Passport Counter Signatory

[MDWCT2018]

Is it just me or does anybody else just dread having their passport countersigned? The list of who cannot countersign is so extensive that there is such a small margin of who can. I have been turned down by three different people this week alone and I've now had to move my interview to a later date. The first was because this private dermatologist had only known me for one year, as opposed to 2 years. I'm a little bit miffed about it because most people exert a little bit of discretion in these matters. Also he has photographs of me on file, my full address, medical history etc. The next was my GP because apparently now GPs do not countersign passports and lastly, my dentist who very kindly did agree to do so but unfortunately does not have a British passport.
I am not in gainful employment, and am distance learning. I could approach friends but I don't know if they would meet the criteria and also I feel very uncomfortable asking friends for favours of these sorts. From memory the last time I had my passport countersigned I paid a fee of something like £30 for my GPs time countersigning it.
Anyone else have difficulties with countersignatories or am I tackling this the wrong way?I find the whole experience so humiliating .

[goodgoalie]

Why do you need it countersigned - is it your first adult passport, or replacing a lost, stolen or damaged one?

[davebro]

they won't check that the countersigner meets all the conditions - just ask anyone.

[goodgoalie]

You can ask a friend, neighbour or colleague:
https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

[Old_Geezer]

It is ridiculous, but I only recall going through it the first time.

[barry1010]

It can be anyone of good standing (no criminal record) who has known you personally for at least two years. They don't have to work in a recognised profession. A friend, neighbour, hairdresser - anyone who can look at a photo and know who you are by name.
They must also hold a British passport.

[archibaldy]

I get my next door neighbour to countersign things I need doing. I don't really know know them that well, apart from saying hello and a brief chat every now and then if we see each other in passing, but they know my name and could identify me and I'm pretty sure that's all that matters.

[barry1010]

Why am I deluded, Paignton?

[OldChestNuts]

The Passport office do performs checks. Last I did one for my friend's child first passport. The passport office written to my work place for me to confirm who I am and also confirm the passport application.

[barry1010]

I wonder if your friend had countersigned for several people in a relatively short time, OldChestNuts. That can set off a trigger

[Peter Pedant]

They never try to validate the 'co-signatories'
er
they do. have done. rang me at work.
BUT I was also on a list of 'good chaps' and they did once ( are you, you?) and even as a retired 'good chap' it seems to work.

people wivva long memory - remember Cecil Mulvena ?( hey foo it lucky he not John Smiff innit?) He was the business man who countersigned the passport for George Blake 1966. Yes the escaped Russian spy who was sprung by the IRA out of Wormwood Scrubs who had betrayed ( and killed) 32 British agents.

two and half years in prizz
take this seriously

[carrot99]

Paigntonian I've countersigned a few passport application forms and was phoned by the passport office on one occasion many years ago. I doubt they'd bother now that you can get anyone to do it and don't need a dentist or vicar etc.

[Buenchico]

Are you sure that you actually need a counter-signatory? Most people don't. From what you've written in your post, it's clearly not your first passport. You've also made no reference to losing your old passport or to having had it stolen or getting it damaged. So, unless your facial features have changed so dramatically that your new photo can't be recognised as an updated version of your old one, I can't see why you'd need a counter-signatory at all.

https://www.gov.uk/countersigning-passport-applications

I most definitely didn't need a counter-signatory when I renewed my passport last year. I just had a photo taken in one of the newer booths, that give you a reference number with your prints, completed the online form in a few clicks (including the photo reference number), authorised the payment and then sent my old passport back when asked to. It was all very simple.

[Peter Pedant]

1967 - caused me to read Law at uni

The case was R v Cecil Mulvena in 1966-1967 and contemporaneous
media and Hansard coverage show: a DCI, later
Commander MPSB 1971-1976) was the or a lead detective on the case; Mr Mulvena had obtained the birth certificate of a dying disabled man - John Foreman - and used it to obtain a passport for a contact in the “Russian trade delegation” called “Sergei” (George Blake that is! ); Mr Mulvena pleaded guilty to two offences under
the Official Secrets Acts and was sentenced to four years imprisonment by Mr Justice Chapman at Essex Assizes sitting at Chelmsford; and The Times ran a post-conviction editorial piece on 28 January 1967, “‘Valid’ Passports for Agents: Mulvena Case Exposes the Loopholes”

That quote was from UCPI - UC pee? I hear you whine? - UnderCover Policing Inquiry, the one where undercover police bonk Greenham women and give them babies and then scoot off. So other people have v v v long memories

[barry1010]

The only people who can't countersign are wrong 'uns , family members, people you are in a relationship with or live at your address.

[Paigntonian]

Barry: was referring to the original question. Apologies. Also, how can the questioner 'dread' having their passport counter-signed when you only have to do every ten/twenty years? Must be awful waking up every morning worrying that you might have to renew your passport in nine years' time. Unbelievable. Need to go now. Concerned that my garage roof might degrade in 2049.

[Redhelen72]

Isn’t a signatory required if your appearance changed significantly since your last one?
Recently did my husband’s online and no details were requested

[Paigntonian]

Carrot: My point entirely.

[Paigntonian]

Pedant: 1967. Get it?