Cockneykiwi

Hi,
We are renewing our children's UK passports but we are having trouble finding someone who is able to countersign their photos in Australia. One option I was considering is to complete the forms as far as possible then send them to a friend in the UK who is qualified to countersign their photos. Then they send them to HMPO from there.
Can anyone see a problem with this?
Also, has anyone had to attend an interview because their photo does not match their old passport pic?

Thanks for your help.

Pulaski

For straight renewals you don't need a counter-signature on the pictures.

Cockneykiwi

I thought because my kids have grown and are now unrecognisable from their original passport photos that the new photos would have to be countersigned as proof that they are the person in the application?

kimilseung

Are they under 11?
If yes, I think they will need the signature

If they are actually unrecognizable, then yes they will need counter signing. But ask yourself if that is really true, or just normal changes due to growing older.

Cockneykiwi

They are 15 and 19. Their original photos were taken when they were very young.
Would it be ok to get someone in the UK to countersign their photos then send the application on from there?

Thanks.

moneypenny20

So you aren't renewing the 19 year old's passport, they are applying for an adult one for the first time. Both will need countersigning. What address are you putting on the forms? If you put your Australian address on and the counter signatory is living in Britain you 'could' have issues because it would be hard to prove they had known the applicant the required amount of time.

Why can't you use a teacher who's taught both children? They are on the list and will hold an Australian (Commonwealth country) passport.

Dorothy

Or the GP or clinic nurse.

elonii

We used a free JP service provided by the local library on the Sunny Coast, they were there twice a week! there are lots of JP's floating about in OZ. Maybe have a wee Google and see who is in your local area?

BritInParis

Plenty of people who are qualified to countersign. They do not need to have a British passport - an Australian passport will suffice.

Phenomenem

Sorry to bump this, I'm having trouble finding a countersign as well. How are you able to use a JP? Are they not supposed to have known you personally for two years?

moneypenny20

JPs are employed by the State. They are able to bypass the 2 year rule but you do have to take all relevant documentation. They won't take your word for anything. They won't stamp anything they can't confirm as fact.

Phenomenem

Fantastic, thanks for the quick reply!

Pollyana

Part ofit comes down to the fact that if you use an individual, then they are signing to say that they have known you xx years etc.
If you use a JP they just verify that the person who's passport application they are signing matches the person with the ID who is with them at the time