UK passport renewal in USA - does beard = countersignature?
May 24th 2013, 8:18 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2
UK passport renewal in USA - does beard = countersignature?
Hi from a periodic lurker who has finally found need to ask for knowledge from those who may have already crossed this particular bridge...
My UK passport has expired, so I'm about to go through the overseas renewal process & I find myself wondering if the addition of a beard since my last passport photos were done, equals a significant enough change of physical features to require countersignatures?
I'd prefer not to have another hurdle to jump through, or risk a rejection of the renewal (and having to repay the hefty fee).
Thanks in advance for any insight folks may have on this & of any other current pitfalls to watch out for? (Just saw & noted the comment in the renewal times thread about letting my credit card issuing bank know about the charge from "UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT" - never had to worry about that last time I went through a renewal.)
My UK passport has expired, so I'm about to go through the overseas renewal process & I find myself wondering if the addition of a beard since my last passport photos were done, equals a significant enough change of physical features to require countersignatures?
I'd prefer not to have another hurdle to jump through, or risk a rejection of the renewal (and having to repay the hefty fee).
Thanks in advance for any insight folks may have on this & of any other current pitfalls to watch out for? (Just saw & noted the comment in the renewal times thread about letting my credit card issuing bank know about the charge from "UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT" - never had to worry about that last time I went through a renewal.)
May 24th 2013, 2:14 pm
#2
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,005
Re: UK passport renewal in USA - does beard = countersignature?
If you have any doubt, why not just get the countersignature? I usually get my pics signed even though the only changes have been due to, ahem, getting older -- but better safe than sorry. Any professional can sign for you; I use my vet.
May 24th 2013, 6:31 pm
#3
Wolf In Sheeps Clothing
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 947
Re: UK passport renewal in USA - does beard = countersignature?
Didn't on my application last year.
May 24th 2013, 6:52 pm
#4
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,172
Re: UK passport renewal in USA - does beard = countersignature?
Aye, if in doubt, ask the manager at your local bank, kids teacher, whoever, to just sign it.
But now you mention the beard, how unruly is it?
But now you mention the beard, how unruly is it?
May 24th 2013, 7:37 pm
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 498
Re: UK passport renewal in USA - does beard = countersignature?
Hi from a periodic lurker who has finally found need to ask for knowledge from those who may have already crossed this particular bridge...
My UK passport has expired, so I'm about to go through the overseas renewal process & I find myself wondering if the addition of a beard since my last passport photos were done, equals a significant enough change of physical features to require countersignatures?
I'd prefer not to have another hurdle to jump through, or risk a rejection of the renewal (and having to repay the hefty fee).
Thanks in advance for any insight folks may have on this & of any other current pitfalls to watch out for? (Just saw & noted the comment in the renewal times thread about letting my credit card issuing bank know about the charge from "UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT" - never had to worry about that last time I went through a renewal.)
My UK passport has expired, so I'm about to go through the overseas renewal process & I find myself wondering if the addition of a beard since my last passport photos were done, equals a significant enough change of physical features to require countersignatures?
I'd prefer not to have another hurdle to jump through, or risk a rejection of the renewal (and having to repay the hefty fee).
Thanks in advance for any insight folks may have on this & of any other current pitfalls to watch out for? (Just saw & noted the comment in the renewal times thread about letting my credit card issuing bank know about the charge from "UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT ACCOUNT" - never had to worry about that last time I went through a renewal.)
May 26th 2013, 6:32 am
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2
Re: UK passport renewal in USA - does beard = countersignature?
Ok, that's useful to know.
@Bob & @Nutmegger
That would be a logical path - it's just a pain to find suitable candidates right now. For example, I currently bank on-line (so have never seen my bank manager). No kids or pets, so no teacher/vet etc. As for the beard itself - it's fairly tidy, not one of those epic ones that small creatures can nest in!
Yup, but you do get rather attached to the things. 
@Bob & @Nutmegger
That would be a logical path - it's just a pain to find suitable candidates right now. For example, I currently bank on-line (so have never seen my bank manager). No kids or pets, so no teacher/vet etc. As for the beard itself - it's fairly tidy, not one of those epic ones that small creatures can nest in!
Originally Posted by markwm
Couldn't you just shave the beard off?
May 31st 2013, 10:39 pm
#8
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,195
Re: UK passport renewal in USA - does beard = countersignature?
Simple answer: Would a stranger recognise you were the same person when comparing your old passport photo with your new one?
Yes: No worries.
No: Get it countersigned.
Not sure: Get it countersigned.
Yes: No worries.
No: Get it countersigned.
Not sure: Get it countersigned.
