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 sorry that’s right my daughter is 13 I would ask the school / nursery/ or your gp. If I were near you I would as I know what it’s like being a single mum with not many people around you.
I hope you get it sorted. Xxx

The person i was replying to was doing a renewal

You need a countersignature for a first passport. The countersignatory can't be a gp unless the doctor is coincidentally a friend of the parent of at least 2 years standing.

The person you quoted was the OP and she’s applying for first passports for the children.

@Katrinawaves I quoted @BettyBoo000 's post where she said she didn't need a countersignature for an online child renewal.

You need a countersignature for a first passport and for a child renewal under age 12. You also need a countersignature if a passport is lost

OP, I don't think it is usual for a presumably youngish person with children in school to literally not have a single friend, neighbour, acquaintance or colleague who knows them well enough to sign a passport form saying 'Yes, I know this person and this is an accurate photo of them.' You must be terribly isolated if this is the case. Or perhaps you are hiding from someone in an abusive past, in which case I am sorry and hope you find a way forward.

Sorry you are quite right. I confused you and BettyBoo

My doctor's do them for a fee.

Well they shouldn't as they are specifically listed not to do it unless they know you personally

how do you live such an isolated life?

dont you have any friends ir neighbours?

somebody recently posted in our street WhatsApp group….can anyone sign my passport?

do a facebook post
ask other parents at school

anyone who is a limited co director…that could be all sorts of people: local plumber

I gave my Mam my first passport form to be signed by her solicitor.
A few years later she blurted out that she signed it. Had no problems obtaining my passport.

Your landlord ? Housing officer council worker ?

Did your children have a health visitor? Any chance you might be able to ask them? Or anyone who works for the council? Local children's centre (will come under council)? Nursery staff?

Failing all that - and it may seem a bit out there - but is there any chance of searching for any of your old teachers on Facebook? Or old classmates? Out of 30 there'll have to be at least one who could do it?

You genuinely don’t know a single person that has known you and your children for 2 years? I don’t really have friends but an acquaintance (mum of child in daughters class) signed my daughters.

@BlueBurys what did the helpline suggest? It might help others in similar circumstances to know what happened?

Do you know anyone on the PTA committee at school who knows you and your child? They are a charity trustee so that will be enough.

We really want to know what the helpline said OP.
Although I can see that posting their answer might be too outing (re yr situation). At least let us know if it was that kind of v specific answer?

Me too.

Gosh, who would have thought someone struggling to get a passport would cause so much chaos?!

@BlueBurys I’m actually in this position right now, having left my old life behind for safety reasons.
trying to find someone to counter-sign is hard going.

I’m contemplating breaking my silence and reaching out to an old work colleague, but having vanished this seems rude to just appear and ask a favour, not to mention the fact it could risk us being found.

If you find a solution I would love to know. Wishing you all the best.

Any adults involved with running children’s clubs/sports/workshops/before or after school/holiday sessions/brownies etc will have a DBS certificate which (should) mean they’re an upstanding member of community.

I think in your circumstances @Stinkysmellysocks you could use a PO Box as your address on the passport application form, complete section 8 to say why you have done so, and send your actual residential address separately with the countersigned application form. That would mean the former work colleague wouldn’t actually have an address to pass on to the person you are fleeing from.

Can you ask your parents if they have a friend who can sign it or a family member that doesn’t have the same surname? I normally get my aunties partner to sign mine

I was in this position with my son. It was so stressful. We moved house less than 2 years ago, so neighbours not an option. All my friends either had no British passport or were on the other side of England.
I was advised by the info line - no other option than witness.
They were very unhelpful.
My son’s teacher was very happy to sign but this was rejected by the passport office - until this day, I don’t know why.
Again - info line couldn’t explain this either.
In the end I asked my work colleague who saw my kids in passing a few times over the years and they accepted.
I wasn’t given any other option which is ridiculous.
I can easily imagine how difficult is to fulfil those criteria in certain circumstances. I hope you’ll find the way 👍
good luck 🍀

If you don’t need suggestions what do you want? You’ve asked what other people have done, this would be a suggestion? Ask your neighbour to do it, or a school friends parent, they must go to clubs/have friends? They won’t check it, it’s just a signature. Assuming your children aren’t wanted by the police, you’re probably overthinking it!