[Yeah Yeah]

At the moment, I'm feeling pretty crushed because I've been saving up to go on a holiday I've always wanted to go on, next June.

Now, I have a passport, but when I was 17 (four years ago), it got damaged when it went into the washing machine. I guess now I'm suffering the consequences, because I was so irresponsible and careless then and I didn't know just how valuable a passport is.

So by next June, I need to get a replacement. Which is fair enough. But I need it to be countersigned, which is proving to be a pain.

ALL the sources, i.e. Dentist and Doctor, say 'they don't do it.' Which is fair enough, but the problem is that I don't know anyone who can do this for me!

Other passport countersigning posts always have a 'family of a friend' or neighbour to do it for them. I don't. There are people that COULD sign it for me, but I haven't known any of them for two years. My life in the last few years have been hectic, with transferring schools/moving homes, etc.

People are going to reply with 'have you got an x or a y that can do it for you?" But I don't. I've read the list, and I have no friends who are under those professions (They're all in uni)

There must be a way...I can't not go on this holiday... I AM a genuine British citizen

[Gogfumble]

edit - nevermind,

just read on the passport website that you need it countersigned if replacing a damaged passport.

2nd edit - How about your bank? How long have you been with them? If you take some ID (do you have a driving licence?) and your account details they might be able to do it for you.

[stud u like]

You just send the old passport back when you renew.

You don't need it to be countersigned.

[Charlie Coo]

It's not renewing it though is it - it's to replace a damaged one in which case you do need it countersigned - I've just looked on the website and there are sooooo many people you could ask - I know you say you don't know anyone as you've moved around (they also need to know you for at least 2 years) but what about a teacher from your old school or lecturer from uni or something like that - or a friend of your parents or something or director of a VAT reg company? Otherwise there is a number for the helpline which is below -


Your countersignatory should be a professional person or a person of good standing in the community. The list that follows gives examples of the type of person that would be suitable. If you are not sure who to ask you can call the IPS Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.

accountant
airline pilot
articled clerk of a limited company
assurance agent of recognised company
bank/building society official
barrister
chairman/director of limited company
chiropodist
commissioner of oaths
councillor (local or county)
civil servant (permanent), but not someone who works for IPS
dentist
director/manager of a VAT-registered charity
director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
engineer (with professional qualifications)
financial services intermediary (eg a stockbroker or insurance broker)
fire service official
funeral director
insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
journalist
Justice of the Peace
legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
licensee of public house
local government officer
manager/personnel officer (of a limited company)
member, associate or fellow of a professional body
Member of Parliament
Merchant Navy officer
minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
nurse (RGN and RMN)
officer of the armed services (active or retired)
optician
paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
person with honours (an OBE or MBE, for example)
pharmacist
photographer (professional)
police officer
Post Office official
president/secretary of a recognised organisation
Salvation Army officer
social worker
solicitor
surveyor
teacher, lecturer
trade union officer
travel agent (qualified)
valuer or auctioneer (fellows and associate members of the incorporated society)
Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers

[fifilapew]

You know it doesn't have to be a 'proffesional', I used to sign passports for people at work, when a was a retail manager.

I think the main thing is that the person is a UK passport holder, and has a fairly lonstanding job, I.e. they are traceable.

Hope this helps.

[Gogfumble]

Originally Posted by Charlie Coo

It's not renewing it though is it - it's to replace a damaged one in which case you do need it countersigned

You Do:

Do you need to get your application countersigned?

You need to get your application countersigned if you are applying:

• for a first passport
• to replace a lost stolen or damaged passport
• to renew a passport for a child aged 11 or under
• to renew a passport when your appearance has changed so much that it would be hard to recognise you from the photo in your last or current passport

From: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...tion/DG_174151

[Charlie Coo]

Originally Posted by Gogfumble

You Do:



From: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAn...tion/DG_174151

I know - that's what I said

[Geejaay]

Sorry, I'm going to reply with "have you got an x or a y that can do it for you?"!

C'mon...that list's massive, surely you can find someone off of it? As Charlie Coo said, how about a friend of your parents.

Do you or your parents go to church? Do you have a local pub that you spend time in - a pub landlord is on the list. It also mentions "someone of good standing in the community" - this could be, for example, a youth club leader, Guide leader etc etc.

If you genuinely can't find anyone on the list connected to you or your parents then I think you're just going to have to resign yourself to never being able to leave the UK, ever.

[Yeah Yeah]

Wow, thanks for the quick replies guys.

And yeah, I'm getting a replacement, not a renewal. So it does need to be countersigned. I'll try my local Natwest, but I don't go in there NEARLY enough to 'recognise' me, even despite the fact that I have had a bank account there for around seven years.

You know, the most annoying part of countersigning is that the countersigner has to put their personal info on the form. That's kind of awkward.

And even though the list is long, I really don't know people who qualify. And although as of this year, there's a handful of people that DO qualify, I doubt they would be willing to risk their job to lie about having known me for two years.

Thanks guys...=(

[Gogfumble]

Originally Posted by Charlie Coo

I know - that's what I said

Sorry, completely misread your post, thought it said do not.

Sorry!

[Camino]

why do they still have this counter signing part its so ridiculous, a travel agent? a publican? wtf?

[fainéant]

Originally Posted by Yeah Yeah

I doubt they would be willing to risk their job to lie about having known me for two years.

If they are doing it because of their job, e.g. bank or company director, then surely as long as you have been known to the bank or that company for two years and the counter-signatory can verify that, then the two year rule is satisfied.

[Galaxy266]

Your doctor will normally countersign a passport application for you. However, they certainly don't do it for free, they will charge you for doing it. Of course, things might have changed over the years and, these days, perhaps they might not even do it even if you're willing to pay them.

What about a teacher or college lecturer?

You only have to have someone who is prepared to say they have known you for at least two years. I believe that only under exceptional circumstances would this fact ever be tested.

[mirandashell]

Driving instructors can also countersign passports.

[lipgloss]

Surely your parents know someone in the civil service - someone who works for the jobcentre or tax office or local council, CSA, prison service..........

failing that your local vicar will usually do it for a fee.

[NathalieR]

I just got my work mate to do mine, I think I could have got any mate to do it really!

[mavis b sausage]

I got my vet to sign my daughter's application

[BatPie]

When you countersign what exactly are you signing for?

I thought it was just to sign that the photo was definitely the person in question or is the "signer" meant to check your details or anything?

And at risk of falling into the "how about this" category.... surely you or a family member has a friend whos known you and those people who knew you 2 years ago would be fine imo.

[kitty_koo]

Say to your doctor you'll pay if they sign it, will probably change their mind! Did with my doctor

[moza]

That really annoyed me when I applied for my first passport.

My boss, who had known me for 5 years, was ineligible to sign it, as he was "just" the manager of a bingo hall *licenced gaming premises*. But, I could have gone back to school, and got a teacher who hadn't seen me in 8 years to sign it. Official advice when I phoned to ask, btw.

Ended up a friend's dad, who was a chartered accountant signed it. That might be something to try.

[Yeah Yeah]

Doesn't anyone find anything wrong with the prospect of going back to say, your secondary school and asking a teacher after you've moved on? Randomly showing up/phoning "Hi, Mr.Green, will you countersign my passport?" I mean, REALLY.

I found someone. My therapist (Yeah, I have one), who I have an appointment with tomorrow. He has known me from under a year, but the first time I was at the centre was around two years ago when they put me on the waiting list.

Of course, he may be stingy and say no, because HE hasn't known me for two years. I'm a bit hot and cold as to whether I like him -- I think I like him, and tomorrow will be the decider.

If he says no, even though he has the RIGHT to say no and isn't obliged to do a favour for me, that's pretty mean -- when he knows that I'm a legit person. The main problem I can see with him doing it for me is the form says: "I have known x person for two years" and if he puts the "2 in, it is definitely a lie, even if I did go to the place 2 years ago. And even if the passport people don't investigate, he may see it as risky.

ARGH

[icefall]

The manager in our local post office who knew us all in our village, signed ours.

[carola carola]

Originally Posted by Yeah Yeah

Wow, thanks for the quick replies guys.

And yeah, I'm getting a replacement, not a renewal. So it does need to be countersigned. I'll try my local Natwest, but I don't go in there NEARLY enough to 'recognise' me, even despite the fact that I have had a bank account there for around seven years.

You know, the most annoying part of countersigning is that the countersigner has to put their personal info on the form. That's kind of awkward.

And even though the list is long, I really don't know people who qualify. And although as of this year, there's a handful of people that DO qualify, I doubt they would be willing to risk their job to lie about having known me for two years.

hanks guys...=(

When I got mine signed by a judge that I knew (cleaned his house for 10 years!) he also signed for both my children which was really handy, and to get round the awkwardness of him revealing his personal details and his own passport number etc I left the form with him to fill in and post off without me having to see it. (after I'd signed and dated it of course). I felt it was the respectful thing to do even though I already knew his address and phone number.

And they do check up on your counter signatures, one afternoon while I was working at his house the passport office phoned him just to confirm something about the dates as I had put the day before as my date and he had put the following day....apparently both signatures should always be done on the same date. But in the end it didn't seem to matter and after having a quick chat with him it was all sorted out and my passport came through really quickly.

I went to Cyprus for my first holiday and sent a postcard thanking him for making it all possible, and have since traveled to many places, and I will always be grateful for his time and effort in making it happen, even though it was about 20 years ago now!

I remember it being a stressful time as it's such an important document to have, hopefully your bank will do it for you, think positively you will get to go on your holiday! One of my sons friends was in a similar position last year, and I was able to sign it as a registered nurse, he was so relieved!

What about any parents of your friends who have known you for a few years...any that you have kept in contact with? And if you really get stuck I would phone the passport office and explain your dilema. Good luck!

[Yeah Yeah]

Thanks. My plan B for today is my therapist.

I was going to hold off buying the passport until February/March, which is closer to the date of the holiday (To allow me to save more), but this countersigning thing is bothering me so much that as soon as I'm able to get it countersigned, I'm sending off the application.

[Bedsit Bob]

Instead of replacing it, why not just renew it?

Provided your appearance hasn't changed, you won't need a counter signatory.