Passport countersignature & time frame help!

luisabyt99

Hi all,

I'm applying for my first adult passport soon (I'm 20.) and need help finding someone to sign it. The few people I've asked don't hold a current British passport (which it says on the website that you need sadly.) So it rules out my manager at work. However, I work in a betting shop and one of the women I work with, who has known me for a couple of years now has offered to sign it for me, she has a valid passport so I assume it should be fine? But I'm worried that the occupation isn't classed as a 'recognised profession' and I wouldn't want it to be rejected as it will take longer than it is doing right now.

Or in the case that doesn't work, i have a close friend who is a carer, would that potentially work?

 

Also is it worth it applying now? I'm not going on holiday until next February, but I've read that the waiting times for everything is super long, especially because i'll probably need a passport interview since it is my first adult passport? 

 

Thanks.

rev229

 Think it needs to be signed by the list of officials on the passport information. I think it can also be signed by the counter staff at the post office. 

Savvy_Sue

I've just checked, and it says: 

Your countersignatory must either:

• work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
• be ‘a person of good standing in their community’

So either your colleague or your carer friend should be OK, IMO, on the basis that they (almost certainly) fit the bill as being 'of good standing'. 

It doesn't say anything about getting your ID checked at the Post Office - you can do that for some things, but not passports. 

I'd apply as soon as you can. I was dithering about how soon to renew mine, especially now that any time left on the old passport isn't added to the new one. A dear friend kindly reminded me that at my age, there was little point waiting, because it wasn't as if I was going to save a later renewal: I won't live long enough to renew it many more times! 

And really, the same is true for you youngsters: if you renew it at 9 years and 6 months, you're really not likely to have to renew it many more times in your lifetime than if you leave it until closer to 10 years! I don't know if that makes sense

maman

I don't think there's an exhaustive list of professions that can countersign passports any longer. I'd certainly go with the carer. If there is a problem, there's plenty of time to sort it out.

I think what the Post Office is a checking procedure where (for a fee) they'll look through the form for any obvious errors ike he signature being outside the box. ☹

unholyangel

A countersignature must be a person who enjoys a good reputation in the community, possesses a current British passport and has credentials that can be checked, and who would have something to lose by wrongly countersigning an application. For logistical reasons it is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of all professions and organisations where persons holding a responsible position are acceptable to verify passport applications.

While there is no qualification for a "person of similar standing" this may be interpreted in the widest sense, but it must always be borne in mind that a countersignature should normally be someone who:
• has qualifications that can be checked; and,
• it is believed will not risk a career or reputation by knowingly making an untrue statement in completing the countersigning section of an application form.

Gov guidance on countersigning.

ElephantBoy57

luisabyt99 said:

Hi all,

I'm applying for my first adult passport soon (I'm 20.) and need help finding someone to sign it. The few people I've asked don't hold a current British passport (which it says on the website that you need sadly.)

Try your local councillor?

northwalesd

I've signed plenty of passport applications, I/my job am not on any list of 'recognised professions', however I would consider myself to be 'of good standing'.

maman

ElephantBoy57 said:

luisabyt99 said:

Hi all,

I'm applying for my first adult passport soon (I'm 20.) and need help finding someone to sign it. The few people I've asked don't hold a current British passport (which it says on the website that you need sadly.)

Try your local councillor?

The countersignatory has to know the person.

Mrs_Ryan

I would definitely ask your carer friend. I think it’s the case that if the person would stand to have something to lose from a fraud conviction then that’s okay for them to sign. I signed my colleague’s daughter’s passport application when I was an NHS HCA and that was fine. 

MalMonroe

Hi, I think you're right to apply now. 
There's loads of information on this page : https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications/accepted-occupations-for-countersignatories

I think all your questions will be answered if you click on it, it's the Government's own page so it must be right! 

Good luck. I'm sure you'll be fine.

MalMonroe

maman said:

I don't think there's an exhaustive list of professions that can countersign passports any longer. I'd certainly go with the carer. If there is a problem, there's plenty of time to sort it out.

I think what the Post Office is a checking procedure where (for a fee) they'll look through the form for any obvious errors ike he signature being outside the box. ☹

Yes there is such a list, it's on the UK Government's current passport application guidance page.