Passports

[sprayer]

Can any body tell me, If I RENEW my passport does the new photo have to be countersigned by a ''professional'' and if so what should be written on the reverse side, also do I need a written declaration that the person who countersigns it knows me and if so how should it be worded ?

[Chappers]

I renewed my passport not long ago and I had to have it countersigned by a professional.

All the information is on the passport renewal form.

[factor-fiction]

It only needs countersigning if on your new photo you can't be recognised from your old photo.
Sounds a bit vague to me.
My son is renewing his. We think he can be recognised from his old photo but are not impartial so can't judge whether the passport office will agree. So to be on the safe side we will probably get it countersigned.

[factor-fiction]

Yes, the required wording for writing on the back of the photo is set out on the passport form/accompanying guidance

[sprayer]

Thank everybody, As I applied for renewal online and the forms have not arrived yet I didn't know the proceedure, so I will wait for them to turn up (I just thought I would be one step ahead and get it all done first, then it struck me that I may not need to for a renewal)

[munchie63]

if it's a straightforward renewal, and you have your old passport to send back, then you only need one of the 2 new pics signed if you're appearance has changed considerably.
don't worry about hair colour, glasses etc. passport control look at the shape of your face, ears etc to check appearance.

if signed, it needs to say I certify this is a true likeness of xxxxx(your full name) then they sign, and date the back of the pic. It's important that only 1 pic is signed.

The post office charge �6.85 to check and send passport forms...renewals should be back in 2 weeks

[Andyvon]

I agree with factor 30.

We took my step-daughter on holiday in March but we had to renew her passport as it ran out in 2003. She's 22 now but she got her last passport when she was 11. Her looks have changed considerably and I had to agree with the PO counter staff when they said it looked like a different person.

However, when I spoke to the Passport Office they said their inspector uses common sense as they know peoples' looks change. They said just send the unsigned picture in as it was a Renewal and if it was refused we would get our money back. As it was, we got the completed passport back in 6 days.

I think you only need to get the picture signed and attend an interview if it is a new passport rather than a renewal of an expired one.