LOST, STOLEN, DAMAGED PASSPORT COUNTERSIGNING REQUIREMENTS

The process of countersigning a document is when a paper is signed by somebody when that paper has already had a signature from somebody else. In the United Kingdom passport application process, the person providing the second signature has to fulfil certain criteria as well as confirm the authenticity of the passport application.

Under Section 10 of the passport application form, as well as on the back of one of the applicant's passport photos, this second signature is a necessary requirement in all of the following cases

• First Adult Passport
• Second Passport
• Passport Renewal for a child younger than 11 years of age or in the instance of the applicant no longer being recognisable from their existing photograph.
• As a replacement for damaged, lost, or stolen passports.
• To extend a passport's expiration date.

The person who provides the second signature on the application form and the passport photo must:

• have been known to the applicant for a minimum of 24 months
• be able to recognise them / identify them
• have a permanent residence in the United Kingdom
• Have ownership of a valid British or Irish passport. If the applicant does apply from outside of the UK then a US, EU or Commonwealth passport is sufficient but the provider of the second signature will have to provide a clear, colour photocopy of the main passport page of their passport which will need to contain their colour photograph and all personal details. This photocopy needs to be provided with the countersigned application. Please take note that your application will go more quickly through the system if the counter signatory has ownership of a passport from Great Britain or Ireland.
• be employed as or in retirement from a recognised profession such as a building society or bank, the police force, local council, religious leader, teaching, accountancy, engineering or law.
• Also be aware of the fact that they may be contacted and be willing to cooperate with this. This will involve giving his or her passport number on the application form.

For applications for children the second signature provider must also:

• State that they have been an acquaintance of the adult who has provided a signature for Section 9 of the application form for a minimum of 24 months. They must also be willing to confirm that the adult has parental responsibility of that child. The second signature provider will also be needed to confirm the photo of the child.

The counter signatory is unable to perform this duty if they are:

• related to the person lodging the application by either marriage or birth
• in a romantic relationship with the person lodging the application, or living at the same address as that person
• Working for His Majesty's Passport Office.

The counter signatory will be checked by the passport office to ensure it is genuine by checking either their profession and identity or their professional qualification.

Be sure to inform the counter signatory that they may be contacted by the passport office when the passport office is performing these checks.

If the passport office is dissatisfied with your choice of counter signatory, or for some reason cannot get hold of that person, they might request that you provide a new application form with a different person acting as the counter signatory.