Applying for a new or renewed passport? If so, you may need to get new passport photos and have your form signed by a qualified individual. But who exactly can sign these documents? Whether you’re applying for yourself or your child, this guide provides all the information you need to keep your passport application on track?
Here we look at all the information you need to get your passport application back on track. Here’s the easy-to-follow guide you’ll need.
Find out who can and can’t sign your passport photoimage credit
When do I need to get my passport photo and form, or those of children, signed?
You’ll need to get two passport photos and your form signed if you’re applying via a physical application and fall under the following categories…
- 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 can’t be recognised from your existing passport
Who can sign my passport photos and form?
Firstly, your countersignatory must meet these basic criteria:
1) Have known you (or the adult who signed the form if applying for a child) for at least 2 years
2) Be able to identify the applicant, either as a friend, neighbour, or colleague (they should know you personally, not just professionally)
3) Be a person of good standing in the community or work in (or be retired from) a recognized profession. See below.
If you’re applying in the UK the countersignatory must:
1) Live in the UK
2) Have a current British or Irish passport
Criteria for countersignatories based in the UK vs. outside the UK:
Note: Some passport applications may now offer a faster digital processing option that may reduce the need for a countersignature. Check your country’s passport guidelines for more details.
Recognised professions
Choose a person working in or retired from one of the following professions sign your photos (they must also satisfy the criteria listed above).
- Chartered or Certified Accountant
- Airline Pilot
- Trainee Solicitor or Legal Executive (formerly articled clerk)
- Assurance/Insurance Agent with Recognised Professional Qualification
- Banking or Building Society Professional
- Barrister
- Chairperson or Director of a Limited Company
- Chiropodist/Podiatrist – Registered with a Professional Body
- Commissioner for Oaths
- Elected Councillor (local, county, or city)
- Permanent Civil Servant
- Dentist – Registered with General Dental Council (GDC) or equivalent
- Director/Manager/HR Professional of a VAT-Registered Company
- Chartered or Professionally Registered Engineer
- Financial Services Intermediary (e.g., stockbroker, insurance broker) – Professionally Qualified
- Fire Service Official
- Funeral Director – Member of a Professional Association
- Full-Time Insurance Agent – Professionally Accredited
- Journalist – Member of a Recognised Professional Body (e.g., NUJ)
- 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
- Member, Associate, or Fellow of a Professional Body
- Member of Parliament
- Merchant Navy Officer
- Minister of a Recognised Religion (including Christian Science)
- Registered Nurse (RGN, RMN, or equivalent)
- Commissioned Officer in the Armed Forces
- Optician – Registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) or equivalent
- Paralegal (Certified Paralegal, Qualified Paralegal, or Associate Member of the Institute of Paralegals)
- Person with Honours (e.g., OBE, MBE)
- **Pharmacist – Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or equivalent)
- Professional Photographer
- Police Officer (serving or retired)
- Post Office Official
- President or Secretary of a Recognised Organisation
- Salvation Army Officer
- Social Worker – Registered with a Professional Body (e.g., HCPC)
- Solicitor – Registered with the Law Society or equivalent
- Chartered or Registered Surveyor
- Teacher or Lecturer – Qualified with Professional Body Registration (e.g., QTS, HEA)
- Trade Union Officer
- Qualified Travel Agent
- Valuer or Auctioneer – Fellow or Associate Member of a Recognised Professional Body
- Warrant Officer or Chief Petty Officer
- Chartered IT Professional (CITP) or equivalent
- Architect – Registered with a Professional Body (e.g., ARB)
- Veterinarian – Registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) or equivalent
- Charity Executive/Professional (senior roles in recognised charities)
Who can’t sign my photos?
While doctors generally are not allowed to sign, they may do so if they know you personally (e.g., as a close friend) and can easily identify you from the photograph.
Your countersignatory can’t:
Work for HM Passport Office
Be a doctor, unless they state that they know you well (eg good friend) and that they recognise you easily from your photo.
What else do I need to know?
It’s important to ensure your countersignatory is reachable during the passport processing period, as the HM Passport Office may contact them for additional verification. If they’re unavailable (on holiday, for instance), this could delay the process.
No. The person signing photos cannot be:
Related by birth or marriage
Be in a relationship with or live at the same address as the person applying.
He or she must write the following on the reverse of one of the two photographs you have.
‘I certify that this is a true likeness of [title and full name of adult or child who is getting the passport].’
They must then sign and date the photo underneath the statement.
The person who signs your form and photo could be contacted by HM Passport Office for additional information. The process could be delayed if they’re not available – on holiday for example.