Author Topic: Passport countersignatory? (Read 19271 times)

Doosh · « **on:** 31 May, 2011, 07:16:09 pm »

I'm thinking of applying for a passport, but not only will I need to attend an interview (no doubt not local) I've got to get it countersigned, the brief list I've seen states:

have known you for at least two years
live in the UK

Your countersignatory should not:

be related to you by birth or marriage
be in a personal relationship with you
live at the same address as you
work for the Identity and Passport Service

I'm struggling to think of an appropriate person, has anyone else recently had to do this?

Mike J · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 May, 2011, 07:20:02 pm »

Someone you work with may be able to sign it for you.

Find your nearest interview office here - Directgov : Maps - Passport Interview Offices

interzen · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 May, 2011, 07:23:59 pm »

I'm in the process of renewing my passport and am having the photos countersigned by the MD of the company I work for - obviously this is only really a viable option if you work for a small company, as I do.

Failing that, anyone you work with who happens to have 'manager' in their title ought to be sufficient.

Doosh · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 May, 2011, 07:44:16 pm »

I'm not in work at present, which is why I am struggling to think of someone!

Rapples · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 May, 2011, 07:45:58 pm »

Teacher, Doctor, Nurse?

Basically I think you need someone traceable through a professional body or association.

interzen · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 May, 2011, 07:49:07 pm »

Your GP might be the best bet, then - they may charge you for the privilege, though.

Doosh · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 May, 2011, 07:49:55 pm »

I suppose it depends on how strict they about the 2 years bit?

I suppose I could get one of the Doctors at my surgery to sign it but I don't know any of them, the last one I saw has retired and even then it was just the single visit so it's not like I know him.

Greenbank · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 May, 2011, 07:53:24 pm »

Landlord of a local pub?

(I was going to use my old boss, who was a landlord, for one of my passport applications but he'd popped out when I got there. I got one of the usual drunks, a recruitment consultant with some proffessional membership, to do it instead.)

border-rider · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 May, 2011, 07:57:19 pm »

A "professional person"

I've done them a few times as a parish councillor, and also because I can put "Dr" in front on my name if I want to (I don't, usually, outside of work situations). Also (I think) as a company director

hellymedic · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 May, 2011, 08:04:20 pm »

I would be happy to countersign for people I know. That would include interzen...

Biggsy · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 May, 2011, 08:08:26 pm »

Think through friends of the family - even if they barely know you, really.

A retired professional is ok, I think.

gonzo · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 May, 2011, 08:18:45 pm »

Ahhh. Counter signatories; a top reason for keeping in contact with neighbours!

pdm · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 May, 2011, 09:05:45 pm »

Quote from: Rapples on 31 May, 2011, 07:45:58 pm

Teacher, Doctor, Nurse?

Basically I think you need someone traceable through a professional body or association.

Interestingly, "Doctor" is not listed in the list of "suitable persons to act as a counter signatory". However, I suspect that their presence is implied.
Alternatively, it could just be part of the ongoing persecution that successive govenrments have waged against the medical profession because doctors are "trusted" by the general public and politicians are not

However, I too would be happy to oblige anyone in my area in my capacity as a ~~dis~~reputable character.

hellymedic · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 May, 2011, 09:14:53 pm »

Medical practitioners have been struck off the Register for false passport countersignatures.
I have declined to sign photos for people I've not met IRL.

I'd love to help cyberfriends but those with a reputation or career to maintain should not be pressured into signing anything they do not believe to be true.

I can be a right PITA, which, unfortunately, is how things should be.

border-rider · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 May, 2011, 09:15:37 pm »

Quote from: pdm on 31 May, 2011, 09:05:45 pm

Interestingly, "Doctor" is not listed in the list of "suitable persons to act as a counter signatory".

Because it's just an honourary title for medics ?

TimO · « **Reply #15 on:** 31 May, 2011, 09:17:32 pm »

The last time I needed to do this, Civil Servant was one of the listed categories of acceptable people. Since I was working in the civil service at that time, I just got one of the bods at work to sign it ! (I easily had a couple of dozen people to choose from).

hellymedic · « **Reply #16 on:** 31 May, 2011, 09:32:44 pm »

I don't think you need to have photos countersigned if you have an old passport and your appearance has not changed much since your last photo.

Doosh · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 May, 2011, 09:46:40 pm »

First passport.

I think I'll chance the Doctors, I'm guessing it'll cost me.

Cyclops · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 May, 2011, 09:52:50 pm »

To further complicate things the counter-signatory has to have a valid UK Passport and enter their passport number on the form. As almost nobody can remember their passport number they'll have to route around at home for it.

I've seen people's applications rejected when I counter-signed for them after my passport had expired.

gonzo · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 May, 2011, 09:57:28 pm »

I once saw one required to buy a house that had only 3 allowable professions:
Doctor, lawyer or estate agent.

pdm · « **Reply #20 on:** 31 May, 2011, 10:01:25 pm »

Quote from: hellymedic on 31 May, 2011, 09:14:53 pm

Medical practitioners have been struck of the Register for false passport countersignatures.
I have declined to sign photos for people I've not met IRL.

I'd love to help cyberfriends but those with a reputation or career to maintain should not be pressured into signing anything they do not believe to be true.

I can be a right PITA, which, unfortunately, is how things should be.

Indeed that is true - no-one should countersign ANYTHING for someone they have not met and verified as to their identity. Other professions can also be "struck off" for doing that.

clarion · « **Reply #21 on:** 31 May, 2011, 10:11:14 pm »

GPs might sign. At our surgery, only one of the Partners now does, after the other one who used to became a victim of identity fraud, partly from misuse of her passport number.

It will cost, because it is asking a lot of them, and, as Helly has said, doctors have been struck off or reprimanded for signing for someone they did not know well enough.

nicknack · « **Reply #22 on:** 31 May, 2011, 11:37:38 pm »

Quote from: gonzo on 31 May, 2011, 09:57:28 pm

I once saw one required to buy a house that had only 3 allowable professions:
Doctor, lawyer or estate agent.

Surely shome mishtake?

border-rider · « **Reply #23 on:** 31 May, 2011, 11:40:26 pm »

estate agents. They're the 63783674^th emergency service.

Regulator · « **Reply #24 on:** 01 June, 2011, 12:26:14 pm »

Quote from: Mal Volio on 31 May, 2011, 09:15:37 pm

Quote from: pdm on 31 May, 2011, 09:05:45 pm
Interestingly, "Doctor" is not listed in the list of "suitable persons to act as a counter signatory".

Because it's just an honourary title for medics ?

I love winding the medics up with that one...

Author Topic: Passport countersignatory? (Read 19271 times)

Rapples

border-rider

gonzo

border-rider

gonzo

border-rider