Please note that a GP can only countersign your passport application if they have known you for at least 2 years. Hence if you have not been registered with this Practice for at least 2 years none of the GPs here will be able to countersign. For children under 2 years then the GP needs to have known the parent (s) for at least 2 years. The GP has to sign a legal declaration that he/she knows you and can vouch for your identity.
You will need to make a special appointment to see the GP (a GP you have seen recently) and bring all the necessary documentation with you – see below. There will be a charge for countersigning and you should book your appointment several weeks in advance, as GPs will always deal with ill-patient’s needs before such discretionary work.
You should give the countersignatory:
- your completed application form (signed and dated at section 9)
- photographs
- documents
- fee
- envelope
so that they can seal the application after completing section 10.
Who else can countersign?
Your countersignatory should be a professional person or a person of good standing in the community. The list that follows gives examples of the type of person that would be suitable. If you are not sure who to ask you can call the IPS Passport Adviceline on 0300 222 0000.
- accountant
- airline pilot
- articled clerk of a limited company
- assurance agent of recognised company
- bank/building society official
- barrister
- chairman/director of limited company
- chiropodist
- commissioner of oaths
- councillor (local or county)
- civil servant (permanent), but not someone who works for IPS
- dentist
- director/manager of a VAT-registered charity
- director/manager/personnel officer of a VAT-registered company
- engineer (with professional qualifications)
- financial services intermediary (eg a stockbroker or insurance broker)
- fire service official
- funeral director
- insurance agent (full time) of a recognised company
- journalist
- Justice of the Peace
- legal secretary (fellow or associate member of the Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs)
- licensee of public house
- local government officer
- manager/personnel officer (of a limited company)
- member, associate or fellow of a professional body
- Member of Parliament
- Merchant Navy officer
- minister of a recognised religion (including Christian Science)
- nurse (RGN and RMN)
- officer of the armed services (active or retired)
- optician
- paralegal (certified paralegal, qualified paralegal or associate member of the Institute of Paralegals)
- person with honours (an OBE or MBE, for example)
- pharmacist
- photographer (professional)
- police officer
- Post Office official
- president/secretary of a recognised organisation
- Salvation Army officer
- social worker
- solicitor
- surveyor
- teacher, lecturer
- trade union officer
- travel agent (qualified)
- valuer or auctioneer (fellows and associate members of the incorporated society)
- Warrant Officers and Chief Petty Officers
For more information see:http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Passports/Applicationinformation/DG_174151