We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Countersigning a child's passport
Comments
-
The declaration says that they have to have known *me* for two years and they have to be able to identify my children. I don't know if this means that they have to have met in person.
If it doesn't specify that they have to have met in person, and the countersignatory is comfortable that they can identify the child, then I'd go for it.Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks
On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon
And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning0 -
Well I've got a work colleague to do it. He's never met my kids but has known me for 4 years and has seen photos of them. Just hope that a software engineer with a PhD counts as a "professional"...If it doesn't specify that they have to have met in person, and the countersignatory is comfortable that they can identify the child, then I'd go for it.0 -
How would they know whether the signatory was a relative?
They regularly phone counter-signatories and question them as to how they know you, how long they've known you etc., Would your mother be willing to lie if they phoned her?Accept your past without regret, handle your present with confidence and face your future without fear0 -
Any person who works for the Local Authority can call themselves a Local Govt. Officer and is therefore eligible to countersign a passport for a friend. Even a newly recruited clerk in the Civil Service can sign.
I've signed for neighbours and friends (as has OH who is retired police officer).
There is a list here
I've only been rung once about a countersignature to verify the information. They told me it was just a random spot check.
~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
0 -
We're doing our daughter at the moment, and am really struggling to find a counter signature.
It says retired or current, does someone who left the profession but didn't retire count?
As a side you mention your mum, depending on when you were born you may have had to fill in the section 8 about grandparents as well.0 -
We're doing our daughter at the moment, and am really struggling to find a counter signature.
It says retired or current, does someone who left the profession but didn't retire count?
As a side you mention your mum, depending on when you were born you may have had to fill in the section 8 about grandparents as well.
Someone can title them self Ex Police Officer, they might ring to check but they have their passport number so will make a decision probably based on this.
It does say"a person of good standing in their community" so if you have residents association or neighbourhood watch a member of that will do. Neighbours and work colleagues should be able to help. Among my neighbours I have a retired lecturer, teacher. A nurse, a local govt. officer and a trade union official! So if you are a member of a trade union ask one of the reps!
When I was rung about a friend she wanted a different name on her passport and I signed the picture saying she was known to me as her original name. She had other evidence for name change so it was fine. ~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
0 -
Why not ask your children's teacher/Head Teacher? I've done hundreds over the years and I used to keep a copy of my passport number with me just in case. In any event you could leave it with them to give them time to fill it in. It's something that needs a bit of peace and quiet as it causes so much hassle if you make a mistake.
I have been called a few times by the Passport Office to check so I really wouldn't recommend using your mum OP.0 -
My best friend has done all four of my kids twice. She works in a school. I know she knows myself kids very well but am sure someone at the children's school will help?0
-
The person who countersigns the form must be able to give the name and address of the child and adult who signed the form if they are sent a copy of the photo. Doctors are no longer on the list as they can have thousands of patients and it highly unlikely, unless they see a patient on a regular basis, that they would know who they were just by looking at a photo.
All applications for children under 12 must be countersigned and if over 12 and can't be recognised from their old passport photo0 -
Doctors are no longer on the list
"The list" is only a list of examples, not an exhaustive list of suitable people. A doctor that knows the applicant socially would be perfectly fine as a countersignatory. Note that the guidelines do specify that the countersignatory must know the applicant personally, not just as a patient/client/etc.Let's settle this like gentlemen: armed with heavy sticks
On a rotating plate, with spikes like Flash Gordon
And you're Peter Duncan; I gave you fair warning0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.7K Spending & Discounts
- 246K Work, Benefits & Business
- 602K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.8K Life & Family
- 259.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards