ID check for passport - why is this so difficult?

[raindayrain]

Has anyone ever been asked to do an identity check for a passport application? Is it a really complex/difficult thing?

I am a relatively quiet/introverted person and my job requires me to move working locations very frequently, and so it’s been impossible to establish any lasting relationships with colleagues. Since having a baby, I’ve felt socially isolated and I know I need to get out more and make friends, but it’s just been difficult not really connecting with anyone in my area. I only have a few close friends from university I’d chat to probably once a week. My extended family all live far away.

So now comes a time when I need to sort out my passport application - you need an identity referee who’s known you for 2 years as a friend/neighbour/colleague (not just professionally). I’ve texted my neighbour of many many years to see if they’d be happy to confirm my identity - they didn’t reply and when I politely asked again, they were really short and while they did agree, it gave really reluctant vibes (the kind where you know you shouldn’t ask again). They are neighbours I thought we had a good relationship with: we collect posts/bins when away/send holiday cards/always have a really nice chat when we see each other. I’ve asked a friend too who said they would, but they haven’t and just keep delaying things. It just really breaks my heart that I haven’t ?integrated into society? It feels like something is really wrong with me that I can’t even apply for a new passport.

It’s now super awkward going in and out of the house bumping into our neighbours. I really regret asking them in the first place and feel like I really don’t want to have to see them again.

AIBU? Anyone who’s done it for other people care to say what the process actually involves? If it takes ages and is overly complicated then I guess I’d understand.

Your neighbour said "yes"

Remember always that your conclusion that they were giving reluctant vibes is your view, and there are 101 reasons why they might have been a bit off with you that day.

And even if they are a bit off about it (because you have to put your full identifying info on the form) they like you enough to do it anyhow.

There's no reason to expect that the rest of the amicable neighbourly relationship with them will change.

(I'm not sure, despite thread title, that this is at heart really about passport application requirements).

big thanks to the neighbour is in order.

box of chocolates or something else.

and as pp say, you see a snapshot of the other person at one time. it doesn't mean they don't like you.

get out there, meet up with other parents. join a club/book club/neighbourhood association...

all the best

I hope you got your neighbour to do it? They said yes!

how annoying if you chased them about it, they said yes, and now you haven’t mentioned a thing!

pop round with the form, and the photo, it takes 2 seconds, and a bottle of wine or box of chocs and get it done.

Have a look at the guidance on the government passport website. This will tell you that someone who has known you personally for several years, needs to be prepared to write on your photos that it is a true image of you and that they know you. To do this they have to be employed in certain occupations(there is a list) or retired from them or be 'a person of standing within the local community'. Maybe the people you are asking thinking more than this is involved, e.g. they are vouching for your honesty/integrity and they might be worried about this back-firing on them, if you turn out to be a bad 'un.

Would implore people to understand the struggles of being an introvert and knocking on doors, but of course I understand I am at fault and should’ve networked more/made more friends.

Sorry I probably shouldn’t have ranted so much. The question boils down to whether this is a difficult process confirming someone’s identity online (not on paper) - if anyone who has done this can share?

People are so weird about these things. They literally take 2 minutes. Go round with it and smile and ask again politely. I have Done many for friends etc and colleagues depending on the criteria. I've never needed a present for doing it.

The neighbour said yes. Say thank you, send it to them and don’t overthink it. It’s online now and very quick so you’re not putting them out. I think a lot of people use neighbours, especially in the old days when it was paper as it’s easiest to just pop next door! Or you could ask a uni mate if you’d rather? Surely one of them must be suitable; most ‘professional’ jobs are these days. As for making local friends, you’re not going to meet anyone by not putting yourself out there. Try a few different baby groups!

I think an element of this - why would someone want to put their credentials on the line for a neighbour if things backfire? They don’t gain very much from doing it.

I'd just go to the neighbour and get it done. Take chocolates, wine or another small thank you gift to offer as appropriate.

You're almost certainly reading far too much into your previous interactions and way overthinking things. For instance, I really don't see why you seem embarrassed about leaving the house because of it. Chances are that they don't think about it at all and barely even notice you.

They said yes, so take it at face value and go round there. All they need is to put their own full name and passport details (assuming they have a valid one) on your form. That's it. It's unlikely that the Passport Office will contact them at all if everything is in order.

I've done them for quite a few people. It takes no time at all and is of no consequence to me. Not sure what the angst is over. Your neighbour said yes, invite them over to sign it and a cup of tea

People really don’t think like that do they? Unless you’re asking them to lie about how long they’ve known you then this really isn’t a thing. What do they do for a living? If it’s an obviously eligible profession like accountancy then I bet they get asked a lot! I got my best friend to do mine and she said I was her 4th that month- one work colleague and both of the kids from next door!

No, the online process is very easy, but from memory you do need to know the person's current address, so there may be some information you need to provide to the person, which is why they were hesitant?

Edited to explain: someone might be worried to sign it if they don't know your address without asking you i.e. they may be worried that they don't know you well enough if they do not know your current address. Although not relevant in your case with a neighbour!

Why would it backfire? It won't. The Passport Office is a government agency and bound by the data protection laws just like any other. It isn't staffed by crooks.

Why should they gain anything from it? Why do you think they should and what would you want them to gain? They certainly don't lose anything.

There are plenty of documents apart from passport applications that need to be witnessed. Nobody expects payment. I've witnessed things for friends and neighbours. Just a thanks and acknowledgment is all that is necessary.

You really are overthinking this badly.

I quite understand. I either don't know or don't have the kind of relationship with my neighbours where I feel I can ask favours like that, despite living in the same place for 15 years.

I really struggled at one point to get an extra reference for a job as my friends are thin on the ground (read nonexistent). Fortunately, an ex colleague pitched up.

People really need to make the effort to maintain/make relationships for this sort of reason. You shouldn't have to but that's the way it is.

It's not a difficult thing you're asking them to do - 10-15 mins MAX.

Given all these things we collect posts/bins when away/send holiday cards/always have a really nice chat when we see each other. and the fact they've already agreed, what are you afraid will happen when you send them the stuff?

It’s not a difficult process at all, it’s quite straightforward; however, when requesting a favour of somebody it also helps to set out exactly what you’re asking them to do. It would have been a good idea to find out beforehand exactly what the process involved, so that you could tell your neighbour when asking them. As a previous poster has said, your neighbour may never have done this before and be unaware there’s no real time commitment involved / that they are not taking on a legal responsibility for verifying your character or your future behaviour.

I think your problem with regards to connecting socially with people is that you’re very inward-looking and self-focussed. Whilst we’re all the stars of our own shows, we’re supporting characters or even just cameos in other people’s. People aren’t thinking about you and how you come across anywhere near as much as you perceive them to be. Work on getting out from under your own microscope and second guessing other people’s reactions.

All they are asking the verifier to do is confirm that your photograph is an accurate likeness. We renewed my wife's passport a couple om months ago using the online process. I'm 99% certain that after all the faff getting her to decide who she was going to use as a verifier we never even had to submit their details. Maybe they do random checks or perhaps it depends on certain other criteria. Either way, you are getting all worked up over a very trivial matter.

I too am quite introverted. I do understand some of the apprehension. I feel some of it sometimes, but not to paralysing levels.

You seem to be scared of your neighbours and there is no need for that.

Have you considered getting help for your anxiety? I'm not being snarky there, just wondering if you might need it.

It is a very simple and straightforward thing you are asking and provided that they have valid passports it takes just minutes. Not at all difficult, especially using the online system.

When I had to get the kids done I put a post out to my Facebook contacts asking if anyone qualified and was willing to do it. A couple replied to say they would, and those who didn't want to could just ignore without being put on the spot.

I am the go to person in my social circle for this as I'm basically the only one who has a professional job.

It's really not hard, the form can be done online and takes about 5 mins max. You'd need to upload a photo for them to certify (you can also still do it by physically getting your photo signed but that's more hassle).

Your neighbour would need to give their passport number and NI number (from memory) so that might be where the reluctance is coming from? Some people have weird ideas about sharing any form of their personal data.

I think when DH had to get his done (I obviously couldn't do it!) he asked the local pharmacist, would something like that be an option? Or even a local restaurant manager or something? Although there's a list of approved professions the 'person of good standing' can be pretty widely applicable!

I used to do a lot back when Irish passport holders could do them. It wasn't a huge deal but at some point they started asking for the NI number of the signatory, and that felt a bit more invasive somehow.

I still signed them for friends and colleagues and also sometimes for patients where we had known them a long time and had an ongoing relationship. If the passport office is in doubt, someone rings you to discuss how you know them and get a feel for whether you are legit. Since they were calling me on a work landline within an NHS trust, they always approved mine after a brief chat.

If your old neighbour is elderly and uncomfortable with the online process maybe that was off putting to them? I know my mum would hate it.

Thank you so much! I am glad your ex colleague helped!

Oh no I am not paralysed by it! Paralysis seems like quite a strong going word. I still go out and continue with my daily activities - I just don’t want to bump into my neighbours. Thanks for your suggestion though - it’s always important to signpost people to get proper medical help! ☺️

Thank you for identifying my problem! Going forward, I will work on stepping off my own microscope slide - although it’ll be hard to wash off the Gram stain but I will try my best. :)

I really prefer to be in my own element with my immediate family, a few close friends. I have a busy job and will happily be by myself on a day off.

Not anyone can confirm identity/a financial analyst/investment banker for example are not on the list. It feels strange having to know people on a personal level who are one of the approved professions to get things like this done but I guess it is what it is.

Thanks everyone for your words of wisdom.