Countersigning Passport Photos For Children

[newbie99]

What title should be used if the child is under 16?
Post office clerk says it is must be Master, but the Passport office says it should be just the name without any title.
Or should it be Mr?

[bookbinder]

Passport office staff are the ones who should know, so I'd go by what they say.

[ubasses]

I did my next door neighbours son and used his full name. It was processed without any problem.

[pixie374]

I have never used a title for a passport and there is no problem with that. In theory, he would be Master, if you want one.

[newbie99]

Thanks for the response...
It's so difficult to get anyone sign the photo now a day. I need to know the right friend with the right job.

[naomi24]

Your GP can do it - or a teacher perhaps?

[pixie374]

It is... and many professionals charge for it. If you don't know of anyone personally, a GP probably is the best bet

[pixie374]

Teachers at my local school aren't allowed to.

[naomi24]

GPs charge too. A teacher at the child's school could do it.

[naomi24]

Are they not, Pixie? Okay. Back to the GP then.

[retrocop]

I used to endorse people I knew well passport photos as a retired police officer. That was later stopped and it had only to serving officers. I was asked two weeks ago by a friend to endorse her passport renewal photo and told her I was no longer allowed to. Oh yes you are she says and produces the guidelines bumf. Another U turn. :-)

[pixie374]

Not here, they may be able to elsewhere. Yes, GPs will charge, but it will be accepted.

[naomi24]

Worth asking at the school then before asking the GP. They can only say yes or no.

[newbie99]

Dr's are no longer allowed to sign as stated in the gov website to stop people taking their time I guess. Don't think the teachers can do it as the class teacher don't really know the child more than 2 years.
I was speaking to a friend and he says these countersignature rules are before the poor only.
I first didn't understand what he was saying, now I can understand. He basically says if people are poor they may not know the right circles of friends with professional jobs and it would be difficult to get any one to sign. A form of discrimination I guess.

[pixie374]

Taking up doctor's time.... I spend at least an hour or so per week cancelling unwanted appointments for doctors and hospitals for my homecare clients.... and I doubt everyone always bothers. They seem to have plenty of time for people who have no intention, don't want, or don't need to see them.... but a rant for a different thread, I guess :-)

[ummmm]

Anyone who holds a licence with the council can sign them. Your local pub landlord, your local shop keeper.

[ichkeria]

The passport office staff are right.
I once used the passport checking service provided by the post office and they made a complete mess of it.
You don’t need a current professional to countersign. Our neighbour did ours and she’s a retired teacher of pretty humble means,

[Mamyalynne]

Does the child have a dentist?

[Neveracrossword]

A slight nuisance, problem, for the person countersigning is that they now have to provide full details - including the number - of their own passport.

[ichkeria]

That’s actually a good thing: it makes identity checking easier. And means effectively there is s much broader range of acceptable countersigners.
I must say I’d hope people weren’t making doctor appointments to get a passport form signed! You rarely should need to resort to that.

[Prudie]

I've looked at the gov.UK website and can understand your confusion, There is a big list of people who can sign it and it says this for the wording (as the post office told you suggesting the passport office is either wrong or the website is not up to date))
‘I certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name of adult or child who is getting the passport].’