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Original poster

PASSPORT COUNTERSIGNING

170 replies

theconstantheadache · 14/06/2021 19:50

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...

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 15/06/2021 10:18

and in a classist 'well, if you don't have friends like these, can we trust you're a person' sort of way.

I totally agree. It is based more on where people sit in the social hierarchy than establishing that they are who they claim to be.

Nodancingshoes · 15/06/2021 10:24

Sorry, I havnt read the whole thread but i asked a friend who was an 'engineer with professional qualifications'. Otherwise I know a nurse who could have done it. Does your lo go to nursery? I've signed one as a nursery manager before. Just an idea

pointythings · 15/06/2021 10:43

The UK system is mad and archaic. I'm Dutch, and to get my DDs their Dutch passports at the Embassy I did need to bring a lot of ID stuff: birth certs, marriage certificate, permission from my husband, much of it needing an apostille - but I didn't need some random publican to prove who my kids were!

If you're Dutch living in the Netherlands it's even easier and again, you don't need someone to vouch for you. This is a bit of law that really needs changing to be relevant to the age we are now living in.

VeganCheesePlease · 15/06/2021 10:52

Try your local MP. That's what we did for DH's. I think i used my GP (they charged £5 or something but it was a long time ago) and my local bank manager.

echt · 15/06/2021 11:00

@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...

There you go:

www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

SoupDragon · 15/06/2021 11:02

If you're Dutch living in the Netherlands it's even easier and again, you don't need someone to vouch for you. This is a bit of law that really needs changing to be relevant to the age we are now living in.

In the U.K. you don't need anyone to countersign for a renewal if you are still recognisable from your previous passport.

SoupDragon · 15/06/2021 11:04

The last time I had to get any countersigned, my friend who is a cub leader did it. As others have said, the list is a guide it doesn't have to be someone on the list.

Blackhawkdown2020 · 15/06/2021 11:06

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

NanaNorasNaughtyKnickers · 15/06/2021 11:08

The system is very class-based and a bit unfair. I'm working-class, I've had problems before. I don't have friends who are doctors, civil servants, teachers etc.

JustLyra · 15/06/2021 11:08

Who signed yours? As they as they need to sign to say they know you, not the child.

christdoinghisunspecifiedhobby · 15/06/2021 11:18

Director of a ltd co might open it up for you, that could be anyone from a builder to someone who's a director of the residents management company of the apartment block they live in or the owner of your hairdressing salon. A member of a professional body could be a fitness instructor (CIMSPA). I'd ask on your facebook timeline, I bet there's someone who you know but might not have thought of.

The list for Irish passport signatories is a lot more limited. I can countersign a UK passport but not an Irish one.

dementedpixie · 15/06/2021 11:19

@Blackhawkdown2020

Take whatever identity documents and recent proof of address you have to your local police station and they should sign it for you.
They shouldn't do it if they haven't known you for 2 years. They have to give their own passport details on the application so I very much doubt they would sign it to say they know you.
Souther · 15/06/2021 11:20

@Leeds2

GPs will often sign them. But you will have to pay.
GP's dont sign unless they know you personally.

It specifically excludes doctors unless they know you personally.

Lockdownbear · 15/06/2021 11:28

@NanaNorasNaughtyKnickers

The system is very class-based and a bit unfair. I'm working-class, I've had problems before. I don't have friends who are doctors, civil servants, teachers etc.
What would you suggest changing it to?

Depending on where you work, the company boss, HR normally hold professional registration, surveyors are another one to try.

Remember people only need their first passport signed, and kids passports.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 15/06/2021 12:37

A lot of the advice given on this thread is out of date. You need someone who knows you PERSONALLY and is willing to give their passport and (I think) NI numbers.

You can't take it to the police station, your GP shouldn't sign it unless they are a friend of yours, a notary shouldn't sign it unless they have known you personally for 2 years, and many professions (including teachers) have been in instructed not to sign for clients and service users.

The list of people who can sign has been expanded, but you basically need a friend/colleague/neighbour who will sign for you. Which is fine unless you are unemployed, your friends are either unemployed (or employed in "unsuitable" jobs), or you don't have friends etc.

I would suggest changing it to biometrics, which genuinely confirm your identity.

Lockdownbear · 15/06/2021 13:22

And where will they get the biometric info in the first place?

Just because you are born in the UK doesn't entitle you to a UK passport and likewise some people born outside the UK may be entitled to a passport.

mustlovegin · 15/06/2021 14:43

Remember people only need their first passport signed

Last time I checked, I think if you lose it or it gets stolen, you need to go through the countersigning process again

mustlovegin · 15/06/2021 14:45

And where will they get the biometric info in the first place

You would get your biometrics the first time (when it makes sense to require countersignatories) but after that, it shouldn't be required.

olidora63 · 15/06/2021 14:49

I have countersigned lots of passports for friends. Am a registered nurse.

SoupDragon · 15/06/2021 14:53

@mustlovegin

And where will they get the biometric info in the first place

You would get your biometrics the first time (when it makes sense to require countersignatories) but after that, it shouldn't be required.

That's pretty much how it works now though. You don't need a countersignature each time.
mustlovegin · 15/06/2021 14:55

You don't need a countersignature each time

You do if you lose it or it gets damaged or stolen (which could happen very easily TBH)

mustlovegin · 15/06/2021 14:56

It's a waste of everyone's time, especially as they already have the biometrics on file

mustlovegin · 15/06/2021 14:57

And even if you are no longer recognisable from your previous photo, your iris scan and fingerprint shouldn't change as you age I believe

LakieLady · 15/06/2021 15:03

It's a ludicrous rule imo.

Last time I renewed mine, the landlady of my local did it. A few weeks later, I signed hers (I was a local government officer at the time).

This gets harder as you get older. Most of my friends are now retired, so don't have any profession.

Lockdownbear · 15/06/2021 15:07

@mustlovegin

You don't need a countersignature each time

You do if you lose it or it gets damaged or stolen (which could happen very easily TBH)

I couldn't argue but they have your previous photo on file. I wonder if they are double checking that you aren't trying to get a passport fraudulently using someone else's details.

So the counter signature is a secondary check?.

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