Passport renewal question

tiamaria

Hi, My sons are now 19 and 16. They have their own (child)passports which are soon to expire. This will be their 1st adult passports. It is unclear on the information leaflet whether they will need a countersignatory or not?

1st adult passport = yes you do
passport renewal = no you don't

It fits both those categories:rolleyes:

Can anyone advise please?

stw48

The short answer I believe is yes they will need a countersignatory.

There is I believe another criteria of needing one if their appearence has changed significantly, which I guess is inevitable at their ages at the end of 5 year passports.

Better safe than sorry anyway.

tiamaria

Thanks - how annoying though, got to find someone suitable who won't charge and who isn't a relative *sigh* !

Alikay

I've just renewed the passports for my sons (age 14 and 17). They didn't need a counter signature. I did the renewal online (well, partly online - the online forms actually generate paper forms which are mailed to you for further completion!) and the new passports came just 5 days after posting the forms, photos and payment....was well impressed!

tiamaria

ooh thanks, that sounds promising especially with the 17yr old, being his 1st adult passport.

I've completed most of the forms, just need some photos and if I don't need a signatory then I can crack on with it.

shirlgirl2004

Yes a friend and I were discussing this yesterday because her son's friend hadn't needed to get the signed photo. As she pointed out her son looks very different now but she's not complaining.

spiro

You will see another post on this furom were someone took the form to the Post Office were they check the form. They advise the person that their apperance had changed enought to require the photo to be signed. If you ignore the fact that your boys appearance has changed a lot passport control my query it being a new passport that doesn't look like the person. In my view its not worth the potential hassle, get it signed. If you follow this link you find loads of people can do it:

http://www.ips.gov.uk/passport/apply-countersign.asp

The_One_Who

I was talking about this the other day with a friend. She phoned the passport people and they said that she only had to send a new photo, but didn't need it to be countersigned. She's got her new passport back and everything is fine.

tiamaria

Thanks for the replies -looks like a split jury

Shame they don't make things clear on the forms - all rather vague:rolleyes:

jscalow

If you call the passport helpline number they will be able to advise you, they are really helpful.

bagand96

I agree, the passport advice line will be able to help you, they are very helpful and UK based, always been able to speak to them quickly as well. Think there is a number on saynoto0870 as well.

I'd read it as they DO need a countersignature. It clearly says first adult passport does need a countersignature. I don't think they count child - adult as being a renewal, it is a first adult passport.

Regards people charging, teacher's are classed as professional, and I've never known one charge!