Passport Replacement Dilemma

Maverock

Hello all. I cannot find another area where this issue might relate, so I apologies in advance if this is the wrong place.


I plan to go on holiday in few months time but I am unable to locate my passport (though I suspect it has run out).
I have reported the fact to the passport people online and have been told I need to apply for a replacement one.


Fair enough.


However, it say's on the application form that I need a witness to confirm my identity, and there lies the problem.


A) the person cannot be a relative (I find this VERY odd)
It must be a person of one the following professions.


It then goes on to list the professions.


The problem I have is that I do not KNOW anyone in any of these professions!


I am sure when I have applied for passports in the past it has nevver been so difficult.


Has anyone any ideas as to how to move this forwards?


Thanks in advance.

elsien

The list is as an example, it's not exclusive.
Do you know anyone who works in a recognised profession and who is of good standing in the community?
I acted as signatory for staff when I was a care home manager - I'd got assorted recognised qualifications and a DBS which seemed to be sufficient.

You don't have to be friends, just someone whose known you for two years and can confirm you are who you say you are. What about neighbours, what do they do?

Maverock

Thank you Elsien,


Despite having lived here for over 32 years, I only know one person, and he is a retired writer.


In the past I could have used my local pub landlord, but unfortunately I have not been in for many years as I am retired now and practically t-total.

SPOWER

Not sure why you are asking this on CONSUMER RIGHTS.

There is another area here, "Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning" you could try there.

Maverock

Ok, thanks I'll re-post there.

Socajam

You don't have a GP or if you go to church, the Priest?

peachyprice

Your postman?
The person behind the counter at the post office?
Pharmacist?

Is there really nobody you come into contact with other than this writer? Is he published? it doesn't matter if he's retired.

waamo

Some GPs will do it for a fee.

davidmcn

Maverock wrote: »

I am sure when I have applied for passports in the past it has nevver been so difficult..

Whereas I'm sure that you've merely forgotten. Similar procedures have been in place for decades. Who previously certified your passport photo? Is there anyone from your past life who will remember you and be able to do it (old teachers, neighbours, friends of family etc)?

elsien

Local shopkeeper? If they've got a licence to sell alcohol then presumably they'd count as being of good standing to get the licence? (Krays aside.)
Local councillor? Residents association? I don't really know mine that well but I've shown up at enough meetings over the past few years that I'm sure that'd count.

You've gone 32 years without talking to anyone?

peachyprice

davidmcn wrote: »

Whereas I'm sure that you've merely forgotten. Similar procedures have been in place for decades. Who previously certified your passport photo? Is there anyone from your past life who will remember you and be able to do it (old teachers, neighbours, friends of family etc)?

Only the first issued passport would have needed a signatory, all renewals thereafter didn't, it's possible OP's parents applied for his first passport so he wouldn't have known anything about signatories, which may not even have been needed way back when. He only needs one now because he's replacing a LOST passport, not a straightforward renewal.