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

[Cybercubed]

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.

Garbage because mine did mine and I was only a patient, he didn't know me other than that.

You're lucky they did that then as they aren't supposed to. It was a waste of the GPs time.

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

• *be able to identify you, for example they’re a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)

I wonder what the difference is between being a colleague and eg having a professional relationship with a client? Why do they think someone who eg pays you to do a job every so often doesn't know who you are? For example I write articles for a magazine every month - I have met my "employer" in person but we don't see each other very often. But he knows how I am and has known me about 5 years. We're not colleagues in the same office though.

Anyway this is all a lot easier now as you can go to the post office to do it. You can also get them to certify documents too. It has to be a post office that offers those services though.

It's actually quite an issue, the signee has to have known the applicant for at least 2 years.
I knew a solicitor who was struck off and imprisoned because they countersigned for a person that they had met on a number of social occasions over a 2 year period, but didn't actually know them well, so when the applicant turned out to be lying about who he was, the solicitor was held responsible.
That's why lots of people who you might know professionally don't want to sign unless they know personally and can vouch that you are who you say you are.