Don’t have anyone to sign passport

[BlueBurys]

I really want to take my children abroad but don’t have anyone to do their passports. Has anyone been in this situation and what did you do? (Don’t need any suggestions of who can sign it I’m aware and have looked through the list but don’t have anyone that can do it) is there anything else that can be done if you’ve been in this situation?

You've said you know who can do it but the list is not exhaustive. My profession is not on the list, nor is it related to any registered body but I have successfully countersigned passports for friends gaining UK citizenship as well as for new babies and their first passports. Anything vaguely professional or office based will work.

This is weird. You don't know anyone with a job who has known you for two years? I've done this for dozens of people lots I don't really know that well - such as mums at the school gate, friends of friends, a friend of my cousin, a colleague of my sister. You don't have to be close to these people they just have to be able to verify your identity. Anyway if you really haven't got anyone I'd suggest that the passport issue is the least of your worries.

Don’t take it personally. Loads of people have suggested the dentist / optician / football coach too and it’s just ignored with no explanation.

@BlueBurys my brother was in this situation with his own passport. He went to a local solicitor who did it, my brother had to bring his other forms of identification with him.
Try contacting local solicitors

I'm really sorry for you Op. I have been in the situation where I have tried to get things signed / witnessed by people who are eligible and they just say no. Some people are just not helpful :-(
We even had DH's best mate said he wouldn't be his best man. Some best mate!

Well OP, if you’re convinced that you know nobody who can sign, probably the best bet is to contact the passport office as you are planning to. What they will say is anybody’s guess though.

Thank you I will try this.

OP, no one has ever been in your situation, because there are multiple options for signing.

The only option is to get it signed.

If you have literally asked everyone you know and anyone in the community who might consider helping, and cant afford to ask a solicitor or accountant to sign for a small fee, then best leave this thread and call the helpline.

There is no alternative. I have social anxiety and don’t socialise with people except family. I asked parents of my children’s friends to do them. Many are teachers, nurses and civil servants. I really hate asking people I barely know but it just has to be done. I am glad it’s over because youngest is 10 and have just renewed her passport. That means I don’t have to ask anymore.

Thank you, at least someone understands it’s not always that simple.

There isn’t an alternative as the application has to be countersigned.

You have no friends, no neighbours, no employer, no hobbies with other people , your children have no friends who have parents you see at the school gates, no nursery staff?

Nobody said it was necessarily simple. But refusing to even try and speak to any of your children's friends' parents is you choosing to make it complicated.

Our school headmaster signed for my kids. I think you can pay at the post office to certify photos too

There's 'not simple' and then there's not answering questions about whether or children have friends, they have parents, any of you have a dentist or optician, etc. People can't help unless they know what you have and haven't tried and what might be available to you.

There are so many people who can sign, i doubt you can get around it or no one would bother. The person who runs the local corner shop, the manager of your local supermarket, your kids football or ballet coach, someone self employed like your hairdresser/kids barber, person who does your nails, anyone who has a qualification or degree, even if they're not currently working. I have a degree so signed for my friends kids, even though i have never worked for years as I am a parent carer. Mine was signed by the manager of my local Savers, one of my friends kids was signed by the girl in the cheque cashing place because she had a jewellery/diamond qualification, I'm not sure what. There has to be someone. On a side note, my eldest son was 6 when I applied for his passport, I had to wrote it letter saying I didn't know who his Father was, otherwise(unless the rules have changed) they could make you try to contact him for permission, even if he's not on the birth certificate. Make sure you get advice on the current rules around that.

Really not sure why you've posted if you don't want suggestions.

What have other people done - well its either not taken the kids abroad or, driven abroad and smuggled them without passports (my parents did this on discovering my sisters passport had expired. Made her hide under blankets in the back of the car!).

Or secret option C - find someone willing to lie.

have your children had play dates - ask the parents of that child.
have your children been to parties, if so ask the parent of birthday child.

does you child do any after school activities, ask the leader

do you have a neighbour that have seen your children go in and out of your house. Ask them?

do you have a job? Ask someone you work with.

If you don’t have a bank account (bank is one of the listed professions) then you must deal with the post office in some way to handle cash.

I have a bank account but I never go into the branch. I don’t imagine many people would be known to the bank staff. Also, I never handle cash.

I got my vet to sign it. He's had an absolute fortune off me over the years so he knew I was who I said I was. Cost me a kilo of mini eggs.

I remember I went to local police station - but that was a few years ago.

You must have neighbours

I wouldn’t bother as if the solicitor has never met you, they won’t do this.

I’m a solicitor and one of my colleagues was struck off 30 years ago for being stupid enough to do this. It’s an absolute no no and not worth the professional risk to do it.

wow this post is getting gripping,gp,surely you go to a gp?dentist,do you even open your curtains when your at home

Well who signed yours?
I've signed for colleagues kids on the basis that I've known their parents for 2 years?

..