Passport countersignaturies AIBU to think it's a ridiculous system

[cadburyegg]

I'm trying to get a new passport, I lost my old one so need a countersignatory.

I asked my friend who is a GP to do it. I've known her for 20 years so i don't know her professionally. She agreed but the system couldn't recognise her details and she thinks it might be because she got married and her passport is in her maiden name. She tried to put her old name in but that didn't work. So she said to ask her dad, who I do know, who is a retired solicitor. The system couldn't recognise him either - he called them and they suggested trying his old address as he moved a few years ago. But that didn't work either.

I do have a couple of other people I can ask but it sounds like they need to have a current passport, be in a recognised profession obvs, not changed their name in the last 10 years and not moved in that time?? AIBU to think this is utterly ridiculous??

No requirement to change name on passport or at all on marriage

The recognised profession thing is ridiculous. I am most definitely a professional person but apparently don’t count
but whoever does it needs to copy the details from their current passport- for the vast majority of counter signers that is not going to be an issue

Ive never had any trouble with the online countersigning system and I've done a few for people I know. It really simple if you copy the details from your current passport. The passport office has no idea where you live so it won't be anything to do with that ino

I've only ever counted signed on paper forms, guess it's computer based now is it?

It wouldn't be easier "just to pop to the nearest passport office" if you live in the Highlands, Cornwall, wilds of Wales...

I have renewed my passport and my kids have, asking a family friend to confirm identities without any issues at all, so it does sound like it's a system glitch.

If you want to actually use it you have to change the name. Fine if it's sitting in a drawer. But signing someone's passport is also using it.

How would the passport computer know you'd got married, you dont need to change it if you dont want to, just make sure to book tickets in the name on the passport.

You must know that married women dont have to change their name

Come again? I married years ago, kept my name and have travelled extensively in the meantime and countersigned passports, using the passport still in my name (rather than bearing my husband's surname). Likewise I know of colleagues who have changed their name socially (including their passport) but maintained their maiden name in their profession. All perfectly fine and usual.

Just out of interest - how does this work if you change your name and then book a flight in your 'new' name but your passport has your previous surname - can you still fly?

Or would you need to book your flight in your 'old' name? and if you had travel insurance, would that also need your 'old' name?

so many questions !😁

Just book in the name on the passport

The problem is that there's so much fraud. A British Passport is very valuable to someone not entitled to one.

Or they don't want to have to pay for a full new passport when may have years left on one in their maiden name.

When I married I had 8 years left on my passport - you can't just change the name you have to apply for a new passport and pay the £80ish as though yours had expired.

You don't have to change your name so I travelled on my maiden name for years until I had my son and wanted the same surname on passports for ease - then I still had a couple of years left on the old one.

They need a scheme where you can change your name without paying a fortune for a new passport - like they do with driving licences

I recently 'signed' several passport applications despite not having changed my passport to my married name. I just did it all in my maiden name although I haven't changed details with banks etc and Experian is showing a soft check by HM Passport Office so that could be why

Obviously I know you don't have to change your name oh I cant even be bothered turning the thread into a name change saga. I meant if your name is changed ffs. Anyone travelling in their maiden name and booking tickets in their maiden name shouldn't be but that's up to them if they don't want to pay the fee. But when they try and use the passport as ID for something else it doesn't count with the wrong name on it.

Yes Ireland definitely does it. I'm sure other countries do too.
I thought the UK system was really efficient. All someone has to do is get an email and confirm, very quick and easy.

Wrong.

Nobody even needs to change their name on marriage if they don't want to. No need or requirement therefore to change their passport. They just need to make sure that they use the correct details as they appear on their passport, which should be a current one, not expired.

And I just cross posted with you too. 🤣

Did you read anything I said?? I SAID IF THEY ARE CHANGING THEIR NAME, NOT THAT THEY HAVE TO CHANGE THEIR NAME. FFS.

Yes I do but I've worked there less than 2 years so they are not supposed to do it. I might ask though

Did you read my edit? 🤣

No didn't spot that 🤣🤣

I have already paid and they've told me I only have until the 17th September to get someone to countersign. This is mostly my own fault as it's probably been 2/3 months since I first did the application. I just didn't think it would be such a palaver. I don't think you should have to pay the fee until someone has confirmed your identity

If anyone's willing to do it then just let them. The Passport Office are very unlikely to check.

Yes initially I thought it would be a good thing because my GP friend doesn't live close to me so it's supposedly easier to do it electronically. But now I wish they'd go back to having someone sign the back of your photo

Thanks all, there's probably several people I could ask then, fingers crossed I find someone who the system works for!

That is beyond ridiculous and also makes me wonder if maybe the profession does matter ?!