Passport counter-signatory dance - help!

[lnr]

Hmm, I need to find someone who:

• Has known me for at least 2 years
• Can identify Matthew
• Has a current British or Irish passport (and can find the passport number)
• Is not related to me by birth or marriage
• Is on the passport office's list of people in a profession or of good community standing

Anyone immediately want to volunteer? It would probably help if you live near enough to sign it in person too, though we could use the post if absolutely necessary.

I also need to get passport photos done, but that's another issue!

Comments

[hazyjayne.livejournal.com]

If you are desperate I am happy to.

[lnr]

I might ask Jim at work (one of our professors) if he feels he could identify Matthew from a photo, but thanks, if I can't find anyone closer that would be great!

[ceb.livejournal.com]

Hm, I used to be able to but I'm not sure I'm on the list any more.

Ask your doctor/nurse?

[lnr]

Website says it should be someone who knows you personally (eg friend, colleague, neighbour) not just professionally - and I think GPs tend to charge these days (and I'm not sure any of the ones who've met Matthew have known me long enough!)

[rmc28]

"Officer of the University of Cambridge" doesn't appear on that list but I think would be sufficient. It's an e.g. list not an "only these" list. I could do it, though then it becomes a logistics problem (perhaps I could come out to you at the weekend).

If you want to stick to the list, I think you know Mike Pitt and he is a councillor, and councillors get very used to these kind of requests.

[lnr]

Yeah, I can find quite a few Officers, but I'm a bit wary of using that!

The passport office seems in places to be being more strict than their published guidelines at the moment (at least with photos) which makes me nervous.

[rmc28]

Fair enough :-)

[hilarityallen.livejournal.com]

We did decide that 'Officer of the University of Cambridge' would count last time I did a passport application, because there's a published list of who's on it, and they are thus able to be tracked down by officialdom, should officialdom care.

[lnr]

Good to know that actually works if I none of my other leads work.

[lizardc.livejournal.com]

I could potentially do it if you get stuck (teacher and accountant - I get asked a lot). I have known you for over 2 years (albeit mostly online recently) and have certainly seen plenty of pics on Matthew so recognise him! :)

[lnr]

Aha, I'll bear that in mind. Thanks!

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

Much sympathy: this is why Andreas only has an Irish passport which is easier! But not really helpful for you.

[lnr]

Yeah, for an Irish passport I'd need to get hold of the long form of my birth certificate (I only seem to have the short one), the long form of my *dad's* birth certificate, get myself an Irish one, and then get Matthew one ;)

I'm sure we'll find someone really, it's just a bit frustrating that IT professionals (who I know by the bucketload) aren't an obvious fit for their list!

I could wait until January, then borrow one of the teachers from my NCT group - but I've already paid now (using their new-fangled online application!)