SECOND BRITISH PASSPORT COUNTERSIGNING REQUIREMENTS

To countersign a document means to sign a paper that has already been signed by someone else. In the case of a UK passport application, the countersignature can only be executed by a specific person and is required to vouch for the authenticity of the application.

The countersignature is mandatory under Section 10 of the passport application form and on the back of one of the passport photos.

• First Adult Passport
• Second Passport
• Passport Renewal for a child who is not yet 11 years old or when the way the person looks has changed so significantly that they can no longer be recognised from his/her most recent passport.
• When a lost, damaged or stolen passport needs replacing.
• When a passport's expiry date needs to be extended.

The individual who applies their signature to the application form and the photograph must:

• have known or had contact with the applicant for at least the last two years.
• can easily identify the applicant.
• has a residence in the UK.
• Is in possession of a valid, current British or Irish passport. When applying for a passport from another country, an EU, US or Commonwealth passport will suffice but the person providing the second signature will need to hand in a colour photocopy of their main passport page, this is the page which contains their photo, personal details amd passport number. It is important that this photocopy is provided together with the countersigned application. It is likely that your application will be processed more quickly if your counter signatory has a British or Irish passport
• Have an occupation in or be in retirement from a recognised professional industry such as the banking industry, the local police force, local government, the church, education, accountancy, engineering or law.
• Be absolutely obliging and willing to be contacted if necessary, and be happy to provide his or her own passport number on your application form.

For applications on behalf of a child, the counter signatory must also:

• Acknowledge and confirm that they have been a regular acquaintance of the person or parent who has signed Section 9 of the application form for at least the last 2 years. The provider of the countersignature must also state firmly that this person has parental responsibility for the child and confirm that the child's photo is an accurate representation of the child.

It is forbidden for the counter signatory to be:

• a relation of the applicant/li>
• married to the applicant, living with them or in a relationship with them
• Someone who works for His Majesty's Passport Office.

• Be aware that the passport office will run checks that the counter signatory is genuine by checking some of the information provided including, identity, profession or qualifications.
• It is important that the counter signatory is informed that the passport office may contact them if necessary in order to perform these checks.
• If the passport office is not satisfied with your choice of person for the second signature, or for any reason cannot reach the counter signatory, they are likely to ask you to complete a new application form with a different person providing the countersignature.