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Original poster

Can't find a countersignature for a lost British passport - What to do?

79 replies

Cybercubed · 10/09/2022 18:21

Hi all,

I have booked a fast track appointment for a lost passport next Saturday. I am able to gather all documents, complete the paper application, paid the £147 fee, the problem is that I don't have anyone I know who can countersign my passport.

I rang the passport advice line and she told me to look a list of professions which are suitable, but I've already seen it and told her I still don't know anyone. I asked my factory manager, he refused saying I hadn't known him for 2 years (which is true). I'm not close to any of my neighbours and feel uncomfortable cold approaching them.

The advice line told me to present this information at the appointment, but she didn't sound sure herself what would be the outcome, since the £147 is not refundable. I think I can sign a declaration saying I don't know anyone, but that the application would take longer. Is this true? I just hope my £147 hasn't gone to waste.

OP posts:
FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 10/09/2022 19:23

I signed the other day for the mum of a kid at school, we only know each other to say hello and have a bit of banal playground chat but I've seen her most days for the last 4 yrs so met the criteria and was happy to do it. Just ask someone, even if you don't know them well I'm sure most people wouldn't begrudge taking 5 minutes to fill out a form and sign a photo. Only thing is you'll need to given them notice as they need to put their passport number on the form and are unlikely to know that off the top of their head.

SausagePourHomme · 10/09/2022 19:24

someone who went to school with you?

sueelleker · 10/09/2022 19:25

Are you on any regular medicines? A pharmacist is a good person to ask.

Macaroni46 · 10/09/2022 19:28

I think you need to overcome your reluctance to ask people like the co-op manager or dentist so you can get it countersigned. I really don't understand what's stopping you? There's no way they're going to issue you a replacement passport without a counter signature. Think about it - it just sounds too dodgy!

Original poster
Cybercubed · 10/09/2022 19:31

@Tairbear
I'm off 2 weeks between 28th November-11th December. I'm told it takes up to 10 weeks potentially for a regular application, so in case of any delays I didn't want to chance it, as I can't book flights without my passport number.

OP posts:
Minimochi · 10/09/2022 19:33

Tairbear · 10/09/2022 19:14

You have paid £147 to fast tracked a passport, for a holiday in December?

To be fair, DH applied for his replacement in April and we still don't have it. He urgently needs to fly to Prague in three weeks. We already had to cancel our holiday in the summer.
There's no option to do fast track for us because we are abroad. We might be able to get another emergency passport, which is what we did when he lost his passport in April. I'm just not sure you can apply for one while the proper one is still being processed.

TroysMammy · 10/09/2022 19:33

Do you know anyone who is a volunteer with Scouts or Girl Guiding?

Jaaxe · 10/09/2022 19:33

I agree just because you don’t know the people that well just ask them. Ex employees, ex school friends are other good options, any you see regularly out and about? Also your neighbours, is there one you take their post in a lot for and speak to now and again who’ve you’ve been neighbours with a while….you could ask them what their job is, hopefully it’s on the list x

OneTC · 10/09/2022 19:37

BigChesterDraws · 10/09/2022 18:48

Why not use one of your other passports for this upcoming trip? According to your previous thread you have two other citizenships. As a fellow multi-citizenship person (I have three), that’s what I would do.

Then get the UK passport renewed when you’re not under time pressure to find someone who fits the bill.

Can you come back to the UK on a foreign passport no bother?

I can't enter Oz on my British one

QuebecBagnet · 10/09/2022 19:43

Ask your co-op manager. I get asked all the time, by people I don’t know that well. It’s no big deal, takes a few minutes, I’m always happy to help people as long as I do know them.

JubileeTissues · 10/09/2022 19:43

Just ask the neighbour. If my neighbour knocked on my door and explained their predicament I'd help them out!

HeddaGarbled · 10/09/2022 19:46

Be brave, OP, and go and knock on some neighbours’ doors. The worst that can happen is that they’ll say no. Then you say “OK, sorry to disturb you” and go on to the next one. In 30 minutes’ time this will be done and dusted.

Blueblell · 10/09/2022 19:50

I believe you can do a self declaration. I got a fast track for my kids for a last minute holiday. My usual go to person was on holiday so I didn’t get them countersigned. They had dramatically changed and the lady at the counter said well you might be lucky when I send this upstairs. Thankfully I was lucky and received the passports a few days later.

yours has expired although you don’t have the old one - I would go to the appointment and do a self declaration.

dementedpixie · 10/09/2022 20:20

@Blueblell if your kids are age 12+ then you don't necessarily need a countersignature if the passport staff can recognise the child from the old and new picture.

SpaceshiptoMars · 10/09/2022 20:24

The dentist has to be a really good bet. A quick look in your mouth, and even if they don't remember your face, they know it's you! And you're paying them to do it!

Looneytune253 · 10/09/2022 20:31

dementedpixie · 10/09/2022 20:20

@Blueblell if your kids are age 12+ then you don't necessarily need a countersignature if the passport staff can recognise the child from the old and new picture.

Our child is 12 and they haven't asked us automatically but their appearance is very very different. Do you know what the procedure might be? They really don't look like their 6 year old self.

nomoreflyingfucks · 10/09/2022 20:32

Do you have any family friends who knows you and can sign? A friend of your parent or guardian? A godparent or friend of a sibling?

NotSoLittle · 10/09/2022 20:32

Haven't read the full thread so don't know if any one has said, but a solicitor will do this for about £10. (Just had one done recently and they asked for a donation in their charity box - the receptionist had already told me they usually look for about £10.) Ring up your nearest solicitor, tell them what you want and ask how much. They normally do it between clients.

dementedpixie · 10/09/2022 20:34

Looneytune253 · 10/09/2022 20:31

Our child is 12 and they haven't asked us automatically but their appearance is very very different. Do you know what the procedure might be? They really don't look like their 6 year old self.

Show quote history

If they decide you need a countersignature they will ask you for details of someone who can do it for you. If it's online they will likely ask for an email address

inappropriateraspberry · 10/09/2022 20:40

Our neighbour signed ours. He's retired but used to work for a bank. It really doesn't have to be that full on. Do you have any children? Could any of their parents sign it, or a teacher from their school?

Original poster
Cybercubed · 10/09/2022 20:44

I think will ask my store manager, he attended my fathers funeral back in 2016 but I've barely spoke to him since but every time I've been in there he's been nice to me saying hello and whatnot, hows my mum etc. My work manager said, so he could as well, but I've "known" him for longer than 2 years unlike my manager.

OP posts:
LoveHamble · 10/09/2022 20:45

NotSoLittle · 10/09/2022 20:32

Haven't read the full thread so don't know if any one has said, but a solicitor will do this for about £10. (Just had one done recently and they asked for a donation in their charity box - the receptionist had already told me they usually look for about £10.) Ring up your nearest solicitor, tell them what you want and ask how much. They normally do it between clients.

A solicitor cannot sign a declaration they have known someone for 2 years if it isn't true ffs.

Original poster
Cybercubed · 10/09/2022 20:50

NotSoLittle · 10/09/2022 20:32

Haven't read the full thread so don't know if any one has said, but a solicitor will do this for about £10. (Just had one done recently and they asked for a donation in their charity box - the receptionist had already told me they usually look for about £10.) Ring up your nearest solicitor, tell them what you want and ask how much. They normally do it between clients.

I saw our family solicitors with a sign on his window saying they would sign passports for a £10 fee, he dealt with my fathers probate (since he left no will and we paid him to help sort it out for us) when he died, although he primarily dealt with my mum and not me, so probably doesn't recognise me, but maybe its worth a chance?

OP posts:
MugginsOverEre · 10/09/2022 20:56

Do you know anyone with an alcohol license? My MIL's friends who know DH and I owned a pub. We never considered these people because we wouldn't call them friends but by all the requirements, they fit the bill.

LaurelGrove · 10/09/2022 20:58

OneTC, Australia won't let you in on a British passport if you're also Australian. Canada has similar rules. No issues entering the UK as a British citizen with a foreign passport though. Three times now I've just shown them my Canadian one and my expired British passport and been waved through at Heathrow.