PASSPORT VALIDATION

We asked First Trust why they’d charged a regular customer for a signature. They told us there is normally a charge for verifying passport photographs, although the charge can be waived depending on individual circumstances.

Not all banks and building societies charge though! The Bank of Ireland doesn’t, and neither does the Northern Bank. The Ulster Bank doesn’t offer the service for security reasons.

A Home Office spokesman told us...
"There are a wide range of people who can act as countersignatories, a full list for which is on the passports agency website and is reproduced below.
"We understand that some people or organisations may charge for providing countersignatures, but this is essentially a private matter for them. We are confident that the wide range of people who can act as countersignatories means that there should be no barrier to someone obtaining one in order to apply for a passport. Anyone seeking to apply for a passport who is in any doubt or who is having any problems should ring the Passport Enquiry Line on 0870 521 0410."

So who can countersign a passport photograph?

ACCEPTABLE COUNTERSIGNATURES

Or persons of similar standing to the above, working or retired, are acceptable as countersignatories.

PHOTOGRAPHS

A Belfast man e mailed to say - Is it no longer necessary for BRITISH passport application renewals to have the photographs signed and certified?

Who needs a passport photograph countersigned?
The United Kingdom Passport Service website says...
"You can renew your existing standard 10 year British passport once it expires, is full or is shortly due to expire. Using the standard application form, simply return your passport with two new, recent photographs (these do not have to be signed or certified) and payment and a new valid passport will be issued. Please note that your old passport will be cancelled. Please be aware that this may invalidate any visas in the passport. You are recommended to contact the issuing authorities to confirm whether an unexpired visa in a cancelled passport remains valid. To encourage customers to apply early we now offer a facility that enables applicants with unexpired validity in their old passports to receive a credit, up to a maximum of 9 months, in their new passport. However, first time applicants will still need to have their photograph countersigned."

Q. DO I NEED PHOTOGRAPHS FOR A RENEWAL PASSPORT?
A. All passport applications need to be accompanied by two recent photographs of yourself which meet the following criteria:

Taken against a light background (either white, off white, cream or light grey so that your features are distinguishable and contrast against the background).

Clear and of good quality.

Identical.

Printed on normal photographic paper.

Unmounted 45mm x 35mm in size.

Full face (without sunglasses and normally without a hat unless the applicant wears a head covering due to their religious beliefs or their ethnic background, which is acceptable).

Q. DOES MY CHILD NEED TO SUPPLY PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THEIR PASSPORT?
A. All applications must be accompanied by two photographs of the baby or child taken against a light background.

Q. HOW DO I PHOTOGRAPH A 6-MONTH-OLD BABY?
A. In the case of very young babies, the baby's head can be supported as long as the baby's face is clear. A parent's hand in the picture is acceptable. Alternatively, you may choose to have the photograph taken professionally.
We fully appreciate that the appearance of a baby changes very rapidly, but many parents have always elected for their child to have a separate passport and these have been successfully issued for many years without any identity problems.

Q. HOW DO I VALIDATE MY PHOTOGRAPHS?
A. We require that one of the photographs is signed on the back by the professional person who will sign Section 10 of your application. This must be done in the following way;
'I certify that this is a true likeness of (Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms or other title followed by your full name).'
It must then be signed and dated by the signatory to be valid.
It is not sufficient to have the countersignatory just sign the photograph or omit your name and then sign and date the certification.
Children under 16 and babies
The photograph must be signed in this case by someone of suitable standing who has known the person signing section 9 personally for at least two years.

Q. WHAT IF I AM RENEWING A PASSPORT?
A. It is not normally necessary to have section 10 completed or the photograph signed. You will only need to get this done if:
You were under16 when the passport was issued.
Your appearance has changed greatly since the issue of your previous passport.

LISTENERS COMMENTS ON THE CHARGE MADE FOR COUNTERSIGNING A PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH

An Enniskillen caller says - I work for a further education college and I know we certainly endorse photographs for elderly people. I think it’s ridiculous that your listener had to pay. If she goes into her local further education college, I’m sure she will find someone to endorse her photograph

Newry listener says -I went into Post Office and got her countersignature for free.

Belfast caller says - I went to the Post Office in Corn Market the wee lad behind the counter was more than helpful. He organised everything for me and I was out of there within 10 minutes – there was no charge.

Lurgan caller says - I was in Malaysia and my friend lost her passport. We went to the British Embassy and I was asked to countersign her photograph – there was no problem with this.

A Belfast caller says - I think the charge is typical of the First Trust. That is why I am closing my account with them. If you sneeze, they charge you for it!

RELATED LINKS

United Kingdom Passport Service
Passports
Ulster Fly



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