To not have anyone to sign passport?

[PumpkinP]

I am having trouble with thinking who can sign for me and my children’s passports. I am an introvert and have no friends, family limited, but obviously can’t sign, not friends with the neighbours. What can I do? I’m not working atm either so no manager etc

TBH I'm quite shy and introvert but chat to people quite a lot, I'd just frogarm someone in that situation. The removal guy would do, he's moved me twice so has known me longer than 2 years!

How long have you lived in your current house? Even if you believe the neighbours don't like you, they only need to know your name to confirm it's you if you have a professional or tradesman on the street who can sign. They might prefer online with email address and name only, you just give them both parents names, address, child DOB and place of birth and they get an email to confirm it about 2 days after you send in the form.

(Submit the online form I mean).

Oh no really?! I’m having a feeling my children’s school will say no. They can be difficult at times.

Perfect excuse not to ask them OP, a UK holiday it is then'

Honestly you've pushed away every suggestion and still why don't you get the previous person to witness them?

I’m still going to ask the school. I can only try. I was just surprised pps school refused. I didn’t say I wouldn’t ask.

A couple of years ago the rules changed so most professionals can't sign for those they know in professional capacity, but only for those they know personally. This definitely applies to all healthcare professionals (can't sign for patients). It doesn't apply to lawyers but not sure about teachers.

I think the list of people who can sign is so outdated!! As if a person with a degree or a professional position is more trustworthy than someone who works in Tesco! It's bollocks!
I struggled last year when I had to get one for dd, I knew the people with the right jobs but they're related all other people I know didn't have the right jobs I remember saying at the time "God I must improve the quality of my social circle!"
In the end I used my sister's bf because he's an engineer but I said thank God you're not married yet or that would be you scuppered too!
Also stop judging pumpkin we're not all social butterflies. It annoys me on here where someone asks a question and before you know it their whole life choices are getting pulled apart!

My manager at work signed mine. If you have ever worked or work now just get a manager to sign it. My partner was a manager at a supermarket a while ago and signed loads.

Headteacher
Priest
Teacher
Dentist?
Doctor
Local MP?
Trying to think of as many possibilities for you

Also stop judging pumpkin we're not all social butterflies. It annoys me on here where someone asks a question and before you know it their whole life choices are getting pulled apart!

Thank you, some of these comments have really upset me tbh. When people post on here saying they have no friends I’ve never witnessed any rude or judgemental comments, yet I’ve had loads! Even people judging me as a parent because of it. People really don’t know anything about other people’s lives and why they end up in the situation they are in. And some of these comments have been completely unnecessary.

The thing is OP, you have two choices: you can ask around until you find someone who can do it, or you can accept that your dc won't get passports and therefore can't go on holiday. Personally, I'd recommend the former. It's a pain but sometimes you do just have to grit your teeth and do things, especially when it comes to your children.

FWIW the majority of people, particularly school gate mums, would have thought I was a SAHM and therefore not eligible, and not asked me. But I am actually a company director and can do it, and I would (and have) if asked. So maybe spread your net a bit wider and just ask people, even if they seem unlikely.

I would definitely try school first. My son's TA was happy to do his. As PPs have suggested, if your dc do any activities, the coaches/adults in charge may be able to help.

But "if you don't ask, you've already got a no". It's always worth asking.

Ah, I see you're intending to ask at school, great. Terrible cross post!

YANBU to have a problem with this. If you have the "wrong" social circles you could easily struggle to know anyone on the approved list.

In the end the SENCO at school did it. No fuss, but took her a while to get it done!

Maybe she had, you know, actual WORK to be getting on with?!

Our HT refuses to sign passports and tells parents that we as teachers won’t be doing them either. They were taking up loads of our time and it was part of a move to support our work life balance which was in a state and causing people to leave the profession. This was one simple thing on the list that the head chose to do.

If GPs can refuse to do them or decide to charge, then it’s fine for schools to do this, too. I’d do it for a fee.

I will happily sign for friends though.

Also, remember who signed it! I got called to the passport office for an interview for my first adult passport and I was really struggling to remember who was my countersignatory. (I knew several people who worked in a particular office and couldn't remember which of them it had been.)

Doctor

Doctors are specifically excluded unless the doctor happens to be a friend and has known the applicant for 2 years.

Professions that are not accepted

Your countersignatory cannot

work for HM Passport Office
be a doctor, unless they state that they know you well (for example they’re a good friend) and that they recognise you easily from your photo

Jomarchsburntskirt

@lastqueenofscotlandPolice are not supposed to sign passports

Police officer is specifically listed as being acceptable.

www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications/accepted-occupations-for-countersignatories

Anyone that is with a regulatory body, like a chartered accountant can do it.

I imagine this is going to become a problem for a lot more people if the law requiring photo ID to be able to vote goes ahead. It is going to significantly disadvantage people in some parts of society.
I hope you find someone OP. Do you have a corner shop that you go in regularly - maybe the owner would do it?

I imagine this is going to become a problem for a lot more people if the law requiring photo ID to be able to vote goes ahead

do you need a driving licence to be countersigned in the same way? My son didn't need to when he applied for this provisional, but he has a passport.

What about the ID card in NI that they already have to have to vote? How do people get that?

OP if your two eldest children have disabilities do they receive regular medical attention/therapies? If so, one of those therapists may be able to help if the school refuses.

renewal of a passport for a child aged 11 or under

^It says it needs a counter signature for this? Unless I’m reAding it wrong. So all kids passports will need signing.

My 2 children have autism both only see people through the school.

Have any of the professionals involved with your dc known you/them for 2+ years?

We had exactly the same problem. They make it ridiculously hard.

If you don't have any friends, colleagues or even acquaintances who would fit into that long list of jobs, then you have a problem. Get out there and do something! Make some friends!