Who can countersign a UK Passport photo?

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I need a new passport double quick. I can get a guy to countersign the photo who fixes computers at the local school, or a guy who works for DEFRA - are either of these 'worthy' enough? My coworker is giving me the fear.

― Vic Fluro, Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I think it needs to be a doctor, policeman, dentist or local magistrate. Do you know any of these?

― C J (C J), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:52 (twenty-two years ago)

teacher too

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:52 (twenty-two years ago)

The guy from DEFRA can depending on his grade.

I could do it for you, but you're not in Bristol, are you?

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:53 (twenty-two years ago)

I thought it had changed recently to be a bit less restrictive. Perhaps the Passport Office website would be the best place to look.

x-post

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I will be in Bristol at the weekend. Maybe I could get Tharg to do it.

― Vic Fluro, Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:58 (twenty-two years ago)

CJ is right, it has to be a professional person. My boss can do it cos he is a qualified accountant. Doctors charge for this service.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:59 (twenty-two years ago)

The guy from defra will do - i got my former boss who's an EO in the DTI to sign mine.

― leigh (leigh), Thursday, 27 May 2004 10:59 (twenty-two years ago)

(Can someone explain this countersignature thing for an ignorant American?)

― sgs (sgs), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:00 (twenty-two years ago)

You have to get a signature on the back of your picture to say that you are who you claim to be, innit!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:01 (twenty-two years ago)

From the Passport Office:

ACCEPTABLE COUNTERSIGNATURES

* Accountant
* Articled Clerk of a Limited Company
* Assurance Agent of Recognised Company
* Bank/Building Society Official
* Barrister
* Broker
* Chairman/Director of Limited Company
* Chemist
* Chiropodist
* Christian Science Practitioner
* Commissioner of Oaths
* Councillor: Local or County
* Civil Servant (permanent)
* Dentist
* Engineer (with professional Qualifications)
* Fire Service Official
* Funeral Director
* Insurance agent (full time) of a recognised Company
* Journalist
* Justice of the Peace
* Legal Secretary (members and fellows of the Institute of legal secretaries)
* Local Government Officer
* Manager/Personnel Officer (of Limited Company)
* Member of Parliament
* Merchant Navy Officer
* Minister of a recognised religion
* Nurse (SRN and SEN)
* Officer of the armed services (Active or Retired)
* Optician
* Person with Honours (eg OBE MBE etc)
* Person with recognised qualification (eg BSc, PhD etc)
* 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 Agency (Qualified)
* Valuers and auctioneers (fellow and associate members of the incorporated society)
* Warrant officers and Chief Petty Officers

Or persons of similar standing to the above, working or retired, are acceptable as countersignatories.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Travel agents???!!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:02 (twenty-two years ago)

In which case Vic, if you bring it to the Comics Fest (I assume that's why you're in Bristol) I'll do it there for you. Mail me at home and we'll arrange something - or do it via the FLASH! thread on ILC.

― aldo_cowpat (aldo_cowpat), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Anyone with a degree, it seems.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Bsc? is that just a degree in a scientific field?

― Vic Fluro, Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:05 (twenty-two years ago)

* Person with recognised qualification (eg BSc, PhD etc)

so half the staff of McDonald's these days then

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:05 (twenty-two years ago)

xpost

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:06 (twenty-two years ago)

(Thanks Pink, I think in the US you apply in person at a passport office and they verify your ID there. But I can't remember for sure, it was a long time ago.)

x-post that is a long list. Sounds like many many people could sign it. I should be giving out my signatures. How does passport control (or whatever) know the signature is legit?

― sgs (sgs), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:07 (twenty-two years ago)

As a permanent civil servant i'd be able to sign your photo.

― leigh (leigh), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Thought it had to be someone who can confirm they know you? Can you just walk into LunnPoly and get the chick behind the desk to do it?

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:07 (twenty-two years ago)

So really, half the people I know could do it...

"Hey baby, sign the back of this and I'll make you a star..."

― Vic Fluro, Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:08 (twenty-two years ago)

i don't think they really care. xxpost

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:08 (twenty-two years ago)

this is very strange! so people have to have their photos signed, and the qualification of someone to recognize someone else is based on their profession? this seems really strange!

many xpost

― colette (a2lette), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I find it amusing that company directors are considered to be trustworthy - my daily work would tell me otherwise.

― leigh (leigh), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:09 (twenty-two years ago)

It means they can be trusted. You see nobody with any kind of qualifications is a criminal Colette!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:09 (twenty-two years ago)

i think the idea behind it is to make sure that the person signing it has something to lose if they're caught signing an unlegit photo. hence people who have "important" jobs or qualifications

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:09 (twenty-two years ago)

CLASSISM

― Be sure to Loop! Loop, Loop, Loop. (ex machina), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:09 (twenty-two years ago)

It was originally based on anachronistic ideas of 'reputable members of society'. It's now so diluted as to be pretty much pointless, as Ken implies.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:10 (twenty-two years ago)

It's farcical so it is. My boyfriend got his regional manager to sign his.

― Rumpy Pumpkin (rumpypumpkin), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:11 (twenty-two years ago)

I can sign it.

― ___ (___), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:13 (twenty-two years ago)

i guess me too (BSc baby)

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Chief Petty Officers

wtf is that?

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:16 (twenty-two years ago)

zoo keeper?

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Interesting that Christian Scientists can sign it. No mention of other 'practitioners'...

― sgs (sgs), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:17 (twenty-two years ago)

I've signed them for other people

― Vicky (Vicky), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Chief Petty Officers
a military rank, I'm guessing?

― sgs (sgs), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Chief Petty Officers
Naval ppl I think.

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:19 (twenty-two years ago)

I mean ppl in the navy as opposed to Captain Birdseye!

― Pinkpanther (Pinkpanther), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Interesting that Christian Scientists can sign it. No mention of other 'practitioners'...

Does 'practictioner' mean 'minister' or something in Christian Science?

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Indeed, exceptionally pedantic naval officers.

― ___ (___), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah I can sign them. I qualify under Trade Union Officer/ professional qualification/Manager

― Pete (Pete), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Funeral Director

Excuse me sir, I'm actually dead but I'd like a passport please.

― C J (C J), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:31 (twenty-two years ago)

pretty much anyone can

― Dave Stelfox (Dave Stelfox), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:32 (twenty-two years ago)

i've done it as a journalist - and we're scum

― Dave Stelfox (Dave Stelfox), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Chief Petty Officers

Equivalent to Sargaent Major on a Ship. Highest Rank of Naval NCO I think.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 27 May 2004 11:34 (twenty-two years ago)

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