Passports for Children

[pretty_snowdrop]

I need to renew my daughters passport and i have am problems finding who can countersign the application. The directgov website states the countersignatory should know the parent rather than the child, which is all well and good but the people i know who could countersign a passport couldn't certify the photographs as they don't know what my daughter looks like. I tried to phone the helpline but the line was busy. Any Ideas?

[chrissa1]

Just get it signed. Problem solved.

[boxtops]

Children's photos vary so much, a baby photo doesn't look like the child a year later. Take another photo with you if you think it will matter, so they can compare pictures.

[pretty_snowdrop]

directgov states i must get someone to countersign the app, which is easy enough. However they can't certify a true likeness of the photos because hey don't know her.

[boxtops]

^^ "take another photo with you"

[pretty_snowdrop]

Thanks Boxtops i had never thought of doing that (doh!).

[mandy22]

surely they are signing that the photo is a likeness to the child in question, so take your daughter with you when you ask them to sign, and they should be able to see its the same child??

[pretty_snowdrop]

Thanks for the idea22. The people who will countersign work with me and we are not allowed to take kids into work due to health and safety etc. I also live too far away for colleagues to call round to see her.

[ojread2]

Re newing suggest she is at least 5 - a teacher or her old nursery practitioner perhaps?

[sherrardk]

Your doctor can sign it (but will probably charge you).

[chrissa1]

Why can't you ask a neighbour? I don't understand your problem.

[pretty_snowdrop]

I can't ask a neighbour because either i haven't known them for 2 years or they don't qualify as countersignatories for passports.

[ichkeria]

I also don't understand the problem. You say you know people who could do it but they don't know what your daughter looks like. But surely that doesn't matter. They know you - which is what matters - and therefore know you aren't going to be trying to pull a fast one!

[DaisyNonna]

Just shows how stupid the powers that be are. Congratulations to you for trying to do the right thing.

[ojread2]

snowdrop - did you completely miss all the replies you have had telling you who can do it?
you have at least 3 choices of people who will be able to sign it

[pretty_snowdrop]

Thanks for your replies everyone.