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.

It doesn't need to be a local person who does it for you. Since it is now online the person can be based anywhere if that helps you at all.

It just shows a pic and asks if it is you and confirm they know you. I'm also social screwed and got my ohs business partner to do me and my 3 kids took him like 3 mins for all?

They may not have realised it was simple.

Or maybe you're similar to me and feel like an absolute pain in the buttons to ask anyone from anything then project that awkward feelings and turns into Paranoia ( in other words neighbour was probably okay with it )

Is this your first passport? Or are you renewing? I only ask as in your op you say new passport and I just wanted to say if you’re renewing an English/uk passport you are unlikely to need a counter signature.

No body really needs to worry about signing it back firing on them, all somebody is signing for is to say they’ve known you for 2 years and your face is the face in the photo.

The actual process works extremely well and I think the passport office work quick compared to a lot of our other services ( yes DVLA I’m looking at you ) but finding a signature for some is a challenge!

I do know what you mean though about how awkward it can be, I am a very shy person and hate asking for anything. I got my first ever passport at 18 (never went abroad as a child ) and I didn’t know anyone that could sign. Back then you could ask the GP to sign it for a fee, which is what I did but I believe they have stopped allowing that now.

I know how hard it is to ask someone for a favour, and how easy it is to think the vibe is off really I do. Generally if someone says yes to helping out, they will do it. Try and ignore your head telling you the vibe is off and just say thank you

^This so much!

It’s done online now. The person will be sent an email and they need to confirm your details.

I’m sure your neighbour will do it. Nobody is going to be excited about having another admin task to complete but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fine about doing it.

Financial analysts and investment bankers can witness these types of documents.

The list is a guide only and not completely exhaustive. My financial adviser (a qualified investment banker and at the time also my employer) used to witness these and many other things. Including for me.

The list isn't exhaustive.
Just because it isn't listed, doesn't mean you can't use them.
I wouldn't have thought twice about using a financial analyst or investment banker if I knew any. They are jobs in regulated environments.

Oh god I had this when I was getting DDs first passport, all they have to do in enter their passport number and confirm the photo is a true likeness, I asked a friend and she said she would do it, she didn’t, it got to the point that we were going on holiday in 12 weeks and the timescale for a new passport was 10 weeks so I asked her nicely if she could do it asap and she still didn’t do it, in the end I had to contact an old colleague who did it straight away but why say you’ll do it if you’re not going to!?

I do it relatively frequently (as I'm in one of the listed professions). Mostly, you just fill out your details and never hear anything. Occasionally, an official will call and check that you really do know the person, and you say yes. That can be a bit scary, but it's never gone any further than that.

Once I was asked to do it for a naturalisation, and the rules are stricter than for a standard passport. I didn't have a British passport at the time (I am a dual national) so I had to apply for one and get it before I could help. That was one of the ones that did have a follow up call, so I was glad I'd looked at the person's papers.

To answer your question, no it’s not at all difficult. They get an email with a photo of you asking you to confirm you are indeed that person. Takes seconds!

FWIW pretty much anyone with a work email address can do it. Not hotmail or gmail, but a reputable company. It’s not just confined to the list they give you of doctors teachers lawyers etc. I’ve done it for friends, and I’m not in that list but work for a well known firm.

Is this a new process then ? Pretty sure I didn't need to do this last time I renewed my passport (online application 2019). I recall having to get people to sign my previous physical application form .

Most normal people don't think like that, no.

However, the higher up/more powerful you get, the less willing you become to put your name on anything, because everything you sign has a risk associated with it and the more you sign, the more accumulated risk you incur.

It's probably also true to say that people in higher up positions also get to see more of the consequences of people putting their name to stuff that they really shouldn't, and that makes them a lot more reluctant to do it themselves. If they are smart anyway.

Personally I think the whole passport iD check thing is a bit of a joke. The list of people who are allowed to sign isn't exactly exclusive.

Two people have said they will do it, did you put an email on the form and just get it done or are your still faffing about and worrying about it? I would be happy to do a passport ID check for someone I knew but wasn't that close to, I would be annoyed if I agreed and they didn't get on and do it, just kept asking in the hope I'd beg them to be able to do it or something. What are you waiting for?

It's a total non event "does this look like x," "confirm you have known them 2+ years" and "can we contact you again if there is a problem." It takes about 2 minutes.

Noting to do with random checks or anything like that it's only needed for a first passport or if previous one expired more than 10 years ago. It's not needed for a renewal so that's why your wife didn't have to enter the info.

If it’s a first passport you’ll have to do it - but if it’s a renewal it’s incredibly unlikely. I just renewed all the family passports and none of them asked for a reference.

I’ve asked a friend too who said they would, but they haven’t and just keep delaying things.

How are they delaying, out of interest? Can’t you just arrange a time to have a coffee and get them to do it online with you there? Or a phone call/FaceTime and have them do it then, if you email over all the links etc.

I have done it for one person. I'm not actually on the approved list of professions. But it's an old university friend of mine and they have no one else. So I decided we could try and I might just be a person of good standing. (I'm a software developer). It's all online, and the person applying for the passport only needs your email address. I got sent a link and I have to fill in my passport number and say that I recognise the photo as the person. I can't remember if I needed my NI number as some PP said.

If it's a adult renewal, I don't believe you need a countersignature. You need one for children passports renewal. So you'll need your neighbour or one of your old friends to help with your child's passport.

I'm also a person with social anxiety. It stressed me about getting personal references for jobs so I don't want to apply for a new one. So I can totally relate to @AgnesX.

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).......................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

@raindayrain I think you're probably making this a bigger deal than it is. If someone asked me to verify their ID for a passport, I'd probably reply "yes, that's fine" or similar, and then I'd wait for you to arrange a time that suits me. I wouldn't be reluctant, and I'd be baffled if you felt awkward seeing me around

This was such a pita for me when I did my 3yr old ds passport.. Obviously he doesn't really know anyone. 🤔
Can't be family - asked family friend, can't be self employed - asked colleague but I don't think the profession was recognised? They made it so confusing.
In the end I had to ask dh to get his boss to sign it. There were like 5 rejections. 😂

I literally did this yesterday. They will receive an email from the passport office (obviously you need their email for the form). They are asked to confirm your date of birth, address and how long they've known you. The email from the passport office goes out immediately, so make sure you give them a heads up and provide the necessary info beforehand. Don't sweat the professions piece, I asked if "retired" was OK and it was!

@ChristmasTreeCookies managers are on the accepted list. That's who we usually ask. DH or my manager at work. They are usually good with it.

They don't have to be on the list as they can be of 'good standing in the community' too.

If its a renewal you don't need a countersignature. If its a lost/stolen or a first ever passport you do.

I’ve been asked to do it quite a few times as my profession is on the list, but have only done paper countersigns not online.

Passport Office did check me once, to verify my details, but that was for a baby’s first passport and think it was common for them to do that at that time

As a fellow introvert who struggles to establish new relationships, you are massively overthinking this.

There’s nothing to backfire on the neighbour as long as they’re not lying about the length of time they’ve known you. Even if you went on to commit some kind of fraud, it’s highly unlikely they’d be held accountable.

They’ve said yes, just get on with it. Get them a box of chocolates/bottle of wine afterwards if you want to be extra nice. But it’s not necessary, I know I wouldn’t expect it.