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?

I'm also mildly concerned that the OP is not posting in good faith.

It would explain why there is absolutely no one at all who would be prepared/able to countersign.

For my eldest first one I went to the church, the vicar did it !

Hmmm Mumsnet really shouldn’t let this post stand. It’s an obvious fishing exercise in getting around the requirement to have someone confirm your identity or your child’s. It would be really worrying if they let anyone get a passport for a child without a counter signature. It’s very convenient way to leave lovely sign posts for a child trafficker.

This. With bells.

OP, I hope you find a solution. I think the solicitor one may work. By yes, call the passport office. I trust they will be far more understanding than a lot of people on here!

Tradesmen are often self employed and generally not middle class, see also cleaners, hairdressers, beauticians or garage mechanics.

Working class people may well have a boss or colleague that could sign

Or ask eg football coach or someone who facilitates a kids activity
Someone at a church/mosque or place of worship
Someone at a food bank?
Its not reliant on having solicitors or bank managers in your circle of friends

It's got absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with any "middle class bubble"!! Pretty much everyone knows a dinner lady, a TA, a self-employed tradesman, or whatever!!

I’m more than happy for MN to delete this thread. I don’t know why it’s still going I haven’t posted in 2 hours yet you’re all still going wild. I’m not the poster from the other thread and have no idea what that’s about but will happily post on it to show it isn’t me (since you can’t comment on your own thread with a different user name) but I’m sure people will still say it’s me 🤣. Again happy for this to be deleted. I will call them on Monday and see what they suggest.

You can pay a Commissioner of Oaths to do it.

OP can you explain why you can’t ask a parent of your DCs friend?

If they have known you for 2 years. Otherwise not.

This has to be the most bizarre thread ever, an instant classic, up there with well-known fan favourites.

Three possible scenarios:

1. Social experiment on how long people would in good faith give logical answers to illogical requests
2. OP has (severe) mental health problems
3. OP trying to find a way around the system (mumsnet probably not the best place for such an endeavour, but you never know).

In any case, hope it gets deleted soon.

No you can't.

The commisioner of oaths thing......I suspect that what they are referring to is the Statutory Declaration. I had to do one in relation to DD's passport, and its a legal oath that you are (or in this case, the DD;s) are who you say. Its like swearing an oath in court, to lie is considered perjury and you would be prosecuted if found to have lied.

I mentioned it above as a possibility for the OP but she would need to speak to HMPO first.

There is only one version of the application form and the countersignatory has to state how long they have known the applicant, the capacity in which they know them and give their own passport details.

This means a solicitor or commissioner of oaths would have to say if they had known the applicant for less than 2 years, and the application will be rejected if that’s the case.

As lying on a passport application form is a criminal offence and would result in the solicitor or commissioner being struck off they are not going to do that. And certainly not for the price of a stat dec fee!

The Tunisia OP's scenario at least made sense of some of the oddities of this thread.

So if not that, then I revert back to my earlier unease — is someone trying to spirit children out of the country without anyone who knows them (and could countersign passport photos) noticing and raising the alarm?

Yes I struggled with this, it’s a complete pain in the ass!! Any professionals we know well are directly related to us, and we had moved a lot/changed jobs after DS was born/don’t really go to the GP much, so hadn’t known any others for long enough. People are really funny about it, my SIL’s teacher friend who had known her for years and met us quiet a few times refused to do it as she said she didn’t know us well enough.
In the end we got my DH’s business partner to do it, as we had known him for 2 years by then, but it stalled our plans to get a passport for ages.
The rules are ridiculous - they assume people have lots of peers who work in recognised professions, or otherwise are in contact with the same GP etc for years. That doesn't apply to all of us and makes it very tricky, especially with young children who aren’t in school yet.

OP may have had to cut ties with her former life or acquaintances for safety reasons. I am sure there must be something in place to handle applications from those in this position.

according to my good friend ChatGPT…

If the applicant truly has no one who meets the requirements, they should contact HM Passport Office directly. They may allow alternative methods to verify the child's identity. Possible options include:

1. Written Explanation: The parent can write a detailed letter explaining their circumstances and why they cannot find a countersignatory.
2. Professional Contacts: Even if they don't have friends in qualifying professions, they might have interacted with people such as a GP, social worker, teacher, or religious leader who could be willing to countersign.
3. Additional Supporting Documents: HM Passport Office may ask for extra paperwork or interviews to verify identity.
4. Alternative Verification: In some rare cases, they may offer another way to confirm the child's identity, such as attending an in-person interview.

If the family has any interaction with government agencies (such as social services), they should also ask those professionals for help.

OP sorry about the grief you're getting. I find your question plausible, lives differ. Hope you find a workable solution.

@Inyournewdress why is she being so cryptic then? If she’s cut ties with a former life just say that then instead of providing obtuse responses. “I recently fled DV with my children and have no contact with anyone from my previous life. I have asked my GP and school teachers to sign but they have vehemently refused even though I explained there is literally nobody else. What can I do?”

No, you can’t. That would defeat the purpose of a countersignatory.

And also why say the HT at the school can’t do it because he’s new in post rather than that the kids haven’t attended the school for 2 years? If the kids haven’t changed school, the OP is hardly in hiding for her own and their safety.

No, what’s a GP got to do with it? You can’t use a GP anyway.

The solicitor did not say anything about knowing me because they didnt! I was asked by HMPO to do one, and the application was then approved. Thats why I said the OP would need to speak to them first.