What happens if you don't know someone to countersign your passport?

A family friend should be able to as long as they have professional standing. If you can't find anyone to do it, send a letter with your application explaining why you are unable to get a countersignature, and forward additional photographic ID such as driving licence.

How long do you have to know someone to countersign passport?

Who can sign your form and photo. Your countersignatory must: have known you (or the adult who signed the form if the passport is for a child under 16) for at least 2 years. be able to identify you, for example they're a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)

Who is a person of good standing in their community?

The definition of someone in good standing within the community is as follows 'A countersignatory must be a professional person or a person of similar standing, who enjoys a good reputation in the community, possesses credentials that can be checked, who would have something to lose by wrongly countersigning an ...

What details do you need for countersignature?

The person providing the countersignature needs to provide all of their contact details including their full address. This address can be from either a business or home, provided that person is reachable there. In Section 10 any mistakes made need to be accompanied by the initials.

What happens if you mess up your signature on your passport?

If you signed your passport incorrectly or there is a mistake in your signature, you may leave it if it is not too bad. If you think you need to change it, simply strike a single line through the mistake and sign the correct signature. If this is not good enough, you may need to apply for a replacement passport.

Who can countersign my passport application?

Do they check passport signature?

If HM Passport Office guidance tells you, the examiner, to check a signature is genuine you must compare the signature given in a letter or paper application form to the person's signature held in our records.

Is the signature on the passport important?

Before using a passport, the last, and most important, step a person needs to take is to sign it. A passport signature is essential as without it the document is not valid.

Can a friend countersign a passport?

They must be able to identify the person applying such as being a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows them professionally) They must be “a person of good standing in their community” or work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession - for example an accountant, a nurse or a social worker.

Do I need a countersignature for a passport renewal online?

Digital identity confirmation

In a significant development for HMPO, the new service removes the need for users to get the back of their photo signed by a friend or colleague (countersigning an application).

Why is countersign important?

Why is countersigning important? In the case where multiple parties are required to sign a document, if the document is not countersigned, it remains invalid. Countersigning is a way to indicate mutual consent to an agreement and means that all the parties involved in the contract agree to the set terms.

Do all passport applications need a countersignature?

Do you need a countersignature? The majority of people will be fine to submit their passport photos without a countersignature in the case of a renewal. However, there are occasions when you may need to enlist a person to authorise your identity.

What counts as a professional person?

What is a Professional? The term professional refers to anyone who earns their living from performing an activity that requires a certain level of education, skill, or training.

Who can be a person of standing?

Do you need both parents signatures for a passport UK?

Someone with parental responsibility for the child must apply for the passport. You need to give both parents' details when you apply. If you cannot provide the other parent's details, you need to say why (for example, you're the only parent named on the birth certificate or you adopted the child on your own).

What happens if passport photo is rejected UK?

f) Do you have to pay again if a British Passport photo gets rejected UK? There is a possibility you would lose your money if you don't submit by the date given for re-submission, and you would have to start again.

Who can countersign UK passport application?

You must be known to the counter signatory for at least 2 years. In the case of kids under 16 years the counter signatory must know the adult who signed for the child for over two years. The counter signatory should be able to identify you, not professionally but casually like a neighbour, a colleague, or a friend.

What supporting documents do I need for a UK passport renewal?

Once you have a British passport, the renewal is relatively easy, compared to getting a new passport for the first time. You won't need any documents to renew your passport digitally, but you will need a current photograph of yourself, a credit or debit card, and your current passport.

Can a teaching assistant countersign a passport?

Teachers and lecturers fall into this category, but Teaching Assistants are not able to sign a passport or other documents that require countersigning.

Can an electrician countersign a passport?

When applying for a new passport or renewing your old one, a professional individual must countersign your passport photo to verify your identity. Unfortunately, electricians are not included on the list of accepted professionals for countersignatures.

How long does it take for your passport to arrive?

The vast majority of all passport applications are being dealt with well within 10 weeks. However, a passport can only be issued once all the checks have been completed satisfactorily and will take longer if applications are submitted with missing or incomplete information.

Can I just change my signature?

A person is free to change a signature, and most people do alter the way they write their names between childhood and adulthood. But since there is no "legal signature," you don't need to know how to change your signature legally.

Is it OK to have two signatures?

Any mark you use that you intend as your signature is legally binding. You can use any variation you want as long as it is intended as your signature...

How can I verify someone's signature?

Signature verification usually requires watching someone write their name and checking it against a known sample of their signature. For example, the back of a credit card. Banks are very cautious about this and usually require a personal interview the first time.

Does it matter if I signed my passport in blue ink?

The new blue passports have replaced the red ones with millions being issued the new document since Brexit. This means that every blue passport holder must sign the document with a black ballpoint pen. On the Government website, it states: "Sign your new passport as soon as you get it. You can't use it until you do.

Is a signature proof of identity?

A signature (/ˈsɪɡnətʃər/; from Latin: signare, "to sign") is a handwritten (and often stylized) depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. The writer of a signature is a signatory or signer.