PASSPORT COUNTERSIGNING

[theconstantheadache]

Help???

I don't know anybody to countersign my 18MO passport ???

Iv no idea who to ask as every person iv asked hasn't renewed their passport or can't sign as they don't have a profession listed...

Do you not know anyone who runs their own business? Even a small business owner could count.

Or friends of your parents? They can be retired, if that helps.

Solicitors will do it but often charge a fee

My husband often prefers to just pay the charge as he is slightly self conscious of his age and doesn't want to get it signed by a friend or colleague in one of the listed occupations.

@Blackberrybunnet

Could you ask your dentists? or a local minister/priest? I also notice that "licensee of a public house" is an approved profession. If you politely contact them first to ask, and take proof of identity and address ... surely they wouldn't expect payment?

They are supposed to have known you for two years.

It needs to be someone that you've known for two years, so the manager of 7 weeks wouldn't be good enough!

Examples of recognised professions include:
• accountant
• airline pilot
• articled clerk of a limited company
• assurance agent of recognised company
• bank or building society official
• barrister
• chairman or director of a limited company
• chiropodist
• commissioner for oaths
• councillor, for example local or county
• civil servant (permanent)
• dentist
• director, manager or personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
• engineer with professional qualifications
• financial services intermediary, for example a stockbroker or insurance broker
• fire service official
• funeral director
• insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
• journalist
• Justice of the Peace
• legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
• licensee of a public house
• local government officer
• manager or personnel officer of a limited company
• member, associate or fellow of a professional body
• Member of Parliament
• Merchant Navy officer
• minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
• nurse (RGN or RMN)
• officer of the armed services
• optician
• paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
• person with honours, for example an OBE or MBE
• pharmacist
• photographer (professional)
• police officer
• Post Office official
• president or secretary of a recognised organisation
• Salvation Army officer
• social worker
• solicitor
• surveyor
• teacher or lecturer
• trade union officer
• travel agent (qualified)
• valuer or auctioneer (fellow or associate members of the incorporated society)
• Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers

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

Can no longer be a doctor unless they know you personally.

My stepsons girlfriend signed mine
She works at the MOD
The landlord of the pub at the bottom of my garden signed my sons

I would double check the requirements as I think it changed recently and might be easier to find someone now. Then, as others have said, put a message on Facebook.

Isit an online one. I don't mind signing it

You can't just ask on Facebook it's got to be someone that knows you and your baby. Dr's surgeries do it ( for about £10)

Obviously has to be your Dr's surgery who actually knows you

@Leeds2

GPs will often sign them. But you will have to pay.

I just sent in an application this week and it specifically said NOT to ask your GP unless they were a close friend.

@Redwinestillfine

You can't just ask on Facebook it's got to be someone that knows you and your baby. Dr's surgeries do it ( for about £10)

@Redwinestillfine they aren't allowed to do it anymore.

Do you not know any civil servants?

Gp. They do charge

@Christmasfairy2020

Isit an online one. I don't mind signing it

Cristmasfairy2020' unless you personally know the OP for 2 years you are on very dodgy ground

@skinschool

Pretty sure GPs cannot sign them anymore. My midwife agreed to do mine and DD's, but then cancelled at the last minute, when the practice told her she wasn't allowed to.

I went with a teacher, but need to renew DD's and the teacher that did it is no longer there, and the others are refusing.

How old is she?

I think any professional person can do it can't they? My childminder did mine

A neighbour?
A person of good standing in the community can do it e.g. a small business owner, owner of a pub, etc

@Christmasfairy2020 don’t be an eejit. Why do you think there are rules?

Somebody told me anyone with any university degree can countersign. She signed my baby’s one and it got accepted

It's someone that has known you for longer than 2 years, not your child.
Do you have a previous employer who could sign it?

@Christmasfairy2020

Isit an online one. I don't mind signing it

Please don't anyone be desperate enough to consider this.

Giving the most personal information to random strangers isn't the cleverest

It's not just any random off the list of approved professions, they have to actually know you!

NHS staff can do them. I've done loads over the years and never been an issue

@RickiTarr 11 in a month's time, so we have the added issue that she will be changing school.