Can't find anyone acceptable to countersign passport

CKhalvashi

Grumpy_chap said:

Develyan said:

I applied for a first adult passport about a month ago. I provided a referee who was on the list of recognised professions, but that was rejected on the basis that it was a professional, not personal, relationship. I tried a second referee, same problem. I have talked to people who have used GPs as referees, but the rules seem to have changed about what it means to 'know' someone. Both referees I asked were happy to help, and could easily confirm my identity. But it seems like the passport office is asking for something more like a combined identity/character reference. What do you do if you don't 'know' (by their definition) a suitable professional?

It seems as though the wrong box is being ticked somewhere.  Even a "professional" relationship works if it is a colleague:
https://www.gov.uk/confirm-identity-online-for-passport-application

All the referee does is to confirm you are who the photo shows and not much else - certainly not a character reference that involves really thinking by the referee.

I get this feeling too.

A number of my suppliers are owned by personal friends (or are companies friends work for), and a lot of professional relationships turn into personal relationships over many years.

martindow

There was a very long thread regarding the same issue several weeks ago.  It may be worth searching that out as there was a lot of advice given there.

Develyan

Thank you Martin, I will have a look for that thread. I didn't realise this was going to be a stressful experience. But I'm going to ask one more person. If that doesn't work, well I don't know. I feel like I'm trying to prove what they and I already know, and it's frustrating.

sheramber

The referee needs to know you as a friend, not as a professional. They need to be able to confirm the information you have put on the form.  A professional contact is not likely to be able to do that.

smudge56

If you know some one who is retired and over 70, they can countersign as long as they have a British passport.  It doesn’t matter what their profession is.

Develyan

Smudge: Yes, I saw that in one of the pdfs. I do have a retired neighbour who was a labourer, but he is not over 70. A lot of my neighbours also don't have passports. I know professionals, but they are either family or firmly in the 'not personally' box (according to the passport office). It is odd to be so known and yet have no way of proving it that they would accept. I'm thinking of cancelling the application altogether, or just letting them cancel it.

NoodleDoodleMan

This may sound OTT - but I know that if an MP makes an enquiry to a government body it will get quick attention.

May not get the answer you want of course.

I suggest you contact your MPs office and ask for assistance.

smudge56

Don’t cancel your application. It is really irrelevant who sign s your application as you will have to go for an identity interview anyway   If you hadn’t provided one at all you would not have been asked for one. 

You could email feedback@hmpo.gov.uk and explain that the people who can verify you know you professionally but as you will be going to interview to verify your identity it makes no difference how you know them.  The guidance actually does not specify that they can’t accept them for a first time adult application , only that they have answered the questions correctly.  

Develyan

NoodleDoodleMan: That's actually what my partner has been suggesting. I've just been resisting because I'm shy about that sort of thing. Indeed, my shyness is a lot of why I'm in this pickle. But I might have to go that route.

Smudge: That is interesting. If I have to be interviewed then it does seem bonkers to be looking for a referee. But I applied online and that is when they asked me to provide details of "someone to confirm my identity". Not only that, but for each of my rejections, they didn't actually say those refs had been rejected. They just sent the same automated email asking for someone to confirm my identity. I feel like I'm in Groundhog Day. The passport office now has two refs, plus my other ID docs that I sent when I applied. I'm wondering if just ignoring their latest request would be the way to go, and see what happens...