

Assuming you DO need a countersignature...

www.passports-office.co.uk/blog/countersigning_get_it_right/

"The counter signatory must also provide their British or Irish passport number -HMPO may check their identity."

dementedpixie · 17/04/2018 17:54

Do they need countersigned?

You must get your form and one of your 2 photos signed if you’re applying for a:

  • first adult passport
  • first child passport
' replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged passport
  • renewal of a passport for a child aged 11 or under
  • renewal of a passport if your appearance has changed and you can’t be recognised from your existing passport

(I did our last renewals online and you pay online too)

AllMumsyWereTheBorrowedClothes · 17/04/2018 17:57

I've just renewed mine online, and as I was surrendering the old passport I didn't need anything countersigned. It might be worth checking on line at www.gov.uk and click on passports/travel on the right hand side.

EmmaJR1 · 17/04/2018 18:28

Just had this, passport office didn't contact us at all and 3 weeks before our holiday I was in the phone chasing the new passport when they revealed I'd forgotten to put the counter signatories passport number in. Luckily I had it and gave it over the phone but it won't be processed without one...

CraftyGin · 17/04/2018 18:29

You don’t always need a countersignatory.

LovelySouffle · 17/04/2018 18:29

Surely you've phoned your friend to ask them for their passport number, right?

dementedpixie · 17/04/2018 18:32

OP said they don't have a valud passport so they either need a new signatory or they work out if they actually need one at all

WickedLazy · 17/04/2018 18:34

The friend doesn't have a passport, that's the point

Original poster
dozydaisy23 · 17/04/2018 18:39

Definitely need them countersigned: I've got married and changed my name and it's DS's first passport.

I sometimes think my husband has been put on this earth just to piss me off and age me prematurely.

Worst bit is that it was a Police Sargent who signed it and he didn't know either... Hmm

OP posts:
AnnoyedByAlfieBear · 17/04/2018 18:43

Your DS def needs a counter signature but you don't. I just renewed mine with my married name and didn't get mine counter signed as I still look similar enough. It took a week to come back.

Original poster
dozydaisy23 · 17/04/2018 18:46

Ah right: good that I don't need to. Still a pain in the arse that DS's needs to be done again.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 17/04/2018 18:47

Your ds will but you don't. Just need to send your marriage certificate and old passport plus the new photos

dementedpixie · 17/04/2018 18:49

Fill in his form online. You then get a declaration to print for the countersignatory to sign plus you will need one of the photos signed too.

Theimpossiblegirl · 17/04/2018 18:55

It's loads cheaper online too, I'd start again and do them digitally.

dementedpixie · 17/04/2018 18:56

I dont think it is cheaper online

dementedpixie · 17/04/2018 18:57

It didn't used to be but looks like it is now so i take my last comment back

rosamore · 17/04/2018 20:12

Totally wrong!

You absolutely need a passport to countersign and it definitely has to be in date.

Dsis has just started working at our local post office and I spent last week 'revising' with her learning how to do the passport check and sends. The part about the person countersigning needing to have a current passport was in bold.

Passports are also £10 cheaper online btw. £75.50 online £85 on paper.

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