Nobody to sign passport photos, anyway out of it

brianposter

Even the Passport Office has published a list of adjustments.

https://www.gov.uk/passport-services-disabled

NoodleDoodleMan

The above offers a solution (perhaps) to the OP's problem.

la531983

NoodleDoodleMan said:

The above offers a solution (perhaps) to the OP's problem.

Im not sure it does, those adjustments are regarding the actual photo itself, not the ID verification of it. For example a disabled person may not be able to have their "eyes open and visible" if the nature of their disability causes an issue with complying with that.

Get a passport photo: Digital photos - GOV.UK

"Being a hermit" isnt a) something restricted to only disabled people, and b) isnt going to be an acceptable reason.

brianposter

NoodleDoodleMan said:

The above offers a solution (perhaps) to the OP's problem.

Unfortunately the ignorant and unhelpful posts on this thread appear to have persuaded the OP not to return.

jimi_man

brianposter said:

NoodleDoodleMan said:

The above offers a solution (perhaps) to the OP's problem.

Unfortunately the ignorant and unhelpful posts on this thread appear to have persuaded the OP not to return.

I don’t agree. A lot of people on this thread (me included) have tried at length to offer solutions to the OP. I will be honest and say that trying to get any information out of the OP was extremely difficult which didn’t help, but within the confines of that, a range of solutions have been offered - including possible methods of getting to know people so as to be able to use them to apply for a passport in two years time. 

These are the rules as they stand at the moment. They have been relaxed over the years as I recall that one had to do this every time rather than just on initial application as now although my memory is a little hazy. 

However the blunt truth is that if someone can’t satisfy the requirements then they won’t be able to apply and there is little point in sugar coating the truth by saying otherwise. Writing to the local MP is not going to assist the process - it’s an ID verification check so there aren’t ways round it for obvious reasons. It might trigger something so I guess it might be worth a shot but I doubt it. Still at a cost of a stamp there isn’t much to lose. 

I don’t know if the OP will return but I hope they will be taking on board some of the suggestions and join some sort of group where they can get to know a few people who might be able to assist the process in the future. This seems to me to be the easiest way to achieve their hope of foreign travel. 

brianposter

"If you have a disability that means you cannot meet the passport photo rules, give details in your application and send evidence."

Is the above sentence difficult to understand ?

user1977

brianposter said:

"If you have a disability that means you cannot meet the passport photo rules, give details in your application and send evidence."

Is the above sentence difficult to understand ?

Apparently yes, if you think it means anything other than the visual content of the photo.

Kim_13

I would try writing to the MP, stating who you do know and explaining why you think those people do not qualify. The MP may be of the opinion that one of the persons mentioned should qualify, and advise you to try it (if you follow the MPs advice it’s not like you can get into trouble if the Passport Office won’t accept it) or push for change if your situation demonstrates to them that the rules are unfairly restrictive.

In this day and age there ought to be an alternative provided that the individual can evidence that they are who they say they are; a passport can be used to get a driving licence, but not the other way around. Blue Badges and bus passes have a photo on so a council were obviously satisfied that there was sufficient proof that the person was who they said they were to issue them.

I had a child passport but as the person who signed it has since died, I would also be struggling if I could not send that to the Passport Office and have an adult one issued were the need to arise. I know sole traders but unless they are VAT registered, they can’t sign (to my knowledge, they’re not.) I know some company directors, but as they are related to me, they aren’t eligible either. An old school friend is in a required profession but stayed in their university town. It’s very easy to fall through the cracks of what some will see as an extensive list. 

The must never have been bankrupt criterion wouldn’t bother me at all - if you ask someone, it would be up to them to say if they thought they did not qualify. Anyone who did not want to admit to having been bankrupt could just say that they do not wish to be a signatory for anyone - then it wouldn’t seem personal either.

Emmia

Kim_13 said:

I would try writing to the MP, stating who you do know and explaining why you think those people do not qualify. The MP may be of the opinion that one of the persons mentioned should qualify, and advise you to try it (if you follow the MPs advice it’s not like you can get into trouble if the Passport Office won’t accept it) or push for change if your situation demonstrates to them that the rules are unfairly restrictive.

In this day and age there ought to be an alternative provided that the individual can evidence that they are who they say they are; a passport can be used to get a driving licence, but not the other way around. Blue Badges and bus passes have a photo on so a council were obviously satisfied that there was sufficient proof that the person was who they said they were to issue them.

I had a child passport but as the person who signed it has since died, I would also be struggling if I could not send that to the Passport Office and have an adult one issued were the need to arise. I know sole traders but unless they are VAT registered, they can’t sign (to my knowledge, they’re not.) I know some company directors, but as they are related to me, they aren’t eligible either. An old school friend is in a required profession but stayed in their university town. It’s very easy to fall through the cracks of what some will see as an extensive list. 

The must never have been bankrupt criterion wouldn’t bother me at all - if you ask someone, it would be up to them to say if they thought they did not qualify. Anyone who did not want to admit to having been bankrupt could just say that they do not wish to be a signatory for anyone - then it wouldn’t seem personal either.

But bus passes, blue badges and driving licences, aren't valid for international travel. The risk of people not being who they say they are is much lower. Given that a passport is effectively the document that demonstrates someone's citizenship, the rules are, and must be tighter - to prevent fraud.

la531983

brianposter said:

"If you have a disability that means you cannot meet the passport photo rules, give details in your application and send evidence."

Is the above sentence difficult to understand ?

You seem to be misunderstanding it. "Not having a wide social circle" has absolutely bob all to do with being disabled.