I need to renew my sons UK passport, and on the forms it says it needs to be countersigned by someone of standing here who has known us for 2 years.
We haven't been in the country that long, so that is impossible to get.

Will this be a problem.? I can't be the only person in this situation.

Reassurance please !!

I had a friend of my father in law who is a 'Professional Engineer' sign my application. He'd known me for slightly under two years at the time. I'd try and find an appropriate person and if neccessary include a statement that you've only been in the country n months/years (where n<2yrs) and hope that that will suffice. Either than or ring the British High Commission for advice first?

How much under 2 years ??? The Principal at my sons school has countersigned, but stated 1and a half yrs on the form as thats the fact.
Didn't want to ask him to bend the truth for obvious reasons !

I was planning to renew my passport pretty much as soon as I arrived: it will have expired within two years.

Surely there has to be some way to renew passports in that case?

Oh I'd think that 1.5years has got to be good enough with some supporting words surely? School Prinicpal being an upright pillar of society and all that.
How quickly do you need your passport? Might be worth just sending off application with as I say accompanying explanation and seeing what happens?
Other alternative of course is sending the form/photo's to someone of similar standing in UK who has known you for 2 years plus but that is obviously a lot more hassle.

We just found a friendly neighbour of an appropriate profession who fibbed.

What Biiiink said,

When I did mine last year I got the manager at the bank I just got my mortgage from to do it. He was reluctant because bank managers aren't allowed to do Canadian ones and probably don't do UK ones anymore either but I talked him into it and just included a cover letter saying I hadn't known any qualified people for 2 years but here is the bank manager who did my mortgage so he knows who I am and has seen loads of ID documents etc. etc. and they gave me a new passport no problems. I don't think they are as concerned when it is a renewal as they have your old passport to compare the picture to and all your names and details are usually staying the same.

A month down the line now, and we are the proud holders of a shiny new UK passport for my son.
I needn't have worried. I sent the forms in with only a yr and a half on the counter signature, and its all come back fine.

Hun,

Hows the homesickness bug in your house?

Butch

Hi Butch
Thanks for asking, but no change in this camp. We have started to come to the conclusion that a move back is inevitable within the next 6 months or so.....<<<<<<<<<<gulp>>>>>>>>>>

Actually, I'm ok with it now. When i really sat and thought about it, I realised I wasn't really bothered either way, so I guess that says something.

It has been a great adventure, but maybe its just time to go home now.

Are you sure it needs to be countersigned for a renewal? My son's wasn't.
Just a thought.
C