Potential Problems Verifying Identity for New Passport Application

theoretica

Neighbours? Friends of relative who know you by sight well enough to say your name and picture go together?

I don't think the list of professions matters too much, they are only examples - I am in a profession not on the list and have signed passports photos with no queries coming back.

Archergirl

I think you are overthinking here. have you filled in the form? Maybe go to the check and send in the post office and take it from there.Do you not have people you have known for more than 2 years? I'm sure they can sign for you if they are needed to. As long as they are reachable if necessary. 

jasonwatkins

theoretica said:

Neighbours? Friends of relative who know you by sight well enough to say your name and picture go together?

I don't think the list of professions matters too much, they are only examples - I am in a profession not on the list and have signed passports photos with no queries coming back.

Neighbours: No.
Friends of Relatives: No - for a myriad of reasons, I have no contact with my extended family outside of my mum and sister.

Archergirl said:

I think you are overthinking here. 

I wish I was.

Archergirl said:

I think you are overthinking here. have you filled in the form? Maybe go to the check and send in the post office and take it from there.Do you not have people you have known for more than 2 years? I'm sure they can sign for you if they are needed to. As long as they are reachable if necessary. 

I've made the application online and paid for it already.    The only people I've known for more than 2 years at this point in my life are my immediate family.

Archergirl

If you have made the application online and paid for it perhaps it's going through? Have they told you otherwise?
How can you not know anyone for more than 2 years it would include past employers and things like that I expect. Have you reinvented yourself?

jasonwatkins

Archergirl said:

If you have made the application online and paid for it perhaps it's going through? Have they told you otherwise?
How can you not know anyone for more than 2 years it would include past employers and things like that I expect. Have you reinvented yourself?

The online "portal", for want of a better word, tells you that before you can send in your paperwork (bank statements, council letters e.t.c..) you have to have your identity confirmed so I would say it's essentially "paused" rather than going through and it's pending my identity confirmation.

My last proper job was 20 years ago.   I remember because I started the job the day before 9/11 happened and was sacked by the Thursday of that week due to my ongoing medical problems.

I did know someone around 18 months ago.   I'd know him from school as well but he lost his father to Covid and, for reasons I'll likely never find out, he ultimately decided to cut contact with me.   45 years of friendship just switched off like a lightbulb.  

He probably would have done the verification, but since that avenue is closed there isn't really anyone else.    I don't really want to lose £75 quid though so I'll have to figure something out somehow.

PollyEsther

You say that you have ongoing medical problems.

So have you possibly been regularly collecting medication from a pharmacy? If so could you ask the pharmacist to countersign your application? They might well do so for a repeat customer whose medication details they have on record. 

jasonwatkins

PollyEsther said:

You say that you have ongoing medical problems.

So have you possibly been regularly collecting medication from a pharmacy? If so could you ask the pharmacist to countersign your application? They might well do so for a repeat customer whose medication details they have on record. 

Also doesn't work for me unfortunately.  My medical situation isn't something that requires constant supplies of anything.

Teapot55

What about the postman/ woman?

jasonwatkins

Teapot55 said:

What about the postman/ woman?

I think that only works in small villages where everyone knows everyone else

Ever since I finally addressed my debt situation, I don't get a lot of post nowadays anyway.   And I do the vast majority of my banking and bill paying online as well.

TELLIT01

Some years ago I countersigned some passport application photographs and nobody checked my 'credentials' for so doing.