Countersigning passport applications and photos

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1. When you must get a signature and who can sign

Some paper passport applications and photos must be signed by someone else (the 鈥榗ountersignatory鈥�) to prove the identity of the person applying.

You must get your paper form and one of your 2 print photos signed if you鈥檙e applying for a:

  • first adult passport
  • first child passport
  • replacement for a lost, stolen or damaged passport
  • renewal of a passport for a child aged 11 or under
  • renewal of a passport if your appearance has changed and you cannot be recognised from your existing 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鈥檙e a friend, neighbour or colleague (not just someone who knows you professionally)
  • be 鈥榓 person of good standing in their community鈥� or work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession

Who cannot be your countersignatory

You cannot ask someone to countersign your passport if you鈥檙e:

  • related to them by birth or marriage
  • in a relationship with or live at the same address as them

If you鈥檙e applying in the UK

Your countersignatory must:

  • live in the UK
  • have a current British or Irish passport

If you鈥檙e applying outside the UK

Your countersignatory must have a current British, Irish or other EU, US or Commonwealth passport.

If they have a US, Commonwealth, or non-British or non-Irish EU passport, you must include with your application a colour photocopy of the page with their photograph on it.

Your application will be processed faster if they have a British or Irish passport.

What the countersignatory must do with your form

After you鈥檝e filled in the form, your countersignatory must check the details are correct and sign it.

By signing it they are confirming that:

  • they鈥檝e known you for more than 2 years
  • you鈥檙e who you claim to be
  • as far as they know, all the information you鈥檝e put on the form is true

Your countersignatory must put their passport number on the form.

What your countersignatory must write on your photo

Your countersignatory should write the following on the back of one photo:

鈥業 certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name of adult or child who is getting the passport].鈥�

They must add their signature and the date under the statement.

You do not have to sign or date the photos yourself.

What the countersignatory can expect

Your countersignatory may be contacted by HM Passport Office for more information. Your application may be delayed if they鈥檙e not available, for example they鈥檙e on holiday.

2. Accepted occupations for countersignatories

Your countersignatory must either:

  • work in (or be retired from) a recognised profession
  • be 鈥榓 person of good standing in their community鈥�

Recognised professions

Examples of recognised professions include:

  • accountant
  • airline pilot
  • articled clerk of a limited company
  • assurance agent of recognised company
  • bank or building society official
  • barrister
  • chairman or director of a limited company
  • chiropodist
  • commissioner for oaths
  • councillor, for example local or county
  • civil servant (permanent)
  • dentist
  • director, manager or personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
  • engineer with professional qualifications
  • financial services intermediary, for example 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 a public house
  • local government officer
  • manager or 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 or RMN)
  • officer of the armed services
  • optician
  • paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
  • person with honours, for example an OBE or MBE
  • pharmacist
  • photographer (professional)
  • police officer
  • Post Office official
  • president or secretary of a recognised organisation
  • Salvation Army officer
  • social worker
  • solicitor
  • surveyor
  • teacher or lecturer
  • trade union officer
  • travel agent (qualified)
  • valuer or auctioneer (fellow or associate members of the incorporated society)
  • Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers

Professions that are not accepted

Your countersignatory cannot:

  • work for HM Passport Office
  • be a doctor, unless they state that they know you well (for example they鈥檙e a good friend) and that they recognise you easily from your photo

You鈥檒l be asked to find someone else if your countersignatory does not meet the requirements.

It鈥檚 a criminal offence to make a false declaration on a passport application.

If you鈥檙e not sure who to ask to be your countersignatory

Call the Passport Adviceline.