Passport Signatory
Hi,
I'm considering getting a passport to make future Universal Credit ID verification possible online.
Problem is, I'm struggling to think of someone who could be a passport signatory in my case. I've only just found out that I would need one as I've never had a passport before.
I've been effectively housebound for the past 5 years and wasn't exactly social before that. I haven't worked for over 10 years so don't have any colleagues. I don't have access to the health services due to my health conditions so don't know anyone there either.
I do have one or two online acquaintances, though I've never met them in person, so not sure that would be accepted? And I could still ask one or two that I did meet in person, but haven't seen for over 5 years and would feel very awkward contacting them for this now.
Just wondered if anyone else has struggled to find a signatory on here and who they asked in the end?
Thanks in advance
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Thanks but that's the page I've already read.
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Our church pastor countersigned mine (it could be any religious minister).
Our family friend (a registered nurse) countersigned my daughter’s.
I also vaguely remember my disabled neighbour getting hers countersigned at the local post office since she didn’t know anyone else who could.. maybe worth a try?
As mentioned in the official link posted by @noman, it can also be anyone from that list.
Best wishes with your passport application!
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Thank you. I still don't have anything like that though. I live alone, can't get to a post office, don't have any offline friends, not religious. I'm totally reliant on one older family member for shopping or post office needs now, but they don't have many friends either, and I haven't met any of them in more than a decade.
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@OverlyAnxious , I’m sorry to hear. I was only speaking from my experiences .In your case, it maybe worth contacting HMPO directly on
03002220000(number on gov.uk) and ask them how to proceed? There should surely be some easier way to get this issue sorted for disabled people in similar circumstances.? Best Wishes
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What about your dentist, provided you've got one.
Pharmacist
GPs don't do it anymore.
P.S it took me months to get one, as I moved to a new area where I don't know anyone.
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I am interested to hear your experiences, and anyone else's. Sorry if that didn't come across in the post.
I can't use phones at all so calling isn't an option for me.
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Thank you. I don't have a dentist either though. Need quite a bit of work done but physically can't even get to a dentist now. I made 4 attempts in 2019 while I still had some ability left, but even then I didn't get anywhere near the chair and that practice has since closed down.
A relative picks up my prescriptions, so the pharmacist doesn't know me personally.
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What about trying to approach your councillor(s) or MP, as May elections are coming up and it's the kind time when they try to play supportive angels of their constituents. They usually hold regular surgeries in the constituency. Take with yourself any paper that proves that you live in the constituency.
But you would need to get out of your place, as I don't think anyone would come to you to sign your application form for you.
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@OverlyAnxious , why don’t you try contacting HMPO directly through webchat or online enquiry form as stated in this link?
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That makes it sound like being housebound is a choice. I hate being trapped up here all day, every day. I wouldn't need the passport if I could still get to the Job Centre for the ID verification.
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Thank you. I hadn't seen the link for online enquiry form. I suspect they'll just copy & paste from the webpage I've already read but will give that a go now.
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I haven't said "being housebound is a choice", even though you haven't stated what makes you housebound. However, the truth is that unless you've got a social worker, nurse, etc who come to your place, I don't think anyone else would come to your place to sign your application form for you.
Guess what! It took me months to get my passport application signed while I was able to get out of my place 10 times a day if I wanted to.
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Great @OverlyAnxious!
Do keep us posted on any outcome in this thread.I’m sure it will be helpful to many others in similar situations.
Best wishes!
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Fair enough, perhaps I over reacted there, my apologies. Vertigo is the main thing that makes me housebound. It prevents me getting down & back up the stairs to my flat for most of the time. And means I cannot drive or travel in any vehicle at all, even when I can get down the stairs. I've lost probably 90% of my independence and quality of life since losing the ability to drive. If I had my choice, I'd have been bumped off half a decade ago instead of being forced to endure this existence until the natural end. Yet still the Job Centre expected me to attend their appointments several miles away.
As far as I'm aware no-one needs to sign a physical form nowadays. I just need to provide their email address and they can do their part online.
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The online form was very easy to use. And although it stated a 72 hour response time, I actually received a response within just a few hours.
Sadly they weren't particularly helpful, but it was a tailored response rather than just cut & paste so will give them some credit for that.
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Glad to hear that, @OverlyAnxious ! Were there any new suggestions mentioned for obtaining a passport counter signatory in similar situations that we haven’t discussed yet?
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Nothing new was suggested. They just confirmed who I couldn't use. I do have one idea though, so will let you know if that works out.
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Sure, thanks @OverlyAnxious . Best Wishes!
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