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

OR be a person of good standing in the community. To me that implies not a criminal

I think a bit more than that is required.

Whatifitallgoesright - "This has always irritated me. It just seems elitist. Why is a professional required to vouchsafe for you? Why is someone who works in a shop not valid? What is the point of it?"

There's more to lose for a professional person if they are corroborating false information on the application.

Do you have a regular hairdresser OP?

That's a good suggestion if hairdressing is working from a salon and is Vat registered.

I'm a solicitor. I've signed loads and never been contacted. I've also signed a few firearms licence applications and have been contacted every time.

I have been contacted once. It was a child’s first passport and I think at the time it was standard practice to verify the person counter signing for a first passport.

You don't need it to renew, so it's just for two of your children. Ask at the school/nursery or if they have a health visitor.
Think for my first, I used my headteacher (was 17) and then luckily started a line of work that brought me into contact with a group of people "on the list"

Damn the hairdresser one is good but unfortunately I don’t! Haven’t had my hair done in years and I just normally do it myself. Would have been a good one though.

Are you a single parent, OP? I only ask because maybe your partner/husband can find someone through his work or who knows him.

I’m a lone parent

Are any of your relatives living with a partner, but not married?

The partner would be unrelated to you, but know you

Sibling’s close friend that’s known you for years?

Local primary school (London) just announced that the Headteacher charges £30 for a passport application signature! It is taking a p**, IMO.

Have you lived in t same place for the last two years? The list includes Post Office official so maybe you coussk youl postmaster/mistress?

My friend is a hairdresser and owns her own business she did my passport. Im an OT and did hers.

I signed my neighbour's as he told me repeatedly that as I'd known him 10rs + that was enough, I signed my name and put stay at home mum as my profession.
Passport delivered 2 weeks later.

I am eagerly watching this thread. I have a 13 month old son and am struggling to get his passport. I need it to prove he is a British citizen as I am not one.

I am in the process of leaving an abusive relationship and it will ensure I do not have o rely on my ex- partner's documents to prove my son's status and access to benefits etc.

I feel like I am negotiating with a terrorist as he knows helping me get our son a passport will mean I am free and independent of him.

I have no friends, do not attend church. Every British citizen I know is not on the list of professionals and every professional I know on the list is not a British citizen.

Good luck OP. I know how difficult a position this is to be in. If your children are in school I think that would be your best bet. It seems I will have to wait until my child is also in school.

What about someone with a personal licence? A retired teacher or policeman maybe?
There must be someone you know who can sign - there's quite a long list now, someone that you worried with previously maybe?
It's not elitist, it's just that certain professions require you to agree to strict ethical codes, so they people who sign to authorise your identity put their own professions on the line.

Is there a corner shop you use, the owner would count.

Also, it doesnt have to be someone who has known the dc for the last two years, just two years - so someone from a year ago would work. Have the dc done any after school clubs and the teacher could sign?

It's not signing to say you know the DC if they are under 16- it's to say you know the parent who is making the application for them.

Have you had a job in the last few years - I would get no one would mind you getting back in touch for this? Or someone you knew at school? I'm a nurse and have had people I haven't seen in years ask me to sign for them.

Approaching a teacher at your dc's school is a good idea too.

If none of your neighbours can sign, is there anyone near a relative (maybe a neighbour from when you were young?) who can?

Estate agent or solicitor that you've bought or rented through?
If you live in an apartment block, the managing agent, or is there a management company that some residents are directors of?

Dentist & optician are on the list, don't you know those?

The signatory has to have a UK passport so it isn't just a case of them having standing in the community. One of my dd's teachers agreed, but then baulked when he found out he had put his own passport number on the form.

I would swallow my pride and ask a neighbour if the school refuse to do it for some reason.

A headteacher charging?? I've signed loads (teacher). I'd never charge - ffs it's your civic duty!

In the UK police officers can sign but only if they have actually known you for 2 years, so you can't just turn up at your local public enquiry office and ask someone to sign it.

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

I know that you say you are an introvert OP, but this seems like a good wake up call to make more of an effort to expand your base. It is so helpful if you are take ill suddenly, or need help of some kind, to be on good terms with neighbours and parents of your DC's friends. Just a few polite words each time you see them builds up a relationship.