Money Moral Dilemma: Should I charge for countersigning my friends' passport photos?

Greyfield

No. Despite your expectations, you will not be plagued by people who want you to do this. As a former Councillor and now Hon Alderman, I am infrequently asked to do this by friends, and do so willingly. Professionals like GPs often charge as part of their income - unfairly in my view - but ethically they do have a right to do so. You don’t. If you do succumb. To temptation, expect a) to lose friends b) to tell the taxman. If this concerns you, don’t do it.

trix-a-belle

No you shouldn't charge but I'd hope that your friends are coming to you (rather than you travelling) to get the stuff signed and/or showing their appreciation for the favour.
I've got a friend who is a solicitor who signed some proof of ID docs for some bank stuff for me, I made dinner as a thank you and gave her a bottle of wine as I knew she didn't have to do it so appreciated her agreeing to.

iaj101

You should charge £20 per person. That way they are still getting a great deal for your time as it’s still half the price of anyone else- they will have to pay you as they will be getting a bargain and maybe you’ll be able to go on holiday or something. Make sure you tell all the other people that you won’t be available to sign any passport forms that week else you’ll have lots of disappointed customers and that is bad for business. Make sure you get them to sign something to say they’ll pay you the money because I had this problem before. By the way, if you say you’re charging them for a signature first make sure they aren’t charging you more for theirs else you will be out of pocket- I am speaking from experience here.
You have to be smart about it but it can be a great little earner- good luck in your endeavours!

Heo2

He has become a policemen and wants to charge for signing a few photos that says it all, reads as though he is morally bankrupt before he has even got his feet under the table!!!
On another note, I don't believe you have to be a doctor, policemen etc as I have been signing passport forms/photos for years having held a passport for a great many years is enough as never has a third party application be rejected.

paul_k

who needs friends like you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sign it free ,better still tell them to get better friends as you sure are not one !

euronorris

No, I would not (and do not), charge friends for 5 minutes of my time. It's not even pen ink anymore. Can all be done online (my colleague countersigned my DDs passport earlier this year and it was all online).


This just sounds like someone trying to make extra cash from their mates! Fast way to lose mates, as far as I can tell!

Oldangrumpy

Good to have friends who ask you. Great to have a job that gives you this status. I never charged when I was working, just was glad to help.
Remember, what goes around comes around. You may be glad of "free" help one day

gettingtheresometime

JReacher1 wrote: »

Let’s be honest the passport service never check who has countersigned a passport photo. They don’t have the resource and have more important things to worry about.

I got a telephone call once regarding a passport application that I'd signed but admittedly that was a good ten years ago

newwiseman

Certainly not. Unbelievable that you would even think of charging for a personal favour.

fliss2147

You say that they are friends that are asking you to countersign as you are a police officer. You should not charge if they are your friends - I have signed a few in my time! Things to consider if you charge - you would have to report your extra income to HMRC and pay tax on it, you also have to apply for second occupation and get permission from your force as it could be considered as such if you are getting paid for this!:(