Passport

[hamjamwitch]

Really struggling to find someone to give me a reference for my passport application. My dentist left and has gone private. I don't know any other professionals. Wtf can I do?

You just need someone with a valid passport and work email address ie not gmail hotmail etc. If your clerical job friend works for a company, she/he can do it.

Ask your son teacher.

It's fine. The list is not that strict. Just try her.

I’ve been doing my friends for years, started when I was an accounts assistant so not a professional job. Just having a UK passport seems to be enough. Your friend with the clerical job would be fine.

What's the point in giving advice for a different country?

Ask your friends on social media or WhatApp groups.

For example the class WhatsApp - surely there will be other parents who can sign and have known to at least two years, if you have children.

Acquaintances/managers at work.

Neighbourhood WhatsApp; in our small area of a couple of roads I can think of at least half a dozen people to ask who are either current or retired professionals.

There are loads of people, surely you can think of someone, examples people who have posted on here to help remind you?

Do you remember that true story about the man who faked his own death for insurance purposes and asked the librarian to sign for his passport under a fake name after he started going to the library for a couple of years?! Not sure why that to mind!

But we are talking about the UK so what happens in other countries isnt relevant

The rules are old fashioned and stupid. I would ring the passport office for advice.

People insisting you can ask "anyone" are being disingenuous. I've signed several, but I don't do it for people I don't know well. A colleague ended up in court because she did one for a friend of a friend which turned out to be fraudulent. I certainly wouldn't do it for a passing aquaintance, a neighbour I wasn't close to or a class parent I hadn't known long or hadn't had previous dealings with.

OP, I sign as a "bank official", it doesn't need to be a senior post, if you know anyone who works for a bank?

Or just go with either of the friends as advised by more than one PP.

Kids school teacher ?

They asked a question, I answered, and made it clear what jurisdiction I'm in. This place is frequented by lots of nationalities.

Many school have put a stop to this as it was another ‘can you just’ job that was one too many (on top of all of the others).

Heads that I’ve worked for in the last 10 years have put a blanket ban on us doing it for children at school/their siblings/parents/grandparents.

"Shop worker is not an accepted profession on the list that the passport office sent to me"

It is if she's of good standing in the community. Ie, not a criminal. She doesn't need to be anything on the list. It right there in black and white on the paperwork you have and on the government website.

Good standing OR has a job on the list.

We own our home and I don't have a boss. I care for my son and my mum. Not had paid employment for 16 years

My son left school a few years ago

Shop or clerical friend then now that you have read it properly and know that it can just be a person of good standing. See. Infuriating.

It is so difficult, I sympathise. I had the same issue, mine was also a renewal but about 10 years out of date and they also asked for a counter signature. I gave a friend’s details who has vocational qualifications but not the ones on the list. The passport office said that that weren’t suitable and I had to chose someone else. I had no joy calling them, they just said that I had to find someone and they also need to have a current Uk passport. In the end I asked a TA friend, they thought that they would be rejected but they accepted them. Just be aware that if it’s done online, they do ask the person a lot of questions. The system really needs changing.

Ask your neighbours. One of mine is an accountant and signs all our passports.

"Just be aware that if it’s done online, they do ask the person a lot of questions."

No they don't. It's around 3 clicks plus entering your own info and passport number. Couldn't be simpler. I've done quite a few and the online process is brilliant.

@TakeOnFlea maybe it varies as the website says the person will need to put in your full name, year and place of birth. There might have been more but those 3 were definitely listed.

Does your mum have any friends who could help? I think it doesn't matter if they are retired.

Passport 97 replies

hamjamwitch · Yesterday 16:41
Really struggling to find someone to give me a reference for my passport application. My dentist left and has gone private. I don't know any other professionals. Wtf can I do?

Have you used the same chemist for a couple of years, mine signed my son’s application a few years back

"living next to a police officer or having a child who goes to scouts isn't being superior".
I live in a horrible estate. There are no police officers living here and the kids don't go to scouts (well, mine did but they stood out). Until you've lived in a dump you have no idea how isolating it is.

Neighbours.

You've discounted any friends, don't work, child isn't school. There is bound to be a neighbour who knows you well enough.