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?

Why can’t he vote or get a bus pass? What has being a loner got to do with any of those things?

Unusual yes, but the person needs to have known OP for 2 years. I can think of a few scenarios that could explain why she doesn’t have anyone she CAN ASK who have known her that long.

She doesn’t need to ‘know’ them, they must know her kids!

There are various situations a person can find themselves in eg seeking asylum, fleeing dv or abusive relationships or be completely new to an area or country, and be unable to ask anyone. We don't know the OPs circumstances.

But it's also true that lots of people (for whatever reason) actively choose to keep their circle very small. See the number of posts where people don't speak to work colleagues, or take in a parcel, speak to their neighbour and lots not wanting to speak to "school mums"

For a child passport they sign to say they have known the parent for 2 years as well as being able to identify the child in the photo

That is not correct. The countersignatory must know the applicant for at least 2 years if it's the adult's passport and must know the parent for at least 2 years for a child's passport.

Honestly there is much misinformation on this thread.

That’s why I put know in inverted commas, there must be parents of her kids’ friends who have seen her over the years in passing, know who she is but does not necessarily need to ‘know’ them as a friend. I know who many of my kids’ classmates’ parents are by sight but may not have ever talked to them.

May well have relevance to the OP!

I certainly wouldn't countersign a passport photo on that limited knowledge. The countersignatory should be in a position where if they are shown a photograph of the person they can say "that's Jane Bloggs".

You cannot say that with certainty about persons you don't know other than your assumption about their connection to the children.

Exactly. You don't need a reference to get a bus pass or vote.

I'm pretty sure you need photo ID (driving licence or passport) to vote in person.
Unsure of the rules on postal voting

If someone is seeking asylum then they probably wouldn't be going on holiday abroad and wouldn't be entitled to a British passport yet anyway. As for the other instances, a holiday abroad is a luxury not a necessity, she could just go without like many of us do.

In England you need Photo ID to vote in a number of classes of Elections. If no passport or photo-driving-licence, you can apply for a "Voter Authority Certificate"

www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate

You don't need ID for a postal vote.

A senior bus pass is also easy to get. You just need a photo and fill in a form.

Have you actually read any of the thread?

I've read most of the thread and it's irrelevant to voting or senior bus passes.

OP you have asked for help but you aren’t answering pertinent questions.

Are you an employee?

Do you attend a place of worship?
Do you regularly have hair or beauty appointments?

It is honestly very unlikely that you don’t know anyone who can sign for you. The list on the paperwork is not exhaustive. The person doesn’t have to have seen you in the last two years - just to have known you for more than two years. My very first passport was actually signed by an old friend of my Dads who hadn’t seen me for about 10 years but had known me as a child and could confirm that it was still me.

The person who mentioned “witness protection” was jesting but that is one if the few ways that you wouldn’t know anyone “of good standing”, who has a British passport and who has known you for over two years.

Yes, you have had some harsh responses but you aren’t exactly helping people to assist you.

I’ve read every single post. What on earth has your retired loner friend got do with anything? Can’t vote? Can’t get a bus pass? What has any of this to do with a countersignatory for a passport?

It's very difficult when you're asking for a solution and saying there isn't one.

If you are certain you've thought of every possible person who would be suitable to sign it and don't have access to anyone who meets the criteria then try the helpline.

is there anything else that can be done if you’ve been in this situation?

Two options left for the the resolutely-determined-that-they-know-no-possible-countersignatory types:

1). You delay taking your children on holiday abroad.

2). Make some friends/acquaintances who fit the bill and can sign in 2 years time.

Hi I done mine and my daughters online as we had two months left on them and didn’t need anyone to sign.
I got pictures done at a booth with a code ten pounds each and paid online sent them special delivery and got ours back no probs.
Apply online xx

If your child is age 12+ then you dont need a countersignature but if they are under 12 they do

You were renewing a passport. The OP is applying for a first passport.

That's not correct for a first passport.

That’s a renewal which is different. The OP is asking about a first passport which always requires a counter signature.