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Original poster

Passport problems - this can't be normal?

63 replies

EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 19:49

Basically, I've applied online for a first adult passport at age 40+ (mainly for ID as I don't drive). I said I hadn't had a passport before because in my married name I haven't. I wouldn't know what happened to my old passport as I was a child living with my parents when it was last used, so I felt like reporting it lost or stolen after 30 years would be silly.
Evidently not, because I was sent a letter saying they'd found a passport registered to me (in my married name, which is impossible) and I should send them it or report it lost/stolen.
So I reported it lost, sent them that I'd done it in writing as requested.
Now they've sent me a text saying they need another countersignature - and it can't be the person I asked before. The trouble is I don't know anybody else! I had trouble finding that one person.
Now I feel like just asking for my money and documents back and just deal with having no photo ID.
Does everyone have to go through this much to get a passport?

OP posts:
Brefugee · 30/03/2023 19:51

you can get a citizen card as photo ID? it's much cheaper than a passport

BernadetteIsMySister · 30/03/2023 19:53

You just needed a renewal, not lost or stolen or first passport.

MuthaHubbard · 30/03/2023 19:54

It is a bit strange that you said you'd not had a passport before when you had. I applied for a new passport recently specifically in my married name but told them I had one before
So no I'd not had one in my married name but wouldn't have occurred to me to say I'd not had one before because of that.
You would just say old one lost - whether that was last week or 35 yrs ago

Original poster
EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 20:02

@Brefugee yes, but I can't book an Air BnB with that.

OP posts:
Original poster
EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 20:04

@BernadetteIsMySister and @MuthaHubbard yes I realise that now. I tried to fill in the lost/stolen form before applying but I panicked when I couldn't fill in the answers to most of the questions.
It was my own mistake but now I have f*cked up the chances of getting a passport at all I guess.

OP posts:
CatOnTheChair · 30/03/2023 20:06

If you've got a reason for wanting a passport, I'd just keep plugging through the procedure.
I'd guess they are going to make sure everything is correct tho - as they have already found one major mistake in the application - you clearly have had a passport before, even if 30 years ago.

Where did you find your previous counter signature? That might help you find a second one.

I don't think they will refund the application fee if you withdraw now.

dementedpixie · 30/03/2023 20:06

You would have needed a countersignature anyway as your appearance would have changed significantly since your last one. Did they say why you needed a different countersignature?

KickboxingWanker · 30/03/2023 20:07

It’s to help stop identity theft/fraud - all previous ppts that anyone holds they have a record of.
you’ll need to find a new counter signatory- they want to prove you are who you say you are.
you won’t get your money back, you’ll need to send what they ask for.

QuillBill · 30/03/2023 20:08

Does everyone have to go through this much to get a passport?
No but you have an extra hoop to jump through as you made a mistake by saying you hadn't had a passport before.

It's just another step so don't give in. Have another think about who you might be able to get to countersign.

You won't be able to get the fee back so onwards and upwards.

dementedpixie · 30/03/2023 20:09

And remember the person you use doesn't necessarily have to be on the list of professions as they can be of 'good standing in the community' which could be a small business owner, hairdresser, manager of a pub, etc

My neighbour does ours as she in a nurse

Original poster
EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 20:10

I don't have another person to identify me. The rules are too strict and I don't know anyone in the professions they ask for. The other countersignature was a few weeks ago, not when I had my old passport.

OP posts:
Fortheloveofus · 30/03/2023 20:10

You literally don't know one other person?

Why not a provisional driving licence instead then?

KnittingNeedles · 30/03/2023 20:12

I can see why they are causing you issues tbh - you have told them you have lost a passport when you haven't. At the point where they said they had found a passport in your name why didn't you challenge it?

dementedpixie · 30/03/2023 20:12

EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 20:10

I don't have another person to identify me. The rules are too strict and I don't know anyone in the professions they ask for. The other countersignature was a few weeks ago, not when I had my old passport.

I just said they don't need to be on the list
The other category expands the number of people you can ask

Original poster
EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 20:13

And I'm very introverted, I just don't know that many people and the ones I do don't have a passport themselves (or I could ask my very elderly neighbours, they would fit the "good standing in the community" and I've known them over a decade).

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 30/03/2023 20:13

KnittingNeedles · 30/03/2023 20:12

I can see why they are causing you issues tbh - you have told them you have lost a passport when you haven't. At the point where they said they had found a passport in your name why didn't you challenge it?

OP said she did have a passport in the past. She either needed to send it in or report it lost.

MetalFences · 30/03/2023 20:14

EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 20:10

I don't have another person to identify me. The rules are too strict and I don't know anyone in the professions they ask for. The other countersignature was a few weeks ago, not when I had my old passport.

Then you can't get a passport.

Those are the options. Find another person who can sign or never get a passport.

The rules aren't too strict, there is a reason why they exist. The person has to be at risk of losing something if they lie. It can be the woman who owns the chippy if you have known her long enough l

Fortheloveofus · 30/03/2023 20:15

EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 20:13

And I'm very introverted, I just don't know that many people and the ones I do don't have a passport themselves (or I could ask my very elderly neighbours, they would fit the "good standing in the community" and I've known them over a decade).

There you go, problem solved

Original poster
EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 20:16

@Fortheloveofus they don't have a passport

OP posts:
Ringsender2 · 30/03/2023 20:17

What about your pharmacist?

Ringsender2 · 30/03/2023 20:17

Or postmaster/mistress?

Original poster
EverySporkIsSacred · 30/03/2023 20:21

@Ringsender2 I rang the passport office when trying to find someone suitable and they suggested the Pharmacist too. Pharmacist said no, they need to have known you personally for at least two years. Suggested I ask my GP. GP said same, they don't do it.
I don't have a regular postperson.

OP posts:
Galliano · 30/03/2023 20:24

Do you have a job? Line manager…
Do you have children in school? Teacher, headteacher

AmIThatMam · 30/03/2023 20:25

how many people have their own pharmacist?! Seriously though, they have to know you personally, not just have seen you when picking up your prescription

Muchtoomuchtodo · 30/03/2023 20:29

Where do you go regularly?

work, library, pub, cafe, sports club?

There will be someone at any of those places who could help with being your counter signatory.

you made a mistake on your application so things are going to be a bit more complicated but don’t give up.